What kind and octane fuel are you using? I've found that the places that are generally higher make my truck run much better! (Shell, Conoco, Total).....I've had some similar problems with my '94 ram and usually it only occurs when I use the cheaper gas! You can run a cleaner through your system, but running 103 or 104 can do the same thing.....THIS IS ONLY IN MY EXPERIENCE WITH MY TRUCK!!! But check around with some mechanics and see if you can do the same with your truck....i've already replaced my pump(was a Bit*h!!) a couple of years ago, but i've found that if i just let my truck warm up for 5 or 10 minutes when i first drive it in the morning it does very well! Good luck to you!

 

I typically run mid-grade through it, but occasionally i'll run premium. Nothing less than that ever.

 

Dinggggg... ok the bell just went off, I think I know what's wrong... let me go do some searching to confirm it.

 

I did some searching and rememberd the issue about the vent controller check valve being bad or having some issue with it.


two things come to mind... the more that I think about it...

1) when your truck is having idling problems does your defroster come on (vents change direction to the defroster)?

2) are you applying the brakes when it has an issue? <- this is the case EVERY time I have the idle problem... points to the brake booster...

have a look in these 2 places and let me know...

Mine, I think it's the brake booster... EVERY time I have the problem it is when I'm coming to a stop and my foot is on the brakes...

Damn... I'll have to park the M3 and jump back into the truck and take some more mental notes... but I think it's the brake booster on my truck...

 

Hey, that reminds me of something similar in my truck... When the engine starts to load at all, even the slightest bit, the ventilation system instantly goes to defroster no matter what it is set at. Is this normal on the Rams, or could I have a similar vacuum problem?

 

you have a bad check valve going to the controller in the cab... this is a common failure... and I think there is even a TSB on it... let me go look.

 

I've been wondering about this since I bought the damn thing. Just always forgot to ask. Thanks Steve!

 

I wasnt able to find the TSB but here's a thread that talks about the problem and how to fix it.

vacuum problem

 

Sometimes those check valves in the vacuum system just stick. Try taking it off and blowing through both ends of it and see if it frees up. This was all mine needed to fix the heater control switching problem. This is a well known problem for a lot of mopars all the way back to the 80's.

There should also be a check valve in the vacuum supply line to the brake booster. If that fails, your booster will not maintain vacuum and cause the engine to run like crap when applying the brakes.