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Fires then will not run

Tiny
MECHANICALLY INEPT
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 DODGE RAM
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 394,200 MILES
I got this truck from my grandfather and I would like to keep in running. It has history.

I drove the truck home about a six hour drive. No issues minus the oil gauge dropped off at a red light. But shortly after it returned to normal.

I drove the truck into work one morning It was cold in the Adirondacks. The truck acted a bit weird. Sort of bucked and had no power then returned to normal.

I noticed the anti-freeze was really low so I added some. I took the truck for a spin no issues. A short while later my in-laws asked me to bring the garbage to the dump. I started the truck no issues. Got back to the in-laws for dinner and wanted to show my brother in law. Went out side the truck would not start.

Best way I can explain it is I put the key in and turned it over sounded like it fired normal again rev etc then it puttered down and then off. I tried it again and click click click. Took key out and then put key back in and turned over with same result. It fired but then shut off again. Never according to my grandfather has this happened. I did notice prior to this when the engine starts and for along while later the idle is approximately 1100-1200.

My father in-law thought maybe idle air control valve. We tried to start it again I hit the pedal this time while turning it over and nothing same result. We sprayed ether into the top. Nothing no different reaction. Same exact failure.

The gas is low and thought this truck has been sitting idle for well over a year plus has never seen cold like we have in the Adirondacks. Perhaps frozen fuel I put in dry gas and a few gallons of fresh gas. Still Same result. The coil appears to be fine no lose connections. Etc

The battery is old but all lights and instruments work fine. The six hours drive north was with zero problems minus the oil gauge dropping off then coming back after the truck sat for twenty minutes.

Everyone I spoke to said several different things. A resistor to bad fuel to fuel filter to IAC valve. Old battery perhaps.

any help would be great. I hope I explained the issue good if not I am sorry.
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Tuesday, March 7th, 2017 AT 11:12 PM

8 Replies

Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Check battery for condition including load test most places do for free. sounds like it may be the problem. if battery okay then do a security system reset see link.
https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-reset-a-security-system
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Wednesday, March 8th, 2017 AT 7:06 AM
Tiny
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Sorry for the long wait for the reply. I haven't had a chance to check any of it out. Its been really cold up here and everyone's been sick. But today I am going to jump into this and follow what you recommended. I will write back what we find out. Thank you
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Sunday, March 19th, 2017 AT 10:05 AM
Tiny
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Well We got it running. In order of what we did

A week or so ago. My father in-law disconnected the battery and let it sit for a few minutes and then re-hooked it thinking it might reset the computer system. It didn't work.

We added dry gas, and ether to the top and still wouldn't start.

Yesterday We hooked up the idle air control valve. And tried it. Nothing. I said screw it and unhooked the battery again since it idle air control valve connects to the electric might as well try it. I disconnected the battery for about 10 minutes, Re-hooked it back up and it started. The idle was near 2,000 rpm. Highest I've ever seen it. But after a short test run it slowly dropped down to about 800-1000 while in park. Engine warmed up normally. Voltage on the dashboard was fine and oil pressure was fine.

The only concern I have now is When I drove it up from long island the Oil pressure dropped right off to zero ( no weird noises, No engine noise or bucking While I had no oil pressure)and after letting it sit for about 15 minutes and restarted the truck the oil pressure came right back. It did have an oil change like 2 days prior. I was told it could be the oil sending unit? I cant seem to find one at advanced. Going to look around. The starter might be going as well. Not 100% sure. Just recently priced a brand new one out. $135 Minus tax.

The replacement of the idle air control valve was pretty easy. Just removed the air box and disconnected the iacv power then unscrewed two start bits ( what ever they are called). The entire process took less then 10 minutes.

Thanks for the help.
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Monday, March 20th, 2017 AT 4:12 AM
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Try rock auto for you r parts they are online and have a lot of stuff you are looking for. Oil pressure sending unit may be in back by dist as you haven't said what size engine it is.
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Monday, March 20th, 2017 AT 6:29 AM
Tiny
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Ill check them out. I got brake parts from them before. Pretty good stuff. The engine size I thought was already mentioned when I wrote the first post. Sorry if it wasn't

Well the engine is a v8 magnum. Gas engine.
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Monday, March 20th, 2017 AT 8:56 AM
Tiny
HMAC300
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There are three different V8's so next time try to get engine size don't need itnow
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Monday, March 20th, 2017 AT 9:30 AM
Tiny
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Truck died again. This time battery was dead. Put key in literally nothing. So I tested the battery it was dead so I got a new one. Installed it. The truck turned over started for a second then dead. After 15 minutes I tried the truck again and the truck wont start. But this time after watching a few videos. It was a no start with crank, I did see the rpms move. Gas is over 1/4 going to try spark tomorrow. Going to try fuel pressure as well. Any idea where I can check it?
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Sunday, April 16th, 2017 AT 5:28 PM
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
It may be security system try locking drivers door with key then unlock then see if truck will start. Then scan for codes and check fuel pressure with a gauge. If everyting ok have amechanic look at it as it may be a security problem that is a module or something similar.
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Monday, April 17th, 2017 AT 7:03 AM

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