I have a 2003 model 2500 4x4 quad cab with 237k on the clock, driving home yesterday it started to surge and lose power causing a bucking for a few seconds then stopped and ran fine, a couple of miles later it did the same thing but this time engine died. Coasted into a parking lot and tried to immediately restart it but it wouldn't. Waited about 10 minutes and it started up again. Was able to drive it another 3 miles and it died again. Wheeled into a parking lot and this time after about 20 minutes it started again but ran for only about 25 seconds and died. Started it 2 more times after waiting a bit and same thing, started and died within 15-20 seconds. I noticed while I was checking under the hood and my son was working the key/ignition, the lift pump (its on the filter canister) was not near as loud as it usually is when the key goes to ON and the clicking we usually hear associated with the lift pump when the ignition is turned to ON was slower in tempo and not near as audible. Its the factory lift pump. Yep, I got 237k out of it.

A friend who is a Dodge Tech told us he thinks its ground wires. I have traced the ground wires from the battery terminals as far as I can see and there don't appear to be any issues. The terminals on the battery's are tight and in good condition.

Curious what ya'll think, am I headed in the right direction, does it sound like lift pump issue?

Thanks

 

My guess is you're on the right track with the lift pump idea. At least, that's how my truck acted when the lift pump failed, except I only had 55k miles on it!
I would also say, even if it's not the lift pump, it's time to change it out with an upgraded one anyway. It has to be on its last legs with that many miles on it.

 

wait the 03 has a lift pump? I thought it was just the cp3 that did everything

 

2003 - 2004.5 have a lift pump mounted on the fuel filter housing. 2005+ went to an in-tank pump. Don't know how earlier versions are set up.