Not sure if this is the right forum 96 Dodge ram 1500 5.2 automatic. First year in winter with this truck. It dropped below zero and I killed the battery trying to start. Got a new battery and did the crank sensor because I was getting the code here and there for 6 months. Didn't solve the issue. Put a new fuel pump in and it still wouldn't start for a couple days until it got about 35 out. Next day after zero over night it won't stay running again. I'm absolutely frustrated with this and don't know what to do next. I had it running and it's stuck again. I've already put half of what the trucks worth on labor and parts when I probably didn't have to good thing I did it myself, but diagnosis in below zero weather is not fun. Someone please help me figure this out I like my trucks and now I've got two laramies stuck in my driveway both screwed after below zero temps. My 98 froze last year where it wouldn't go into od. And since then it's never shifted properly after new solenoids pressure sensor , basically transmission refresh. My opinion is these trucks can't handle cold which can't be in Wisconsin.I've about had it where Im about to abandon Dodge transmissions and computers seem way too touchy and so interconnected one thing ruins it all and hides somewhere in the line. Any thoughts on what to do next would be much appreciated. Runs at 35 degrees and won't stay running below that. What's the issue???

 

Need to plug in with a scanner, and see what the PCM thinks engine temp is.

 

As mentioned, you need to connect an OBD2 scanner to your under dash diagnostic port to determine what codes you're getting and what might be causing them. A friend of mine has a '96 Ram 1500 with a 5.2 magnum engine and he's getting a code (P0118) complaining about the temperature sensor. which caused the engine to hard start and run erratically when running. I replaced the both temperature sensors on the intake, cleared the codes with the scanner (or you can disconnect the battery to clear the codes) and drove the truck for awhile and everything seemed OK. Later, the same temperature sensor code popped up again. I suspect that the wiring going to the temperature sensor is causing an issue. Luckily, the wiring pigtail for the temperature sensor is readily available via RockAuto.

 

Did that it's at 17 farenheit which is right. the throttle angle I tested it was at 14 degrees resting and fluctuated I think properly pressing on the pedal evenly. But I don't think it's supposed to be at 14 degrees no pedal pressure. I just got a new scanner nothing special but there's no codes being thrown.

 

You should be seeing engine coolant temperature with the truck running. That should be in the 190+ degree range once the thermostat opens. Are you checking for any pending or stored codes?

 

There is also an Intake Air Temp sensor that might be reading off.

 

Test when it's acting up. See what it thinks engine temp is at that point.

PCM learns zero values for the sensors, so 14 degrees is like what the PCM considers throttle closed.

 

I am now down to the egr valve I just put in a new Iac and did a reset. It wouldn't start again at 7 degrees. I am going to try the reset again and then clean the egr if it doesn't work.Then I believe would be the map sensor if that doesn't work. I don't think I have an air flow sensor I just have an aftermarket air filter on the carb with no harnesses. I'm stuck my list is at the end I believe of what to try that would freeze and cause a no start but be fine when it's 35 out.

 

Carb? Do you mean that you have a 14" air cleaner & filter attached to the throttle body?

EGR? I didn't think '96 magnum engines had an EGR valve on the intake manifold in that year?

 

Have you tried spraying starting fluid down the throttle body? If it starts on that you know it's a fuel issue. EGR shouldn't be on a 96.