Hi all,

I have a 2005 5.9L cummins 3500 ram. When I let it warm up in the morning it will start fine, idle around 7-800 rpm's. When I come out of the house it is then idling at around 1000 rpm's. If I hit the gas to rev it up it will back off to 700 again. What causes this? Is this normal?

Also, I have recently noticed while waiting for my truck to warm up another problem. I can hear a click sound in the dash. When it clicks, the lights dim slightly then it clicks again and the lights get brighter. When I say lights, I mean the dash, headlights, interior.... basically everything. Is this an alternator problem? I do not think it does this while driving. The sound resembles when the AC compressor kicks on.

 

The idle and lights are normal. The lights dimming is caused by the grid heaters working to warm the intake air.

 

All normal.

1. They idle up on there own when its cold out.

2.The lights dimming is the grid heater cycling on and off.

 

I have also noticed how dim my high beams are. I would have expected alot more light from a truck this size. the fog light and low beam combo is much brighter. Do you guys recommend any replacement headlight bulbsfor my truck?

 

I just added some hellas. They work much better for spotting deer and other things that would try to get in front of you.

 

the thing is the altenator is actualy "turned off " while the grid heaters are working. . .if the altenator was attempting to charge the batteries and power the truck while the grid heaters are operating it would pop the diodes VERY quick due to the current draw. the grid heaters is another reason why we have two batteries. once you go above 15-20mph or the trruck has idles for about 2 min the grid heaters will turn off and the altenator will kick on.

 

I felt the same way about the bulbs! I ended up putting in a set of Sylvania Silver Star Ultras. That made a huge difference. I just purchased a Brite box so when I hit my High beams, I will have high beams, low beams, and fogs. I also bought the kit that allows me to put in the 9005 bulbs into my fogs as well. They are about 700 lumens brighter than the stock 9006 bulbs. Also bought a set of Light Force Stryker 170's to go on the front. All of this is waiting to be installed. Hopefully in the the next couple of weeks!