My 1996 ram 5.9 gas won't run, it will kick over if I stand on the gas pedal and eventually starts ruff. But as soon as I put it is gear, died and will not restart. I've had 3 mechanics look at it and they can not figure out what it is and it's been two weeks since this has all gone south.

So far I've done the following:

New battery to replace the weak one.
Six months ago I put idle control valve.one mechanic said it could bee the throttle body, but he only looked at the truck for 5 minutes and barely spoke english, so not sure uh he even knew what he was doing. Tired of this problem and want to fix it now. I can't even find used or rebuilt throttle body assemblies as it's not a common part to go out (not sure if it is that anyway).
Any ideas would be appreciated.

What codes does it show?

Ill have to get those tomorrow, I'm out for work and won't be home til midnite.

Back to basics, Fuel, Spark, Compression.

We will Assume decent compression as it was running.

It sounds like it almost starts then dies, so I will guess good spark---But it has been a while on a tune up, I bet you the cap/rotor/plugs/wires are pretty whooped and this will put uneccesary strain on the coil. The result is a poor running vehicle that in certian instances can barely run at all. Use factory stuff for the ignition, its not something you want to do twice---pay a little more now, or alot later. Standard Champion plugs will do just fine, its what the factory used---do not get talked into something else.

Which brings us to fuel. What your describing to me sounds like a fuel pump on its way out. But only one way to check---measure the fuel pressure. Super easy on a magnum engine, remove the schrader valve cap on the fuel rail, and connect the gauge. Not exactly sure on the spec, but I believe the pressure needs to be around 50-60 psi.

I highly doubt its anything to do with the throttle body, or IAC motor--but never say never. But you need to start with the basics and find some better "mechanics" to work for you.

Fuel pumps do go bad in these trucks, that would be the first I'd look into.

Just got back, was out on family business and work and couldn't get to my truck til today.

I went out to it just now, turned on the key and it started without a problem. Ran well for 5 minutes without any problems. Put it into gear and it does like usual. I did the engine codes and got a 12 and 55, which men disconnected battery at last 50 key starts, which is correct since I got a new battery and 55 in end codes. Still wondering if the throttle body is the culprit like the mechanic said. If it was the cool, it wouldn't start at all, and if it was the fuel pump, it wouldn't be able to run for as long as it did. Kinda stumped, need to to get my blue beasty back to running again.


By the way, will a 1998 throttle body work on a 1996, or know what years will interchange with mine?

Had the same problem with my 97. I put a new iac valve in ran fine for a bit then started dying again. Was told I needed to pull the throttle body off and cleaned it real well and it solved my problems

Jump the relay for the fuel pump and listen to it with the gas cap off. If it sounds like a nice even buzz, it's probably fine, if it's noisy, growly, grinding or not running at all, I would suspect the pump. There's very little to go wrong on a throttle body, it has, if I remember correctly, a TPS, IAC and maybe an intake air temp sensor.