please help - van stalls A LOT

Would greatly apreciate any advice on this.

My work van (2002 Dodge Ram Van 1500 - 80k miles) is giving me a lot of trouble. In the morning when I start it up, it runs perfectly fine for about 15 minutes. Then it abruptly starts stalling. Once it starts stalling, it stalls at almost every red light. If I'm in heavy traffic where a lot of stop and go is required, it'll stall many times. In a parking lot, I sometimes have to restart the van a few times to get in and out of a parking space. Right before it stalls, I hear a clicking noise down towards the left side of the dash. If I'm driving above 30mph or so, the van seems to jerk as if it was trying to stall, and the oil level guage drops all the way to the left as if the van was shut off. I hear a clicking noise down toward the left side of the dash when this happens, too. It always starts right back up - usually the oil guage returns to normal, and sometimes it remains buried as if the van was shut off - even though the van runs fine and does not overheat.

I took it to a mechanic who charged me $100 to hook it up to some sort of sensor, only to tell me that there were no faulty codes detected, but he thought it might be the ignition switch - which he replaced. However, the problem continues. So, I stopped by the Dodge dealership and they said that the sensors they use there are much more hi-tech and that it would definitely pinpoint the problem, but it's going to cost me $150.

Looking under the hood, I placed my fingers on the relays by the battery as someone started the van. As it stalled, I noticed 2 things: 1. The engine seems to slow down a little right before it stalls...... 2. The relay under one of my fingers (ASD) clicks right before and right after it stalls. Could a faulty ASD Relay be the cause of this?

I know I should just take it to a mechanic and get it fixed, but I really don't have the money for it right now. So, please... any advice at all.

Thanks.

the ASD could be faulty, but it only shuts off power to the coil and fuel pump if it detects an undervoltage or overvoltage. Have your fuel pump checked out; if that's ok, have your cam sensor & crank sensor checked out to make sure they're making the necessary voltage. From there, if everything looks ok, I'd go with the ASD relay. I should've mentioned this from the beginning, but try swapping your ASD relay with another relay in the underhood fuse box. If it is still doing the same thing, then check the other things I mentioned. If not, get a new relay.

Thanks very much for the advice. This morning I tried swapping the ASD relay, but it did not affect the problem.

I have a voltage meter. Would I be able to check the voltage on the cam sensor and crank sensor myself? If so, what reading should I get on each of them?

Thanks again.

It sounds like you may have an Idle Air Control problem. Try removing the IAC valve on the rear of the throttle body and clean the carbon and varnish build up with carb cleaner and a small horse hair brush (Stiff brissels). Also while you are there clean the inside of the Throttle Body. If that does not work you may need to replace it with a new one. (IAC VALVE)

Have you solved your problem yet? All the above could be true, but have you checked the battery and positive battery cable? I had a bad battery and bad cable once that caused a similar problem; replaced both and the vehicle was fine.

:2cents: Would greatly apreciate any advice on this.

My work van (2002 Dodge Ram Van 1500 - 80k miles) is giving me a lot of trouble. In the morning when I start it up, it runs perfectly fine for about 15 minutes. Then it abruptly starts stalling. Once it starts stalling, it stalls at almost every red light. If I'm in heavy traffic where a lot of stop and go is required, it'll stall many times. In a parking lot, I sometimes have to restart the van a few times to get in and out of a parking space. Right before it stalls, I hear a clicking noise down towards the left side of the dash. If I'm driving above 30mph or so, the van seems to jerk as if it was trying to stall, and the oil level guage drops all the way to the left as if the van was shut off. I hear a clicking noise down toward the left side of the dash when this happens, too. It always starts right back up - usually the oil guage returns to normal, and sometimes it remains buried as if the van was shut off - even though the van runs fine and does not overheat.

I took it to a mechanic who charged me $100 to hook it up to some sort of sensor, only to tell me that there were no faulty codes detected, but he thought it might be the ignition switch - which he replaced. However, the problem continues. So, I stopped by the Dodge dealership and they said that the sensors they use there are much more hi-tech and that it would definitely pinpoint the problem, but it's going to cost me $150.

Looking under the hood, I placed my fingers on the relays by the battery as someone started the van. As it stalled, I noticed 2 things: 1. The engine seems to slow down a little right before it stalls...... 2. The relay under one of my fingers (ASD) clicks right before and right after it stalls. Could a faulty ASD Relay be the cause of this?

I know I should just take it to a mechanic and get it fixed, but I really don't have the money for it right now. So, please... any advice at all.

Thanks.:2cents: idle control valve had that problem easy fix 35bucks maybe as easy to change as a spark plug

I had a huge stalling problem with my 1995 Dodge Ram Van. After a year of trying everything and hiring mechanics I found a solution.

1. Remove air cleaner and all sensors attached to the intake system.

2. Get a tooth brush, rags and a little clean transmission fluid.

3. Gently scrub and wipe away all areas and surfaces to remove old gasoline varnish.

4. Wipe everything clean and reassemble.

I also got an air compressor and blew out dust from every place I would see under the hood and inside the engine compartment. (Note: I attend Burning Man and get a lot of nasty desert dust and dry lakebed salt sticking to the engine.)

Turn on ignition to accessory position and carefully unhook battery cable to reset computer. Leave off for a few minutes and reattach. (WARNING: Risk of electric shock! Don't short it out either.)

This worked for me. Will it work for you? I don't know. Attempt at your own risk. Good luck.