Hi,

Now that the colder/wetter air is moving in I am having a problem with my '01 RAM 1500. It is the 4x4 OffRoad edition and I love the truck. This summer I had the door panels replaced with fiberglass to fix some rot, and I have the cracked dash syndrome - but the truck has always run great - but has been getting funky in the last 5 or 6 months.

When starting cold, it takes about 15 seconds or so to crank over. After which if I place foot on the gas - I can get it started running about 1200 rpm. If I take the foot of the gas right away it stalls. Once the temp starts to come up, I can idle in the driveway. When I back out and take foot off gas->to brake (R->D) it stalls. The RPM just falls. If I manage to get out of the driveway and restart - the same condition repeats at every stop sign. Not until I have been driving and the engine is hot - do I have normal conditions again.

I have read forum posts that indicate this is a problem in the manifold (mani-what?) - thats right - I don't work on my trucks - but I don't trust too many people. My mechanic can't figure out the problem and I hate to take it to the dealership without being able to point them in a direction.

So dodge forums - your my only hope.

I can't remember the block size of my engine. Hope it doesn't matter. I think it is the 5.9 litre V8.

If anyone has any experience with this particular problem- please write. I am monitoring this thread via email.

Cheers,

~Mike

 

Try replacing your PCV valve. It's a simple $2 valve. They get clogged a lot with the Magnum engines. Whenever I had problems with stalling I replaced that valve and so far it's done the trick every time.

 

If you take it to the dealership, you shouldn't need to 'point them in the right direction'. Just tell the guy writing up your work order all the pertinent symptoms, and what, if anything, has already been done to the truck in the way of possible repairs. If you just go in, and tell them what you want replaced, they will do just that, charge you for it, and it may not necessarily fix your problem. (I worked in a dealership for a few years...... this is the voice of experience, and something I tried to explain to my customers.)

That said..... sounds a lot like a failing O2 sensor, or, possibly IAC motor. I lean more toward the IAC motor though......

 

Thanks Andrew - that seems so simple.

I will do it at lunch - would you mind pointing me in the right direction? Do I have to remove the air filter and stuff?

Cheers,

~Mike

 

Replace IAC on back of throttle body, clean the bore before reinstalling the new one(disconnect the neg. battery cable before replacing any sensors) Check the fuel pressure as far as the long cold start problem goes, if the pressure regulator is bad on top of the fuel pump, the system will only hold pressure for a very short period of time.

 

PCV valve is in one of the valve covers. (dodge seemed to like to switch what side it was on from year to year..... mine is in the passenger cover, at the back.) Just a little piece of plastic, with a vacuum line the runs from the valve, to the intake manifold. Get one from the dealer. The aftermarket PCV valve I tried caused me to burn oil in a MAJOR way. (wrong flow rate.... sucked oil right out of the top of the motor.)

I don't think that is your problem though, but, for six bucks (from the dealer) can't hurt to try.

 

yes...

 

HeyYou make a good point. I am only hoping to look like an informed consumer. Thanks - IAC is also an interesting avenue. I have no idea how to take it off to check it make sure its working. Maybe I can bring this to my mechanic and tell him to change the PCV valve and the IAC motor - should be in an out in a couple of minutes if that is the case.

Best,

Mike

 

Thanks Zman - most appreciated!

~Mike

 

Thanks everyone. I will report back here as a courtesy to let you know what I find out. Thanks for the excellent guidance.

~M