Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) transmission & Cruise control

[Jack in Alaska]

I just made a trip from Anchorage to Yuma, Az.
Driving down the road, north of Ft. St John, B. C. with the cruise on I came up behind an 18 wheeler. I pulled out to pass. Car coming. Tapped brake to slow and release cruise. Then... ... all hell broke loose. The accelerator pedal went to the floor by itself and I could not get the cruise control to release. I stood on the brakes to get back in my lane while trying to turn off the cruise, let up on the brakes and the truck tried to run into the back of the 18 wheeler. I pushed in the clutch but the engine tried to run away.
I turned off the key, lost braking and power steering, turned key back on and the truck took off again. I turned off the key and coasted to a stop on the shoulder. Now I started the engine and it tried to run away, this happened 3 times. Looked for a fuse to disable the cruise with out succsess. Found out there is not one. Then started the engine again and it was fine. It set about 20 min. while I messed with the fuses before I tried to start the engine.
At Inland Dodge in Dawson Creek they completely checked out the system and could not find anything wrong and that will be $79 please.
It actually does work ok now but I am real suspicious of it. The copilot is not convinced it is ok either.
Several days later, cruising down I-5 north of Vancouver, Wash. , clunk... ... . there went 5th. gear. It was 11 AM on Fri. A call to 5 star dealer Vancouver Dodge. He said if I could get it there by 1 PM it would be done by 5 PM. So down I-5 50 miles we went in 4th gear. I got there in time and they got it out by 5 PM. Great place to do business with.
As an added bonus... the diesel mech. there told me what was wrong with my cruise control but they did not have the part to replace it. The part is the APPS or Accelerator Pedal Position Sensor. He said that is the only thing on the truck that would make the cruise do what it did.
Any comments on what happened to me? Anyone else had it happen?
Sorry for the long diatribe but I thought you should know what happened.

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1998. 5;24v,3500,4x4,SLT,QC,5 spd,3. 54LS,4whl. ABS,all options,18k lb. Reese 5th whl. hitch,full length diam. plate running boards,eyebrows & hood dam,bed edges,bedhooks;gray Rhinohide liner,Pac Brake,britebox,"deepdish"mats,matching shell,Sandstone & camel leather,stainless fender eyebrows,exhaust turndown pipe;brush guard,SPA digital boost/egt(pre-turbo) gauge,pillar mount, darkened door windows, Lowered rear end 4".
See My Truck
1980,W200 Powerwagon,4 door crewcab,360 gas,747 auto,68k orig. miles,4 coats of Zeebart.
The Powerwagon
My Boat

 

[Guest00]

Glad you were able to contain the runaway. No clues but glad you were able to at least find out what the problem was and get 5th taken care of.

 

[Ram_Kowboy]

My heart is still in my throat. Glad you are all okay. DC should know about your experience before someone gets hurt.

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98 Properly Valved 4x4 SWB QC ISB A/T Metallic Red w/ tan cloth interior, DC nerf bars, DC two piece mud-flaps, 275 h. p. injectors, Monroe Gas Magnums, Armor Tuff spray in bed liner, Goodyear Wrangler ATS 285/75r/16, BD Heavy Duty Valve body. Walker 21468 thru flow muffler,Cobra 29 NWST CB. American Racing Wheels. Power Edge EZ control module.

 

[AKDrifter]

I'll be using my cruise alot this season, is there any test that can be preformed prior to this almost deadly experience; glad to here you are still here around Jack!

 

[JR2]

Hey Dad (Jack in Alask) - I think now would be the perfect time to tell the copilot you need a brand new truck to make sure everything is okay.

Have fun in Mexico, see you in May.

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John D. Rathert Jr.
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01 2500 SLT+ QC LWB 4x4 Auto 3. 54 rear end, Forrest Green Sport with all options avail. DC Nerf Bars, DC Grill Gard, DC mud flaps, Line-X bed liner, Leer 160XL Topper, Power Edge, EZ Edge, SPA Boost/EGT Gauge on pillar mount, DDT's torque converter - valve body combo, 275 RV injectors, Diesel Dynamics 4" Exhaust and a KN RE0880 where the air box use to be.
New turbo (HX40), SS fuel lines and bigger injectors in planning stages... .

See My Truck

Dads truck: 98. 5 3500 SLT QC LWB 4x4
Brother Truck: 92 W250 SLT CC LWB 4x4 (Dads old truck)

See 5 Diesels and a Gasser
Winter fun: 2000 Skidoo Summit 700
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FREE HVAC!!
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[Jack in Alaska]

It has been several weeks now since "The Runaway". Finally calmed down.
I have used the cruise constantly every day and it has worked with out problem.
I do not know of any check for the problem as it seems to be intermitten and rare. Maybe cold weather had a hand in it.
Off to Mexico tomorrow for a month . No cold weather there to worry about.
Th only problem will be possibly running out of margaritas..... Jack

 

[illflem]

Jack,I had the same problem with a Toyota PU,only it went to full throttle on a busy 25 mph street,I didn't even have the CC on.
What I finally figured out was the newly replaced windshield was leaking just a little and water was running under the dash into the CC module. The CC only acted up when it was raining. Fixed the windshield and it fixed the cruise at the same time.

[This message has been edited by illflem (edited 02-15-2001). ]

 

[redram3]

Mine does it from time to time, seems to do it when weather turns cold.