All,
I'm having a strange issue with my '95 RAM 2500. I've taken it to two
shops, one couldnt find the problem, the other blamed the starter
(which I replaced, and it didn't help).
Basically, there are two issues;
First, when I try to start the truck, the starter spins, the engine
kicks a bit, and doesnt start. If I crank it over a few times (turn
key, let starter run for about a second, stop, repeat) it fires up.
When it starts, it runs very rough for about 5 seconds, then revs up to
about 1k, and drops back in to a smooth idle at 700. My guess is a
sensor somewhere in the start/ignition systems, but I can't figure out
which.
The other issue is at highway speeds, the thing stalls out
occasionally. Basically, I'll be driving along at about 60, all of a
sudden, pushing the gas pedal starts doing nothing to my speed. The
best I can explain it is that when I tap the gas, the RPMs actually go
down a bit, when I let back up, the engine rev's up for a second, then
stops. Pushing the gas makes it sound like the timing is off
(knocking/cylinder misfires), letting the gas up makes it sound better.
At that point, when I pull over, as the speed approaches 0, so do my
RPMs, and I stall out. If I let the truck sit for 5 minutes or so, it
starts up again and runs fine.
Both of these things started yesterday morning, and I had a great drive
home, pulling over every 5 minutes to get the damn thing started again.
I put a scan tool on the truck -- no codes, none at all. I went to two
shops last night, one had no clue, the other said starter. I replaced
it last night, it didn't fix anything (I didn't expect it to).
HELP!!!!!!!
TBone - 26 Jan 2005 15:16 GMT
It sounds like your fuel pump is on the way out.

Signature
If at first you don't succeed, you're not cut out for skydiving
> All,
> I'm having a strange issue with my '95 RAM 2500. I've taken it to two
[quoted text clipped - 29 lines]
>
> HELP!!!!!!!
japhar81 - 26 Jan 2005 15:26 GMT
That was my thinking as well, based on the fact that letting it sit and
cool off gets it going again, but what about the screwy starting issue,
same thing? If so, whats the reasoning?
I mean, for the stall/start, letting the motor cool off gives it a bit
more life, but the cold start, the motor is already cold??
> It sounds like your fuel pump is on the way out.
Yew B - 26 Jan 2005 17:00 GMT
weak pump takes a few seconds to build proper pressure. turn key to
run wait 3or4 seconds then start. My 93 Dakota I turn key on and here
a click, starts on first turn. If I just turn key and crank takes
4or5 turns, I have no driving issues with it (just other drivers)
>That was my thinking as well, based on the fact that letting it sit and
>cool off gets it going again, but what about the screwy starting issue,
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>
>> It sounds like your fuel pump is on the way out.
japhar81 - 26 Jan 2005 17:13 GMT
Just tried it.. key to run for 5 sec or so, then cranked it. It cranked
about 4 turns, then caught and sputtered for about 5 seconds, then
rev'd up to 1200 and smoothed to a nice idle at 700.
I guess it really is the fuel pump... Anyone know how much it costs to
get that fixed?
> weak pump takes a few seconds to build proper pressure. turn key to
> run wait 3or4 seconds then start. My 93 Dakota I turn key on and here
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
>>
>>> It sounds like your fuel pump is on the way out.
TBone - 26 Jan 2005 17:21 GMT
All of the symptoms that you described point to the fuel pump. As for the
starting issue, the pump has a check valve to maintain pressure but they are
not perfect even when new and pressure will leak down. As the pump gets
older, the leakage tends to increase and combined with an old pump that is
worn out and can't deliver the volume and pressure that it once could, you
tend to wind up with insufficient pressure at initial start. The next time
you start it cold, turn the key to run but not start and let it sit for a
few seconds. Then turn the key off and back to run for a few more seconds
and then back to off and then try to start it. When you turn the key to run
it starts the fuel pump for a few seconds to build up pressure and repeating
this a few times will give the pump more time to build pressure before you
attempt to start it. If the engine then starts up like normal, it will
further confirm that the pump is about to fail and need to be replaced.

Signature
If at first you don't succeed, you're not cut out for skydiving
> That was my thinking as well, based on the fact that letting it sit and
> cool off gets it going again, but what about the screwy starting issue,
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>
> > It sounds like your fuel pump is on the way out.
japhar81 - 26 Jan 2005 17:27 GMT
Thats pretty much what happened when I tried it. Guess its the fuel pump...
Any idea what a swap should cost me?
> All of the symptoms that you described point to the fuel pump. As for the
> starting issue, the pump has a check valve to maintain pressure but they are
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
> attempt to start it. If the engine then starts up like normal, it will
> further confirm that the pump is about to fail and need to be replaced.
TBone - 26 Jan 2005 17:47 GMT
It's not going to be cheap. The pump is in the tank and will require either
the tank being dropped or the bed lifted off to get to it. IIRC, the pump
itself is around $150 plus labor. Their are others in here that can give
you a much more accurate figure than I can on what it may cost to have it
done.

Signature
If at first you don't succeed, you're not cut out for skydiving
> Thats pretty much what happened when I tried it. Guess its the fuel pump...
>
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
> > attempt to start it. If the engine then starts up like normal, it will
> > further confirm that the pump is about to fail and need to be replaced.
Max - 28 Jan 2005 22:04 GMT
>All of the symptoms that you described >point to the fuel pump.
Or an intermittant TPS.
Curt Hibbert - 28 Jan 2005 03:56 GMT
My van had symptoms like this. Replaced the computer, haven't had any
trouble since.
> All,
> I'm having a strange issue with my '95 RAM 2500. I've taken it to two
[quoted text clipped - 27 lines]
>
> HELP!!!!!!!
Johnathon Aaron Steel - 28 Jan 2005 16:05 GMT
Fuel pump it is.. Exact thing happened to me and my 95 Ram 1500. Damn
thing is on top of the Tank so be prepared to pay. :(
JAS
>All,
>I'm having a strange issue with my '95 RAM 2500. I've taken it to two
[quoted text clipped - 29 lines]
>
>HELP!!!!!!!
RamMan@dodgecity.cc - 29 Jan 2005 02:59 GMT
>Fuel pump it is.. Exact thing happened to me and my 95 Ram 1500. Damn
>thing is on top of the Tank so be prepared to pay. :(
You'll save some $$ if you run out as much of the gas as possible before
taking it in. Anything in the tank has to be pumped out before they can
drop the tank. If you take it in with a full tank, do not expect the fuel
to be replaced.