Hi all,

So I have a 1999 Ram 2500 4x4 with a v-10. I have not had to put any money into this thing for a couple years now but I think the time has come.

Yesterday morning I started it up and proceeded to drive to my job site. About a mile away from my house it stalled while on the road but with my quick hand and thinking I threw it into neutral and it restarted right away. It happened one more time about 500ft down the road but after that it seemed to be ok. I stopped to pick up some materials and guess what, it didnt restart when I came out. I called one of my buddies and before he could get out the door to come get me, it somehow restarted and I was on my way. Got to the job, worked until 7pm, got in, started up and I drove home.

This morning I started it up and drove to my job site and parked it for about an hour. Went to start it to run back home and grab something else and no chance. Tried jumping it, had a road service come out to try jumping it, then I just got it home via flat bed. I have the alternator and battery out to have them tested, I'm just waiting for my ride there now.

I do have other issues with it that I have not addressed yet like a brake and ABS light on, the speedo doesn't work until you're doing about 45-50 mph, the ac compressor bearings are shot and it makes horriffic noises until you get to a higher rpm, and the idle occasionally rises to 1000rpm or so when Im sitting a a light or parked with it running. I found a hard vacuum line that is broken while removing the alternator so i will be addressing that today as well.

I am asking all of you who read this to reply with possiblities if neither the battery or alternator is faulty. I have been reading lots of V-8 posts but have not found anything pertaining to my exact vehicle but have also noticed that what seems to be simple doesnt always work out that way.

Thanks a lot

Geoff

 

for the abs and brake light check the abs sensor on the diff and that will also fix your speedo if it is bad and is 30 dollars at advance auto

 

would it crank over?

 

Just barely. all the lights and guages seemed to work with the key in the "on" position. Bright I may add. It just seemed like there was not enough juice to turn it over. When I would crank it I would watch the volt meter drop to nothing in about one second of trying to crank it over. I did double check as many grounds as I could find including cleaning the battery cables and posts.

 

+1 on the sensor on the diff... we just had a couple trucks here with the same issue, my dad's is one of them

 

Thank you for the heads up on the sensor.

 

sounds like a possible dead battery.

As for ABS and BRAKE light +1 on the rear speed sensor. Its the most common fix for your symptoms. AC well ya got that one figured out lol.

MAXX!!!! Ya little stink ya beat me to it.

 

Ha, Thank you....

 

Hi Geoff. Another Michigander.

If the truck would barely crank, I think you already have the problem part out. It takes a LOT more current to crank the motor, than it does to run a headlight.

Get 'em tested, let us know, take it from there.

 

FWIW I've had to change the Battery in mine about every 2-3 years.
They always crank slower for about a month before they just go click with the ignition. Never had it die like that while driving though.
Like the others get both tested and well move on from there...