5.9 L V8 3500 Dodge Engine Problem

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Bob Fay - 12 Jan 2006 19:11 GMT

I have a 2001 3500 Dodge Van with a 5.9 L V8 engine that has worried me
with an intermittent problem. I use it to tow my desert race truck and fear
that it is going to leave me stranded some time.

On two occasions in the desert, I have tried to start the engine and it
would only idle. When I would try to accelerate the engine would die. I
tried several times to restart it both in park and neutral. The first time
this occurred it eventually started and ran fine. On the second occasion,
the battery had gone dead and was being jumped from another vehicle. Several
times it started and idled, but died when I pressed the accelerator. It
finally started and I could gradually accelerate and then it was ok to
drive.

Has anyone had a similar experience? Any ideas for check points are
appreciated.

Jim

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mongomopar - 12 Jan 2006 21:10 GMT

do a complete tuneup and replace the fuel filter. if this doesn't help
take it to a dealership and have the codes read or buy a code reader.

bryon

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Tom Lawrence - 12 Jan 2006 23:17 GMT

> Has anyone had a similar experience? Any ideas for check points are
> appreciated.

How old's the battery? You didn't do it any favors by draining it. Have it
load-tested, and replace it if it's even suspect. Start with the simple
stuff...

You can check for any stored codes by cycling the ignition key three times
from OFF to ON. They'll display on the odometer, though I wouldn't think
there would be any. Doesn't hurt to check.

As far as the fuel filter.... better to just check the presure at the fuel
rail first if you suspect a fuel delivery problem. Much easier than
dropping the tank and removing the fuel pump module to see that, in all
likelihood, the filter screen is just fine.

Is it safe to assume that the rest of the maintnance has been kept up with?
Plugs, cap, and rotor changed at around 30K intervals? Wires changed around
60K? Throttle body cleaned at least once?

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