Hey guys, I’m having trouble with my 2004 Ram 1500 4.7L. It died on me at a red light and will only start if I pump the gas. It will only stay running if I hold the gas pedal down but once I throw it in gear it dies. Do any of you know what the issue may be off the top of your heads? I really need to know because I start a new job soon and I need my truck.

 

Research IAC and TPS. Only use OEM if you buy any of these sensors. Other cause can be weak fuel pump. Also, when was the last tune up?

 

Man it’s well overdue. I’m gonna get all that done here soon. Just want to get it started first

 

basics

You need three things to run and we'll presume it is not a compression issue so that leaves fuel and ignition.

Seeing as you have some results with holding the gas pedal, try to see if it will fire and run using either ether starting fluid or snuffed out propane torch as the fuel source.

STARTING FLUID aerosol method:
With the air filter cover removed spray a three second blast right onto the air cleaner and the without working the gas pedal, try to start the truck. It may run idle and smoothly die.

Propane Torch method:
With the air filter cover and element removed, insert a flowing unlit torch with the nozzle pointed into the large intake hose. Allow it to flow for about 15-20 seconds and then try to start the truck without touching the pedal. It may start at idle and then smoothly die.

If the truck runs at idle, then you likely have a fuel issue.

Listen for the fuel pump to run for two seconds at first key on.
Try to find the fuel pump relay, it may have one... if so, try swapping that relay with another one for some other thing such as the flog lights or horn. Also check the fuel pump fuse?

Avoid LONG, Repeated, motoring of the starter. If it doesn't start, it isn't going to start.... no sense in cranking the life out of the battery and starter.
Also, a starter can become 'heat soaked' so continued cranking may require over an hour of allowing the mass of the starter to cool.

Good luck

Please return and let us know what you find and how you fix it... Even if you tow it to a shop, let us know what they find and what they charge you in August 2023 dollars...

Cheers

 

Maybe if you do it, you will get it started. Start with new plugs.

 

Plugs? Really?
I would suggest that you troubleshoot the problem before you start just spending money throwing parts at an undefined problem. The parts cannon can get real expensive real fast and only by luck and fairy dust maybe you hit the problem.

I think it is highly unlikely that ALL the spark plugs just failed at the same time and that is why your truck is not starting/running/dies in the middle of the street.
I am all for keeping up with the maintenance BUT right now it seems that you need to get your truck running, reliable, for a new job... to make some money so you can afford some new spark plugs.

Now Dodgivity's original suggestion certainly do make sense to check the idle air control and the throttle position sensor, they MAY be the parts that need to be replaced to get you running again BUT ONLY after you test them and they prove defective.
Good luck
... and let us know

 

I changed the fuel pump today and it’s still doing the same thing. That leaves me with the iac or tps. Shouldn’t be the tps because I just changed it last year. Idk. Just frustrated right now and it’s hot lmao. Imma take a break real quick

 

Did you test the fuel pressure or just throw a pump at it... That is a big job to guess at it.

The TPS, unless you bought a mopar part, it could possibly have gone bad again (even a mopar too)
Test it
IAC, clean it.

But it is great that you returned and told that it was not the pump. Thank you.

I am certainly curious as to what you find and how much it costs to fix it in AUG 2023 dollars, even if you end up towing to to a shop, please tell what you find out.
Good luck

many times it is better to be lucky than good...

 

Curious, did the starting fluid (or propane) get it to start and run smooth for a few seconds?

If so, that would confirm that there is a fuel delivery issue (all the way to the cylinders that is)
We're here to help...

 

when I sprayed the first time nothing happened. I had already bought the fuel pump anyway so I just went ahead and put it on. It was a pain to do by myself but I got it done lol. I cleaned the iac yesterday also and it did nothing. Idk what it could be now. Checked fuses and everything.