Ok, my Cummins was running rough occasionally. I take it to the
dealer last week, get a bit of a bs story, a "fuel system" cleaning,
and sent on my merry way. Oh, BTW, it's got about 2,800 miles on it,
on '06 3500.
Today, I was sitting in the truck, in park, running the engine at
different rpms. Idle seems to be set at about 800 rpms and it will
hold that steady. If I push the accelerator pedal to get the rpms to
1,000, the rpms will go from 1,000 to just about 1,100, then back to
1,000. The cycle repeats at about 5 to 7 second intervals. Other
than at idle, there doesn't seem to be any rpm I've tried, from 900 to
2,000, that this doesn't happen. It is virtually impossible to hold a
steady above idle rpm and the variance is anywhere from 50 to 100
rpms, at 5 to 7 second intervals.
I doubt if this is normal, but if it is, let me know. Otherwise, I'd
sure appreciate any opinions on here about what might be happening
before I have to go back to the dealer.
Thanks in advance for any opinions.
Nosey - 15 Feb 2007 05:21 GMT
> Ok, my Cummins was running rough occasionally. I take it to the
> dealer last week, get a bit of a bs story, a "fuel system" cleaning,
[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]
>
> Thanks in advance for any opinions.
Intake grid cycling? Watch the volt meter. When the rpm drops does the
voltage drop too? If my heater blower is running on high I can hear the fan
speed change when the grid cycles. The headlights even dim a bit when the
grid is on.

Signature
Ken
GeekBoy - 15 Feb 2007 05:59 GMT
>> Ok, my Cummins was running rough occasionally. I take it to the
>> dealer last week, get a bit of a bs story, a "fuel system" cleaning,
[quoted text clipped - 21 lines]
> fan speed change when the grid cycles. The headlights even dim a bit when
> the grid is on.
Tell me more about that issue. I dont have an idle problem, but on my 2000
I hear a click and the lights in side the truck dim (outside not even on)
and another click they brighten.
No heater or anything else running.
Nosey - 15 Feb 2007 06:17 GMT
>>> Ok, my Cummins was running rough occasionally. I take it to the
>>> dealer last week, get a bit of a bs story, a "fuel system" cleaning,
[quoted text clipped - 28 lines]
> not even on) and another click they brighten.
> No heater or anything else running.
It's not an issue. It's normal for the diesel engine in the Ram.
If you have a diesel engine read this:
http://www.dodgeram.org/tech/dsl/FAQ/cold_wx.htm
If yours is a gas engine it's probably the air conditioner compressor
cycling. When my heater grid cycles I don't hear a click but when my
compressor cycles I do.

Signature
Ken
GeekBoy - 15 Feb 2007 14:21 GMT
>>>> Ok, my Cummins was running rough occasionally. I take it to the
>>>> dealer last week, get a bit of a bs story, a "fuel system" cleaning,
[quoted text clipped - 32 lines]
> If you have a diesel engine read this:
> http://www.dodgeram.org/tech/dsl/FAQ/cold_wx.htm
Okay thanks for that info. I got the truck this past April and never noticed
it until like a few days ago and its been cold quite often
> If yours is a gas engine it's probably the air conditioner compressor
> cycling. When my heater grid cycles I don't hear a click but when my
> compressor cycles I do.