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Car Forum / Dodge / Dodge Trucks / May 2006

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No start no idle

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spudy - 20 Feb 2006 01:13 GMT
I have a 96 dodge ram 1500 5.2 auto 137000kms For the last month or so when
I start it cold it will start then stall immediatly I have to keep my foot
on the gas to keep it running after a few minutes it will idle on its own
and is fine warm starts are no problem. My dealership says they think the
PCM loses power (they haven't figured out how or why) and when it happens
the iac settings are lost. The computer will relearn the settings but
loses them just as fast. Does anyone have any ideas as to why or how this
can happen. This is the second PCM in this truck and the iac motor was
replaced 4 months ago.
TBone - 20 Feb 2006 06:33 GMT
How old is the battery?

Signature

If at first you don't succeed,  you're not cut out for skydiving

> I have a 96 dodge ram 1500 5.2 auto 137000kms For the last month or so when
> I start it cold it will start then stall immediatly I have to keep my foot
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> can happen. This is the second PCM in this truck and the iac motor was
> replaced 4 months ago.
spudy - 22 Feb 2006 21:49 GMT
I'm guessing the battery is 4-5 years it was in the truck when I bought it
2years ago, no problem turning the engine over.
TBone - 23 Feb 2006 03:27 GMT
Just because it turns the engine over doesn't make it a good battery and its
age shows it to be near the end of its useful life.  If you have a volt
meter, have someone start it while you are checking the voltage and see what
the voltage returns to when it starts (without giving it the throttle you
currently are to keep it running).  If the voltage is lower than 12V, you
probably have a bad battery.  Another quick test would be to jump start it.
If it will start and idle normally cold while connected to the other
vehicle, that is just about proof positive of a bad battery.

Signature

If at first you don't succeed,  you're not cut out for skydiving

> I'm guessing the battery is 4-5 years it was in the truck when I bought it
> 2years ago, no problem turning the engine over.
Mike Perkins - 23 Feb 2006 06:06 GMT
Don't jump start with the donor rig running !
If the battery will start the engine and the system is charging why jump start ?

However: the battery can have problems.. and the alternator will load the engine
till it stops
charging after a cold start. check with T-bones checks below.
The problem could be simple, like as a worn throttle cam or stop setting.
There are a lot of plastic parts that ware out. Check all the vacuum pots !
might be a leak ?

> Just because it turns the engine over doesn't make it a good battery and its
> age shows it to be near the end of its useful life.  If you have a volt
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
> > I'm guessing the battery is 4-5 years it was in the truck when I bought it
> > 2years ago, no problem turning the engine over.
TBone - 23 Feb 2006 21:25 GMT
> Don't jump start with the donor rig running !

Yea, the donor rig may need to be running.

> If the battery will start the engine and the system is charging why jump start ?

Because it may have a bad cell and while it still may have enough current to
crank it, it may pull the battery down to a level that is causing the
computer to not function properly.

> However: the battery can have problems.. and the alternator will load the engine
> till it stops
> charging after a cold start. check with T-bones checks below.
> The problem could be simple, like as a worn throttle cam or stop setting.
> There are a lot of plastic parts that ware out. Check all the vacuum pots !
> might be a leak ?

Signature

If at first you don't succeed,  you're not cut out for skydiving

Marsh Monster - 21 Feb 2006 01:12 GMT
> I have a 96 dodge ram 1500 5.2 auto 137000kms For the last month or so when
> I start it cold it will start then stall immediatly I have to keep my foot
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> can happen. This is the second PCM in this truck and the iac motor was
> replaced 4 months ago.

==========
==========

Spuds..........
a couple thoughts come to mind..........

#1
 ANY Technician that is capable of understanding
the data he's looking at on the scanner..for this
particular vehical....would KNOW if the computer
is loosing power or not....there would be no
"think" about it!

#2
 You CAN.....run a fused power feed to the controll
module, off the battery, as a diagnostic step to see
if the symptom disapears with a "known good" feed
to the computer.
(that's IF....the computer is loosing power)

#3
  The computer should be setting a code if a power
loss situation is (?) occuring.

~~QUESTIONS~~

How did the Dealer dude verify that module was
loosing power? how'd he explain it to you?

Did the Dealer dude say if any codes were set...
and if so...what were they?

Why was the IAC changed 4 months ago?

Why is this the 2nd PCM in this truck?.......
and....does 2nd include the original one?

How much gas are you having to give it?
1/4 throttle?  1/2 throttle?  3/4 throttle?  full throttle?

there are more questions........
but let's git these answered first.

There ARE several sensor inputs that WILL cause
the coldstart symptom......but none that will cause
the module to reset memory for the IAC.......
if that's what's happening.

~:~
MarshMonster
~:~
spudy - 22 Feb 2006 21:15 GMT
I never got a chance to talk to the tech guy in person
Question 1  The service guy said the tech guy said the settings for the
iac were being changed or lost due to a power loss at the pcm.
Question 2  No codes set
Question 3  Changed the iac because we were getting codes saying there was
a problem with it.
Question 4  I tried to get the pcm flashed in hopes it might correct the
starting problem but when I took it in the tech said they couldn't perform
the flash because the pcm wouldn't accept it and told me the pcm was bad.
Yes only 2 pcms including the original.
Question 5  Maybe 1/4 throttle just enough to keep it at idle, once it
warms up a bit it will idle on its own.
Got it back yesterday they thought it was a bad ground which they repared,
this morning same s$#% won't stay running.
TBone - 22 Feb 2006 21:58 GMT
What shape is the battery in?  Has it been load tested?

Signature

If at first you don't succeed,  you're not cut out for skydiving

> I never got a chance to talk to the tech guy in person
> Question 1  The service guy said the tech guy said the settings for the
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
> Got it back yesterday they thought it was a bad ground which they repared,
> this morning same s$#% won't stay running.
Marsh Monster - 23 Feb 2006 13:44 GMT
> I never got a chance to talk to the tech guy in person
> Question 1  The service guy said the tech guy said the settings for the
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
> Got it back yesterday they thought it was a bad ground which they repared,
> this morning same s$#% won't stay running.

=======
=======
Mr. Tater.........

try this.........

 Go get the vehical scanned again at a different shop......
all you're after are the CODES set in the computer.  A secret
for you.....Almost EVERY single tranny shop out there does
this at no charge.....almost..not every...though everyone I've
ever come across has. Don't try to bull-crap the dude.....
tell him the truth...give him the history and tell him all yer
after is a list of codes......won't take 2 minutes to hook up
and pull them out. Have him clear the codes with his scanner,
then the next day go back and get the codes pulled again.
We're after a verifiable code......not after aggrevat'n the tranny
dude.....trust me....i do enough of that for both of us.

Here's where we're headed...for a loss of power to the ECM.........

THE FIRST STEP==
  Run a jumper wire STRAIGHT OFF THE BATTERY positive
post to the bat +  feed wire on the back of the controll module.
  Cut the OEM wire and BYPASS IT with yer JUMPER WIRE.
Be sure to leave enough length on the OEM wire to work with....
don't go chopping it off and only leaving yerself an inch of wire
to fool with.  This is jest a FAST diagnostic step to eliminate
the possibility of the Bat Pos feed circuit being the culprit to
the power loss. So....leave enough wire to work with.

  Keep in mind......the diagnostic steps are directly formulated
to the work with the symptoms you've posted, the answers you've
provided to the questions asked.....and......all this could be for
nothing if the system isn't loosing power.  That's the reason for
getting a second opinion and pulling the codes 2 times....
we want to KNOW FOR FACT.....what codes are resetting
everytime.

post yer VIN # and we'll get you a schematic.

get the codes pulled...and post the results.

buy the tranny dude a beer for his trouble.....
or ...if yer in my town....a crown royal would be nice.

~:~
Marsh
~sips his coffee......dealer techs....now there's a special breed~
Marsh Monster - 23 Feb 2006 13:44 GMT
> I never got a chance to talk to the tech guy in person
> Question 1  The service guy said the tech guy said the settings for the
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
> Got it back yesterday they thought it was a bad ground which they repared,
> this morning same s$#% won't stay running.

=======
=======
Mr. Tater.........

try this.........

 Go get the vehical scanned again at a different shop......
all you're after are the CODES set in the computer.  A secret
for you.....Almost EVERY single tranny shop out there does
this at no charge.....almost..not every...though everyone I've
ever come across has. Don't try to bull-crap the dude.....
tell him the truth...give him the history and tell him all yer
after is a list of codes......won't take 2 minutes to hook up
and pull them out. Have him clear the codes with his scanner,
then the next day go back and get the codes pulled again.
We're after a verifiable code......not after aggrevat'n the tranny
dude.....trust me....i do enough of that for both of us.

Here's where we're headed...for a loss of power to the ECM.........

THE FIRST STEP==
  Run a jumper wire STRAIGHT OFF THE BATTERY positive
post to the bat +  feed wire on the back of the controll module.
  Cut the OEM wire and BYPASS IT with yer JUMPER WIRE.
Be sure to leave enough length on the OEM wire to work with....
don't go chopping it off and only leaving yerself an inch of wire
to fool with.  This is jest a FAST diagnostic step to eliminate
the possibility of the Bat Pos feed circuit being the culprit to
the power loss. So....leave enough wire to work with.

  Keep in mind......the diagnostic steps are directly formulated
to the work with the symptoms you've posted, the answers you've
provided to the questions asked.....and......all this could be for
nothing if the system isn't loosing power.  That's the reason for
getting a second opinion and pulling the codes 2 times....
we want to KNOW FOR FACT.....what codes are resetting
everytime.

post yer VIN # and we'll get you a schematic.

get the codes pulled...and post the results.

buy the tranny dude a beer for his trouble.....
or ...if yer in my town....a crown royal would be nice.

~:~
Marsh
~sips his coffee......dealer techs....now there's a special breed~
lil_red_dodge_sport - 23 Feb 2006 22:03 GMT
Ok spudy I had the same problem you are having just last week, on mine there
were no trouble codes, brand new battery, full tank of gas, but it would not
run without my foot on the gas. Now I remedied this by replacing the fuel
pump now the truck starts and idles fine no problems. On mine the problem was
that the fuel pump had enough wear to it that when you shut the truck off all
the fuel pressure would bleed off, It takes the fuel pump a few minutes
running to get the pressure back to what is needed to run the vehicle.  If
this does sound like something that could be wrong the easiest way to get to
the pump is to loosen the bed slide it back about a foot and replace the pump
only six bolts. and about 4 hours faster than dropping the tank.
I also replaced the alternator and a new air filter

>I have a 96 dodge ram 1500 5.2 auto 137000kms For the last month or so when
>I start it cold it will start then stall immediatly I have to keep my foot
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>can happen. This is the second PCM in this truck and the iac motor was
>replaced 4 months ago.
spudy - 24 Feb 2006 00:23 GMT
Truck back in shop today no word on what they think the problem is now,
just have to wait and see. The vin # is 1B7HC16YXTS690734. I'd like to try
running a jumper wire from the battery to the PCM but the PCM on this truck
has 3 wire harnesses going to it with each harness having around 15 wires.
I have no idea which wire is the power from the battery.
About the fuel pump, I only need to keep my foot on the gas on a cold
start, if the truck is warm it starts fine.
When I get  the truck back I'll check for any stored codes.

Thanks for the ideas guys
Spudy
Marsh Monster - 24 Feb 2006 06:05 GMT
> Truck back in shop today no word on what they think the problem is now,
> just have to wait and see. The vin # is 1B7HC16YXTS690734.

I'd like to try
> running a jumper wire from the battery to the PCM but the PCM on this truck
> has 3 wire harnesses going to it with each harness having around 15 wires.
> I have no idea which wire is the power from the battery.

<<SNIP>>
============
============

That's why we needed the VIN #.
I'll post which wire to butcher tomorrow.

Keep in mind......the diagnostic steps given
are a direct result of the symptoms and facts
posted.....and it's easy as sheet to fry a computer.

anywhooo.....
be sure it's setting codes FIRST.....or .....
check ign. cycles in the data field.

~:~
MarshMonster
~:~
spudy - 28 May 2006 23:19 GMT
A little late with this post but better late than never Finally got some
answers, took truck to our mechanic he changed the IAC motor, truck starts
and idles fine, was a defective IAC in the  first place but the dealer
couldn't figure it out. Any way thanks for the input from everyone and
keep truckin.
John_F - 27 Feb 2006 06:26 GMT
As strange as it seems replacing the battery with a really high amp
rating  cold crank battery will most likely fix your problem.
Any terminal corrosion can also cause the problem also.

The problem is the idle servo driver chip in the PCM will reset at 6
volts and the computer don't reset until the voltage falls below 5
volts.  If the PCM software was done correctly it would notice the bit
set that the driver chip lost power and reset the driver but it don't.
This is still a problem in the 98 models I am not sure how far back it
goes.

When the starter first gets power the battery dips to a low voltage
until the starter spins up.  This only lasts for a few milliseconds
just long enough to  reset the chip driving the idle servo motor.

If builders built houses the way software engineers wrote programs
then the first termite that came along would destroy the world.
John

>I have a 96 dodge ram 1500 5.2 auto 137000kms For the last month or so when
>I start it cold it will start then stall immediatly I have to keep my foot
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>can happen. This is the second PCM in this truck and the iac motor was
>replaced 4 months ago.

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