Hello, I bought this truck (1994 Ram 2500 5.9 Magnum 5 speed manual 4x4) in November, but have only driven it about 150 miles. Last time I drove it, when I would press the clutch in, most of the time the RPMs would fall to around 500, but sometimes they would keep falling until it stalled out. If I dumped the clutch, sometimes it would restart and then I could push the clutch in and feather the gas a little and it would stay running.
I've searched it online, and have only found one answer, on a mechanic help site to someone else with a similar sounding problem. The mechanic said the air intake (flap?) can get carbon built up and can get stuck which will lean it out to much. He said to clean it with throttle body cleaner (if I remember correctly). Does that sound like a good idea? Any other suggestions?
Thanks in advance!
Courage

 

If the throttle body hasn't been cleaned out recently, remove the air cleaner and thoroughly clean it with carb cleaner. On the back of the throttle body, remove the Idle Air Controller (IAC) and clean out all of the carbon & gunk in the well where the IAC piston seats into. Once its good and clean, re-install the IAC onto the back of the throttle body and see if things are better.

If you have additional questions, go to YouTube and you can find several videos on cleaning 5.9 magnum throttle bodies.

 

I've found the dirty IAC many times causing a stall. I find it strange pressing the clutch would cause it, I would think that would help reduce engine load and help it to idle faster, not stall. Definitely worth the effort to clean it though anyway, I would inspect around the clutch pedal, make sure there's no loose wiring you're moving when pushing the pedal causing a short. Also maybe unplug the clutch switch temporarily and see if it yields a different result

 

Isn't the clutch switch just a starter interlock?

 

I don't have a schematic in front of me showing exactly how its wired, it is a N/C switch the opens when pressed and honestly i don't expect any result, but it doesn't hurt to check it out being as the issue happens when pressing the pedal. I've seen some strange things happen

 

Thanks guys! I watched some videos on cleaning it. I'll check for loose wires tomorrow. Looking for more ideas on why it's stalling when I press the clutch in.
Courage

 

Clean the throttle body first, leave the battery disconnected while doing so. When you are ready to fire it up again, turn the ignition on (not start), count to 10, THEN start the truck. It should figure out idle fairly quickly. Also, if it has an aftermarket IAC motor.... get a Mopar unit, and install that. I had a lot of stalling problems with even a Standard Motor Products part..... installing the genuine mopar unit solved a host of issues.