2000 ram van 6 cyl. For 2 years it threw idle air control code. Replaced twice. Always ran anyway. The one day Driving down highway at 70 and all electrical lost. Coasted to shoulder. It cranked and restarted. Happened again twice while limping home. Next day started it in drive and it ran but really rough, like missing out. Next try or two it deteriorated further until it wouldn't start. Mechanic says he doesn't have time to diagnose it and believes possibly mice chewed wires. He suggested start testing wires going into computer for ohms. Thinks computer likely shot, too. Dodge will not look at it. Say it's too old. I want to repair it. Only 80k miles and ran great before this happened. Any suggestions? All appreciated.

 

Did you keep a list of the DTC codes?

With the key on, can a scan tool still communicate with the ECM?

 

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It was always P0505
Battery dead now but I would imagine it would throw same code. I can check. It's at my farm.
I replaced the idle air control 2x. Code returned both times. Ran great, strong like always, until it did what I described above.

 

If the idle control is inoperable maybe the air valve isn't resting in a far enough open position to allow the engine to run properly... especially at cold start for higher idle. Manually opening the throttle should help like on a carbureted engine

There is a pinpoint test for your code, but it sound like their are bigger issues if the vehicle's electrical system shutdown while driving.

I'd check to make sure all major power and ground points are clean and tight.

Is the battery dead from just sitting or has it been a recurring problem? If recurring you have parasitic draw somewhere.

Battery issues can cause stranger problems with electronic systems. Any other testing beyond visual inspection shouldn't be done without a healthy fully charged battery (12.6 Volts = 100%).

 

Thanks a lot. Yes battery dead from sitting 18 months. I will see if it will hold charge.