Hi there. I have a 2003 ram v8, and it's been sitting in my backyard for about a year. back then it had no problem.

today when i jump started it, engine would die immediately if left idling. there were no error lights showing on the dash.

i'm fairly noob when it comes to auto repairing, could really use some tips/suggestion from you guys. thanks a lot!

 

Bad gas? water in the gas?

 

The ecu on these trucks require 12 volts to operate, when battery is low the truck will stall. Drive it or keep it revved up til battery charges, or put it on a charger. Once the battery is charged it should idle fine. Good luck

 

i had this problem when for the first time ever i left my fog lights on in the parking lot for about 2 hrs. then had to jump start. everytime the truck started i have to keep my foot on the gas or else it would die. i had the rpm at 3k or up for around 3-5 minutes and kept reving it and finally it would idle when i let go of the gas pedal.

and ya make sure u have enough fuel in the tank. i ran my truck on empty and had the same symptoms. had it on the driveway, it would start and i can rev but no idle it would just die.

 

Make sure the neg batt terminal hasn't worked its way loose. That happened to me.

 

But wouldnt that mean he alternator is bad?

 

"Hi there. I have a 2003 ram v8, and it's been sitting in my backyard for about a year. back then it had no problem."

probably the sitting in the back yard for a year had more to do with it than the alternator, just a guess weed!!

 

Since you said you are fairly new when it comes to auto repair i would strongly recommend that you change your oil as well as your spark plugs. mostly your oil before you start playing with doing a lot of starting and stopping of the engine and don't forget the oil filter. This will save you some time. Other things to remember i would invest in some new radiator fluid and a new thermostat before you get too serious once she is running good. OOOH, my vote is for the battery as well.

 

+1 on the battery check that

 

Hey man, I had one sitting like that once and mice got all up under the hood and chewed wires and vacuum lines and everything else. I had stray and crap on top of the carb. It took forever to get straighten out.