2004.5 2500 Cummons engine shuts off and gauges go to zero when hit a bump

[McKeeJ]

My 67K mile Ram 2500 QC 4x4 manual engine dies and gauges go instantly to zero occasionally when I hit a minor bump. Usually engine and gauges come back on after a momentary hesitation but not always. Cruise control dash 'Cruise' light always goes off after every hesitation no matter how brief. Sometimes engine stays dead and and gauges at zero while I coast to a stop in gear. Can get power to restore by hitting another bump or popping clutch to cause engine to jerk. Engine cranks but does not restart while coasting with clutch depressed. So far has restarted on its own before coming to a complete dead stop. Any ideas?

 

[p-Bar]

Loose/bad ground(s) battery clamps

 

[seafish]

^^^what he said

Start with a close inspection of ALL battery and ground connections.
Look and feel for CLEAN and TIGHT … if not, then remove, clean and tighten them.
Then post back what you find.

 

[McKeeJ]

Relatively new batteries, cables/clamps were and are clean/tight at all four battery posts. Have not tracked all cables to other ends; I will follow all wires/cables to see where they go and condition. I am suspicious of the power distribution box (TIPM) because the radio continues to play while engine and speedo/tach gauges are dead. Also know for sure power thru ignition start switch is good because once I had time to push the clutch in and cranked engine while coasting on I-70 dead engine. That time engine restarted after 1/3 mile dead coast from 65mph to end of No Name Exit when I hit a small bump at low speed.

 

[seafish]

I am suspicious of the power distribution box (TIPM)

That is a possibility too…what year is your truck?
Corrosion and/or a loose connection at the TIPM could also do what you are describing.


That said, have you checked battery charging and resting voltage at each battery?
Might be a failing crossover cable causing voltage drop.

 

[McKeeJ]

2004.5 Cummins. Two batteries, will separate and check individually but no indications of any charging problems or weak batteries. Cranks strong (and starts quickly) at 10*F after two days of sitting at -5* to 25*.

 

[Ozymandias]

Start to wiggle cables and bundle and connectors while idling.
Hit TIPM with your fist.

You should also see some codes when the engine goes flat but not the whole vehicle.

 

[MedicPathetic]

I was having all sorts of weird electrical issues and it turned out to be a loose connection on the yellow wire coming out of the TIPM box. This helped me rule out the TIPM though: https://rvtransporterhelp.com/3rd-gen-dodge-pdm-and-fcm-interesting-finds-2003-2-t700.html