my 96' Ram 1500 with 5.9 magnum dies when I let off the gas. Just started yesterday and now has gotten worse through today. As I as slowing to a stop light or making a turn, the truck turns off and with power steering, that ain't good. Also noticed the operating rpm's are really low, like 200-500rpm at idle instead of 800rpm's I normally see. When I'm in the gas, it drives fine, no hesitation or stalling, just when I let off the gas completly.

Now I did the basics and started with air intake and filter arefine and I don't see any cracked lines. Then and checked the exhaust to see if there was low pressure or lower temp from a blocked or plugged catalytic converter, but that seemed to be fine. Could there be blockage somewhere in the fuel system or something else might be the problem?

There is a good chance it is the IAM.

This is an Idle air Motor.

It bolts onto the rear of the throttle body with a 25 torx wrench. Plugs in too with a simple lift the tab and pull.
Does the idle ever come up to the right rpm?
If it does leave it running and unplug the IAM.
It will set the check engine light, but go drive it to see if the problem changed. If so replace it.
This IAM controls idle and closes when you move the trottle away from idle. It is apparently stuck in the closed position. You shouldn't push or pull on the plunger if you take it off.
The plunger will cause a nuclear war if you mess with it!!!!!!!!!!!!1

How old is the battery? I had to change the old battery out of my 96 318 Dakota and after that I never had the same problem, that you are experiencing, again.

I would consider the iac as suspect.

As mentioned, the IAC is a prime suspect. Also, the TPS comes to mind. It also wouldn't hurt to check the fuel pressure.

Clean the Throttle body and IAC passage. Get all the buildup around the throttle plates and the throat clean in the throttle body. That will fix it 99 out of 100 times. Ron

thanks for the info, will check that out. Battery in less than 2 years old and shows full charge on it.

Do what 383man said clean throttle bores and air passages usually fixes them .if not bad IAC motor on rear of throttle body

Had the same problem with my 96 5.2 and it was a bad battery.

Yes if the battery voltage gets to low like on a slow crank or it needs a hotshot the PCM will forget where the IAC moter steps were and has to relearn. But if the throttle body is good and clean then it should still idle even if it looses the IAC memory. That would call for a battery and a good throttle body cleanung. Ron

I had the same problem on my '96 Ram. Problem was the battery. It tested good, but still didn't hold enough charge. Change the battery and you will be good to go.

Don't rule out the gasket on the bottom pan of the intake. Mine started out like that and progressed into hard starting and idling. I would do what is suggested first, replace the IAC and douche out the throttle body.

Also if above checks out COIL go bad if rusted on bottom. been there done that around 9 times on various 360s

I've had this happen several times over the years, with my 1996 Dodge Ram, 5.2 Magnum. It's been the battery (once), the TPS (once) and the IAC (twice). I have a good friend, a Chrysler mechanic, who I consulted the first time the IAC crapped out. He asked me if I was running a K&N filter (I was). He said to get rid of it as the oil can get caught up on the IAC and gum it up.

My 98 5.2 acted exactly like that.I tried a few things with no success.Then on a suggestion from the chrysler dealers mechanic.I changed the crankshaft position sensor.That was the problem.It only acted up on low RPM's and with the standard transmission I fought it for 3 days .It has ran fine for two years now .And is actually fairly inexpensive to buy one.