Got a '99 Dodge Ram with the 5.2L 4x4 SLT Laramie.

About a week ago the check engine light came on. Not doing anything special except driving and no other noticeable symptoms. I checked all the fluids and they're good.

So this morning, I go to start the truck and it turns over fine, but instead of starting, it just burps. So I try again and this time it just turns over and over like it's not getting any spark. I try again, but this time I give it some gas and it doesn't really start so much as it's just running. When I let off the gas, it stops running. Not like when you normally shut off an engine and it shudders a little, it just stopped running like when you let off the pedal of an electric golf cart.

I tried to start it again with the throttle and it does the same thing. I maintained the throttle to hear if it was missing or anything and it's not...It just won't stay running on it's own.

Is there an idle sensor or something that may be bad? I haven't done the ignition Run-Off-Run-Off-Run to check the code yet because I'm at work and just found out about it on these forums today.

Any ideas what this might be? Thanks for any help you guys may provide.

 

Need to know what code the PCM is whining about.

But, for a 'possible' fix, stop at the parts store on your way home, and pick up a throttle body gasket. (they are like two bucks.) When you get home, let the truck cool, disconnect the battery, remove the throttle body. (one to three cables, depending on your configuration, and three electrical connections. On the back of the throttle body (facing the firewall when installed...) is the IAC Motor. THAT is what controls idle speed. They tend to get carboned up, and stop working correctly. Remove it, and clean all the crap out of the throttle body, and off the end of the pintle on the IAC motor. (try not to alter the position of the pintle.) Brake cleaner, or carb cleaner works pretty good here, along with a small brush. (compressed air doesn't hurt either....) Clean everything REALLY well. Reassemble, hook the battery back up, and fire it up. See if it will idle on its own now.

 

I have been messing with mine all day, after reading this thread, I put it all back together & guess what same response with the throttle. let us all know if this cleaning worked please.

 

IAC cleaning worked for me, I didn't remove the TB just the IAC. I did cleaned the port though with WD & my pinky. On my 01 it didn't matter if I moved the pintel the PCM adjusted it with the truck in the on position, I could hear the motor whine soon as I turned the key. The factory service manual explains this, it does this step everytime you turn the key on.

 

Well, guess what. NEW Symptom! I went out and tried it this morning and same thing the first time, turned over real good with a burp....Then NOTHING. No power anywhere.

I think I got a bad battery. It's over 5 or 6 years old and the temp just started getting real warm here, so I'm thinkin' that's probably it.

 

Clean your battery terminals first, and make sure they are tight.

 

have you tried to reset the ECM by pulling the cable off and letting it sit a few mins? i had an issue where it had a misread a few weeks ago and it caused my IAC not to work right

 

FIXED. I saw there was a little corrosion on the battery terminals so at Hey You's recommendation, I decided to pull them off and clean them.

I did the positive first and could tell by the hood light that I still didn't have power after cleaning and re-attaching it. However, when I pulled the negative off, I could see right away that it was very dirty.

I cleaned it off and saw the hood light flickering while I was trying to put it back on...then steady once I got it on there. I tightened it up and gave her a shot.

Ran like $hit for a second...They always do when you clear the ECM, then it smoothed out and she runs and idles just fine now.

I've never seen a vehicle have such a specific problem with a bad battery connection. Usually the lights flicker and it acts like a dead/bad battery.

BTW, so far, no return of the Check Engine Light.

Thanks for your help guys!

 

Cool. Glad ya got it fixed.