I have a 2001 dodge ram 1500 5.2 earlier today I notices my truck was cranking up slower then usual but I thought maybe I just was turning the key to fast. So I was leaving a park when I turned the key and the truck would not crank , until I started giving it some gas ... so I put it in drive and just held the rpms to about 1200-1400 to keep it running and after driving for a few min It stayed alive on its on .. once I got to my apartment I shut it off and started it back up about 2 or 3 times and it started up no problem. what could be the issue? im currently in college and im pretty mechanically sound to do most work on my own but I hope it’s nothing big cause my truck has over 206,000 miles and has been good to me for about 4 to 5 years since i've owned it

 

Check/clean the battery terminals.With 200k the starter may be on it's way out also.

 

replaced the starter truck still cranks then just dies unless im giving it gas to keep it alive, cleaned the batter and tested the batter the battery if fine as well

 

Clean the throttle body.