Hey guys I got an 06 ram 1500 with 214000 miles on her. I got a whole list of problems here. First off I think I have a bad ground somewhere because I will be going down the road then my gauges will suddenly move up and down most of the warning lights will come on. So I went and reset the computer pulling the fuse putting the key to start and waiting to two chimes, checking all my grounds, and checking all the electrical connections on the bottom of the fuse box disconnecting all the electrical connections, blowing them out with a can of compressed air, and plugging them back in tight. Well I go to get into the truck and now it will start for a second and die. I also noticed that the temperature light is blinking when I put the key to start. I have read that this might have to do with the security system in the truck? If it is how can I fix it so I can move my pickup?

 

It sounds like you may have touched on the problem and just need to go back over your grounds again. Did you disconnect the battery before disconnecting the various grounds?
Use a small wire brush to get the connections clean, then put thin coat of dielectric grease on the connectors prior to re-attaching them.
You can use a multimeter or probe tool to check grounds. Make sure the engine and starter are both well-grounded.
Does the starter motor turn strong when starting, no surging or hesitation?
I think your problem is likely electrical/grounds, but recommend do some research on idle air controller and see if that sounds like a possibility.

 

Well I have tried all of that and still nothing. Going to have it towed to a repair shop talking to some dealerships sounds like the key might of gone bad. So have to get a new key programmed. But I did notice this when I first turn on the key I dont get any of my PRND123 lights to come on. Does that still sound like a ground problem? I have cleaned everything and checked all grounds and they are good and tight.

 

Sounds to me like an issue with the key as well. I can replicate the exact same scenario using a spare I had cut without the chip. Starts and dies. Does the security light on the dash illuminate when this happens?

 

Ya the security light blinks. I noticed something yesterday when i pulled into my driveway that it was blinking which I found really odd. Now I have been having troubles with my dash lights random flashing on and off my gauges going crazy up and down like whenever I would hit a bump so that tells me that there is a bad ground somewhere. Could that cause something to go wrong with the key or the anti theft? I gave up this morning and called a tow company and had the truck towed to a local shop. He is gonna hook up his scanner to it and see whats going on. I would rather take it to a local shop than a dealership.