4 Wheel Drive/SUVs: truck didnt want to go then quit working, dodge ram 1500, blown fuse

Question
i have a 1998 dodge ram 1500 the i was driving going about 45 when i pushed the gas it boggged out then it slowly died out. then now it wont start agian and i dont know what to do helpme

Answer
Ian,

This could be numerous things.  The first thing to do, is see if it's due to lack of gas, or no spark.  It sounds like you lost gas flow to the engine.  This could be anything from a plugged fuel filter to a bad fuel pump.  It, also could be as simple as a blown fuse, or fusable link.  You need to test the fuel pressure to see if this is the problem.  If you have sufficient fuel pressure, the you need to see if you have power at the spark plugs.

If both of these seem to be functioning properly, then you may need to check your air intake, and exhaust (primarily the catalytic converter) to see if either of these are plugged and restricting flow.

You can purchase a manufacturer's shop manual for it from a dealer.  They are quite expensive, normally costing, around $100.

A Chilton's or a Hayne's manual would be a better buy, as they can be purchased at most auto parts stores for $20.  They have a lot of information on basic trouble shooting.  These manuals are designed for a year or range of years for specific vehicles, and are invaluable if you are planning on doing any repairs, troubleshooting or maintenance yourself.

Carl