2004.5 engine stopped running while driving

[MBPXJ]

I bought a 2004.5, crew cab, long bed, Laramie, 4x4 with 290,000 miles on it a handful of months ago. 

 

Engine is stock, I had to rebuild the transmission a month after buying it (that was a fun surprise) it had previously been shifting good, until it left the family stranded while towing our small toy hauler on vacation.

 

While driving down a bumpy dirt road yesterday all the lights on the dash flashed & the engine turned off...I pulled over, put it in park reset the key & the truck started right up. About 7 miles further it did the same thing.

 

I eventually got to work. On the way home, stayed on asphalt, it shut down again shortly after leaving work while driving on a bumpy driveway.

 

I do not know if it is related or not but a week or two before this happened the fuel tank was around 1/4 full & the truck would have to crank for 5-8 seconds before it would start. Sometimes it would start right away, and then die out & I would have to hold the key longer for it to continue running. But after I got a full tank it has not had the starting problem again. But I have yet to go through another tank of fuel. 

 

I have been running Everyday Diesel Treatment in every tank. I do not believe that the previous owner ran any fuel treatment. 

 

I do not drive the truck daily. Just for home depot runs, weekends, etc.

 

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Tractorman]

I would start with simple things first. 

 

*  Check for any DTC's - write them down and clear them

*  Check all battery and ground connections, including cross-over cable.

*  Replace the fuel filter.  Cut it open and check for water or any other contamination.  Before removing the old filter, drain some fuel from the housing into a clean, clear container.

 

How old are the batteries?  What condition are they in?  These trucks require the electrical system to be in excellent condition for reliability.

 

- John

 

 

[Mopar1973Man]

19 hours ago, MBPXJ said:

I bought a 2004.5, crew cab, long bed, Laramie, 4x4 with 290,000 miles on it a handful of months ago. 

Firs thought is Injectors if they never been changed. Injectors for CR engines are only good for about 100k miles and require replacement. No injector will last beyond 100k miles while keeping the set pop pressure.

 

19 hours ago, MBPXJ said:

I have been running Everyday Diesel Treatment in every tank. I do not believe that the previous owner ran any fuel treatment. 

Be careful injector cleaners and fuel treatments can cause more problems. I've a long article about fuel additives. I will always suggest 2 Cycle Oil over any other product. I typically mix as 128:1 ratio and it would keep the injector lubricated and not taking as much wear. 

 

19 hours ago, MBPXJ said:

While driving down a bumpy dirt road yesterday all the lights on the dash flashed & the engine turned off...I pulled over, put it in park reset the key & the truck started right up. About 7 miles further it did the same thing.

I would start with the power and grounds first. Being the entire system is dying out. TIPM could be a cause being the CANBus controls everything by digital messages for turning power on and off at the TIPM. Let verify the power is staying on for ll the systems. Then the next is to watch the crank sensor and see if the tachometer is getting wild or doing odd RPM's once the crank signal is gone then everything will shutdown.