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Commonly Seen Gas Engine Problems 1994+ Dodge Ram

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Starting Trouble

• No crank with key held in start position - all 94-97 BR models & engines
  • TSB 08-21-97 check solenoid cable connection torque
  • dead battery - they die without warning
• 00/01 Ram failure to crank - TSB 08-01-00 or service action #00-01 - fuse revision
• Hard Starting, and/or long crank time, and/or poor idle
  • leaking injectors - will not set a fault code
  • Bad Idle Air Control motor
  • Weak battery - dead cell(s) will cause strange idling problems
• Sudden failure to start (cranks OK)
  • Fuel pump relay failure - this has happened to several people. Swap with the AC relay and try again.

• 96-97 Speed control doesn't function or is intermittent
  • TSB 08-22-97 - leaking vacuum hose at the speed control servo
• Speed control overshoots the set speed when engaged -
  • Review procedure. Repeatedly engaging the speed control with little or no throttle confuses the speed control to the point that it thinks there is extra slack in the throttle cables, so it "takes up the slack" resulting in overspeed.  See TSB 08-16-95 Rev. A for procedure to "unlearn" the overshoot.
• 98+ Ram speed control setting creeps upward - Replace faulty vacuum servo.

• Engine overheating  1994-97 all engines with snowplow factory prep code (AHD):
  • TSB 07-05-97 Replace viscous fan with part # 52028837AA
• Overheating while towing or hauling a load
  • The OEM thermostat is too restrictive, replace it with one from NAPA.
• Overheating and spark knock or ping - See O2 sensor diagnostics - downstream O2 sensor
• V10 unexplained coolant loss - Porous head castings allow coolant to seep into combustion chambers

• V6 "Rattling" or "lifter noise" from the front of the engine (timing chain case).
  • TSB 09-07-97 replace the timing chain, sprockets and timing chain tensioner.
• V-10 94-97 BR with AC - "moaning " noise from the accessory drive system
  • TSB 09-04-97 replace generator brace with part # 53010013A

• All - Miss, rough idle, hesitation, surge: Check the battery voltage carefully. With the engine running, the battery terminals should be at 14.2 ± 0.2V. Low voltage will cause stalling, rough idle, and/or hesitation. Batteries older than 3 years should be immediatly suspected. Many people have experienced this problem, even while the battery was still easily starting the engine. It seems that the PCM is very sensitive to low battery voltage.
• All - Miss, rough idle, hesitation, surge: see ASD diagnostics - An intermittent ASD relay or associated wiring can cause stalling and hesitation because the battery charging circuit and O2 sensor heaters are controlled by the ASD relay.
• All - Ping
  • CHECK THIS FIRST: re-route ignition wiring
    • TSB 18-48-98 V6, V8;   TSB 18-16-98 V-10
  • loose plug wires - Many reports, check plug wire boots at distributor and spark plugs
  • bad plug wires - FAR TOO MANY people have reported plug wire failure
  • prematurely worn camshaft lobes - Several have reported this
  • TSB 14-08-97 - improper fuel, check the Gasoline Drivability Index
  • Light Duty Engines - TSB 18-10-98 Reprogram PCM
• V6, V8 ping - Manifold gasket leaks
  • TSB 09-05-00 spark knock and excessive oil consumption see note
• V6, V8 ping - TSB 18-21-97 Reprogram PCM
• 1998 5.2L Ping - TSB 18-34-97 - reprogram PCM
• V6, V8 Hesitation when cold - TSB 18-03-97 reprogram PCM
• 1997 V6 Cold Idle Fluctuation - TSB 18-13-97 replace PCM
• 1998 5.2L Hesitation when cool - TSB 18-35-97 reprogram PCM
• See O2 sensor diagnostics - downstream O2 sensor
• More Ping info - collection of DiRT postings about the causes and cures

• V6, V8 - Manifold gasket leaks
  • TSB 09-05-00 spark knock and excessive oil consumption
  • V6, V8 Excessive oil consumption  - intake manifold plate may be leaking,  see note
• V8 5.2L '98 models:
  • reports of oil leaks at the front timing case cover, oil pan, rear intake manifold gasket

• Trouble code 31 (gasoline engines)
  • TSB 14-10-96   purge solenoid and canister have a history of defects.
• PCM error code: Leak Detection in Pump Solenoid Circuit - TSB 18-36-97
• Check Engine light appears for no apparent reason - inadequately tightened gas cap.
• OBDI codes and diagnostic checks - posted at dodgeram.info
• OBD-Codes.com - code information, troubleshooting tips, possible resolutions, and more
• OBDII PCM Fault Codes (DTC) = pdf file on Dodgetrucks.org site

Last Update - March 17, 2000