I can sure use some help. After sitting idle in the garage for several days I went out to start my Ram. I noticed that the security light next to the oil gage was blinking when I got in - Something that I have never seen in the 4 years I've owned this truck. When I went to start it the truck wiuldn't start. It seemed really strange - it would try to turn over but it couldn't AND it was very, for a lack of a better word, feeble when it wouldattempt to start.
I pushed the truck out of the garage and jumped the battery. It started right up and the voltage meter when directly to normal.

Since then the truck has been stalling occasionally whenever I place it in Nuetral or Park. I had absolutely NO troubles prior to this. The truck is a V-8, Auto, 2WD with 27000 miles.

I'm hoping this is something I can tackle myself to avoid high repair bills - any suggestions???

 

I am no expert but I would start with a new battery and see if that solves the problem.

 

Sounds like battery to me as well. Man, how do you only have 27K on it? My '03 has over 91K.

 

The reasons that I don't think it's a battery issue is that once I jumped the battery the voltage gauge immediately read its normal reading (around 14 volts +/-). Secondly, I don't see why a bad battery would make the truck die when its placed in Park or Neutral. The truck never did, and hasn't had since, any trouble starting or turning over.

As far as the mileage - I have a short commute to work - a VERY GOOD thing with fuel prices at $3.00/gallon!!

 

The voltage gauge is reading alternator output, not battery voltage. Before you think of disconnecting the battery while it's running, DON'T! That diagnostic trick doesn't work anymore. Quitting on you in Park or Neutral may not be a related symptom. I guess it's possible the trucks pull some juice from the battery at idle?

 

That short commute to work is hard on the battery and the alternator... The engine's never run long enough to replace what startup took from the battery. The battery's always pulling from the alternator. You might try leaving a trickle charger on it while it's parked in the garage.

 

check all your terminals and contacts as well... make sure they are all clean with a good connection..

 

sounds like battery to me !!

 

Yea i agree...soundslike the battery and a seperate issue with the stalling. Bring the battery in and have it load tested...if it fails you'll already be at the parts store to buy a new one. As far as the stalling, i'd remove and clean the throttle body really good with carb cleanerand go from there.