8.2

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$300
Average Mileage:
145,250 miles
Total Complaints:
13 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (7 reports)
  2. replace computer or brain box (2 reports)
  3. replace the negative wires from the battery (1 reports)
  4. replaced computer (1 reports)
  5. replaced the wires on negative side of battery (1 reports)
  6. tighten engine inline block (1 reports)
2001 Dodge Ram 1500 electrical problems

electrical problem

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2001 Dodge Ram 1500 Owner Comments

problem #13

May 302015

Ram 1500 5.9L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 154,538 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I bought this truck in November 2014 with 138000 miles on it. Drove fine up until march 30th or so is when it first shut off while driving. It didn't happen again until June when it got really hot here in Texas. Sometimes it would turn right back on other times I'd have to wait upwards of 2 hours for it to turn over again! I ended up replacing fuel pump and line, battery, cap and rotor, and ignition. Ended up finally replacing the main computer/brain box didn't have any problems for a few weeks then tranny went. Had transmission rebuilt a week ago now died on me 3 days ago. Hasn't died since but now throwing code for solenoid sensor in tranny. Was driving it yesterday when it started shifting all crazy and jerking. Replacing main computer AGAIN to fix dying problem but also going to have solenoid sensor checked as well. Not sure if brain is causing the truck to die while driving or if it is sensor. Definitely something up with sensor for it to be shifting and jerking as it did.

- Arlie L., Granbury, TX, US

problem #12

Feb 062012

Ram 1500 5.9L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 129,126 miles

Well we pulled in to Buchheit Parking lot and went into the store. Came out got in the truck and it would not start, and when I said wouldn't start engine wouldn't turn over, gauge were dead, and then I told the wife to turn on the headlight and I think they burned because that really throwed me for a loop. but I'm not going say for sure or swear that they did ,but I know that there two separate power leg coming out of the Fuse Box and or the Fuse and Relay Box under the Hood.

And then the wife told me that where the odometer normally was that it said (No Bus Bar) or (No Power Bar),So the wife googled the Problem Told the year and Make of the truck and it told to loose and tight The bus Line in the Fuse box and ,that fix it until now but I always had some underlying problem as well since the transmission was rebuilt , that was going on until the Engine line in or no bus bar showed up.

- Jack M., Advance, MO, US

problem #11

May 012010

Ram 1500

  • Automatic transmission
  • 186,411 miles

Driving Then RPM's Drop And Motor Shuts Off , Turn It Back On And It Fires Up Then RPM's Drop Again And Shuts Off, Have To Step On Accelarator To Keep RPM's Up Then Shift In To Gear. Runs OK Til Let Go Of The Gas Then It RPM's Drop And Shuts Off. We Checked Spark Plugs And Voltage Regulator Is Sparking. Do I Need New Spark Plugs? Or Is It Another Problem?

- natedogg1027, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada

problem #10

Apr 272010

Ram 1500 5.9L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 200,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I bought this truck in 04 it had already had the computer replaced on a recall which they did not tell me, I had to replace it in 07 when it caught fire and now I am replacing it again in 2010, seems to be an every 3 year thing when I contacted Dodge they were very rude and told me after weeks of arguing with them that my file had been sealed and sent to an attorney if I wished to continue get a lawyer, they laughed and hung up. The truck is paid off and I really don't want another payment so a trade in is out of the queation

- Tondra L., Holmes Beach, FL, US

problem #9

Nov 252009

Ram 1500 VAN 3.9L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 142,000 miles

I recently had a recall on transmission indicator (Park problem, Dealer fixed). I told my mechanic about this and after a couple hours of troubleshooting, he removed the shroud on the steering column and found the connector on the ignition switch had worked partially off. As an added measure, I had the switch replaced.

Update from Mar 25, 2012: The problem returned. The "no bus" is a result of the loss of the VSS voltage from the computer. I ordered a computer that came programed, ready to go. I installed it and have had no other problems. While the ignition switch had overheated contacts, replacing it was not the cure. I found the auto computer company online and was pleased with the service.

Update from Mar 25, 2012: I did have more problems. I ultimately had to replace the the computer which generates the VSS voltage. I have had no more problems. I ordered my computer from an auto computer company in Florida which sent it, programed and ready to go. The cost was, as I recall, $268.00 delivered. I am totally satisfied and it is still a daily driver.

- William S., Valdosta, GA, US

problem #8

Oct 232008

Ram 1500 5.9L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 181,000 miles

definitely replace the negative wires from the battery this fixes the engine shutting off !!!

to fix the "no bus" i actually got really pissed at it one day and slammed my fist down on the dash over the instrument cluster kinda hard (not hard enough to break anything) and the error message stopped coming up i did it about three months ago. i know... im awesome

- Kendall M., Lakewood, CO, US

problem #7

Mar 252009

Ram 1500 5.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 113,780 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I had the vehicle inspected with a check engine light. Received diagnostic codes for corrective action. Repaired all listed problems. Disconnected Negative battery cable to erase check codes. Started vehicle and drove around block and truck died at stop sign three times....didn't want to idle. After more driving no problems and check engine light did not come back on. Ready to take back for re inspection and when I started truck, no gauges were working, all indicator lights came on, Odometer started flashing and switched over to "No bus". What the heck is that. Have driven vehicle several miles and no change but vehicle has not died. Going to pull battery cable back off and clean for good ground and recheck.

- Keith M., Webster Groves, MO, US

problem #6

Jan 072009

Ram 1500 5.9L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 171,000 miles

the truck for no reason just shut off and or the dash lights would all come on and beep at me i do have a solution to the engine shutting off i actually just replaced the wires on the negative side of the battery it was only about $15 and like ten minutes worth of work i strongly recommend this fix. the engine doesn't shut off anymore but all today the dash lights kept turning on and beeping it scares the sh*t out of me cause i assume that the engine is about to shut off. every time it does this i put the truck in neutral whenever i get off the gas of stop i try to keep the rpms up but i did get brave on my way home and would let the lights come on and stop with it in gear and it never shut off

email me at bpwkendall@yahoo.com and let me know how it worked for you and also if you have any solution to the dash light problem it would be greatly appreciated and if i figure it out i will for sure post it on this site

- Kendall M., Lakewood, CO, US

problem #5

Jul 272008

Ram 1500 2WD EXT CAB 5.9L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 175,000 miles

I replaced ignition coil (did not work) I replaced a sensor behind the alternator (did not work) i was told it might be the distributer, distributer cap, dirty fuel pump, over heating fuel pump or fuel lines. Heres what i noticed, Once the temp gauge reached 210 degrees the truck shuts off, I would wait 25-40 minutes the truck would cool down & start up now i don't know if cooling off is an issue or what but the truck starts right up after i let it sit. My truck does need a tune up but it is getting spark my dad took it to pep boys and done a fuel test to see if it was getting the right amount of fuel and i think the guy said that it was getting the right amount. This problem is really a pain in the but i need to fix it and no one can seem to help. PLEASE HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

- Rick F., West Haven, CT, US

problem #4

Mar 072008

Ram 1500 318 5.9L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 106,000 miles

i am having the same problem as others. The engine will shut off while going down the road. no bus flashes in the odometer spot. it will turn over and over but wont start. i noticed that i lose the transmission gear indicator light on the digital transmission lights.Once the indicator light reappears the van will start right up .Its getting more and more frequent and is a pain in the ass.After two mechanics and a couple hundred dollars later i did my own trial and error.The coil, coil wire, crankshaft sensor and the ignition switch were all replaced not changing the problem at all.I then ran a test light on the PCM pins. The light is very weak .I test the plug that plugs into this pin and it is very bright.Im thinking it it either the PCM or the plug that plugs in. Im still running tests on these two objects.I will have more info later.

- Ben M., Omak, WA, US

problem #3

Oct 012007

Ram 1500 5.9L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I'll be driving and the engine just shuts off in the middle of the road!!! I can't push the truck to the side of the road, so now I HAVE to drive on the right side of the road all of the time "just in case" it shuts off again. It has been doing it a lot lately. I have taken it to 4+ mechanics, diagnostics have been done, replaced every wire I can think of and still no improvements!!!! It's so annoying and with children in the truck, it's just not safe. I feel like buying a new truck, but I JUST finished paying this one off!!!! I've tried to find any info I can on the internet and there really isn't much out there. If anyone else out there is having this same problem, please let me know. I need HELP!!! And FAST!!!

- whitestarfish, Las Vegas, NV, US

problem #2

Oct 102007

Ram 1500 V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 41,000 miles

MY HUSBAND BOUGHT THE USED TRUCK FROM THE DEALER WITH ONLY 14K ORIGINAL MILES. -HE WAS TOLD BY DEALER, PREVIOUS OWNER UP- GRADED TO SOMETHING LARGER. APPROX 1 - 2 YRS LATER, PREVIOUS OWNER (A CONCRETE WORKER WORKING ON OUR BLOCK RECOGNIZED HIS TRUCK) HE SAID HE GOT RID OF THE TRUCK BECAUSE DOME LITE NEVER WORKED, AND BECAUSE THERE WAS RUST IN THE INTERIOR UNDERNEATH UPHOLSTERY. AFTER RECENTLY PAYING OFF MY TRUCK WITH ONLY 41K ORIGINAL MILES, MY HUSBAND WAS OFFERED BY A DODGE DEALER TO TRADE TRUCK IN OR THEY WOULD BUY TRUCK..MY HUSBAND WANTED THEM TO BUY TRUCK AND THEY NEVER RETURNED CALLS. NOW THE INSTRUMENT PANEL HAS MALFUNCTIONED INDICATING THE WORDS..NO BUS...AND THE COST WILL BE $1,500...RECOMMENDATION...DONT BUY A DODGE TRUCK...DON'T BUY AMERICAN MADE.......

- Martha D., San Francisco, CA, US

problem #1

Aug 072007

(reported on)

Ram 1500 SLT 318 V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 188,222 miles

driving my truck has become a real pain in the butt, it shuts off going down the road. It acts like fuel but a new pump changed nothing. A new fuel system relay changed nothing. Nothing shows on the codes, other than the truck shutting off it shows no problem on the computer, except when it shuts off it shows NO BUS where mileage should be. PLEASE HELP WITH INFO......

- Dennis W., Kingston, OK, US

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