why wont my truck stay running

Asked by outcasthero Nov 30, 2012 at 09:35 PM about the 2000 Dodge RAM 1500

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

ok i have a 2000 dodge 1500 with the 360 in it ive just replaced the battery and alternator fuse. i drove the truck for about 2 weeks then i go out one morning to hunt and the truck wont start. so i tryd jumping the truck it spluttered at first so i rev the engine and it started to run then i let off the gas and it dies right off no hesitation so whats the deal.

38 Answers

175

you might need to replace alternator... The battery is just to start truck but it should run off alternator fter its started...

17 people found this helpful.
24,415

Take truck to local auto parts store and get battery and alternator checked for free. If all checks out look for voltage leaks/shorts. It is normal on dodge for them not to idle after a dead battery. Once system voltage gets back to normal it should idle again.

15 people found this helpful.
120

check to make sure your air filter intake componets are tight, any extra air will screw with the air fuel mixture.

12 people found this helpful.
500

Check the Idle Air Control Valve. It's on the throttle body held by two torx screws. I had the same problem and replacing that fixed it.

30 people found this helpful.
2,520

After a dead battery is charged you need to do the following to reset your computer chip: 1) disconnect neg cable 2) turn key to start position and hold for 30 seconds while pushing your gas to the floor. 3) reconnect your neg terminal. 4) restart your engine and it will run fine.

222 people found this helpful.
170

I did all this and replaced my IAC multiple times. This was confusing because after replacing the IAC the first time it lasted like a week before issue arose again, the second replacement lasted a month, the third replacement lasted a week, and the forth only lasted a day. Actually not even quite a day. I am thinking weather was also a part of how well the battery held a charge and why each time it seemed to work at different amounts of time after replacing IAC. Got the battery checked and it had a bad cell. This would not hold as well a charge and was even a drag on the system. Just weird because the vehicle would not hold idle at all and as soon as I let off the gas it would go straight to 0 rpm. The battery was only putting out like 10.5 volts and supposedly the computer will not operate well with low voltage and will not idle. You would think the thing could run without the battery and on the alternator but not if you have a bad battery cell. Most places give free battery test. Save yourself the headache I had by getting that free check. I just used both feet to drive there. One to keep my truck idle and for driving on the gas, and then other on the brake. When pressing brake just lightly come off the gas. If you come too far off the gas and the vehicle turns off you will lose hydraulics to steering and brakes. You do not want that to happen if you are too close to other vehicles or people. So be careful and do not drive if you have to go too far. Luckily for me I just had to drive a few blocks away to the nearest auto parts store.

17 people found this helpful.
250

I have a 1999 dodge ram 1500 it wouldn't started change the crackshaft sensor and throttle position sensor started up find until I cut it off now it won't start and it trys but won't stay on even while I'm pressing the gas paddle

25 people found this helpful.
350

The answer mr tannic gave was the solution to mine that was doing the same...that was awesome,

35 people found this helpful.
200

Tannic - you just saved the day! This worked for my boyfriend's 1998 Dodge Ram after a dead battery. Also, I was the one who found your solution so I just got 8 million bonus points. Thank you!

20 people found this helpful.
60

my name is jeff thank you for taking the time to answer all our questions .very helpful'

6 people found this helpful.
130

I left the key in on position in my truck and didn't realize until I went outside to check something and the battery was dead. Had a Buddy come jump it and it wouldn't start. I tried giving it gas but it would idle and then shut off. I just bought the truck and I'm pretty upset. It does have a check engine light for 02 sensors and a Evap leak and don't know if that has anything to do with it. Help?

13 people found this helpful.
90

I have a 97 dodge van 2500. I replaced the alternator it started right up. two weeks later the battery started to die slowly. I go and get i charged an still does that same. I bought the alternator in th junk yard wen i first connected it. I disconnected the nag an it worked very good didnt turn off. I did the same today and it just died. I have takin it to get checked they saw nothing with the baytery or alternator. Is it a short ? or just need another alternator?

9 people found this helpful.
100

I have a 2000 dodge durango and we have replaced battery terminals and spark plugs and air filter but it's back firing and won't stay at a idle. I'm not sure what else to try so any help would be great

10 people found this helpful.
80

I started the truck and held the gas at about 1500 rpm for 2-2:30 minutes and slowly let off the gas peddle. And it stayed at idle speed. I let it idle for about 5 mins then turned it off and started it back up. It ran fine after that

8 people found this helpful.
50

Sometime the idle position sensor on the throttle body get mis- construed and need to be replaced.

5 people found this helpful.
90

The answer mr tannic gave was the solution to mine that was doing the same...that was awesome,

9 people found this helpful.
10

truck will not star it 1992 ram 150 replace crant sensor

1 people found this helpful.
40

Used ur advice from ur post almost 4 yrs ago....& Truck fired right up after following ur instructions,thnx for ur input,was extremely helpful & ur advise was dead on,solved my issue...

4 people found this helpful.
40

Mr. Tanicc I got a new battery and did exactly as you said and now its holding an idle I drove a couple blocks and its holding. Only bad think battery holder broke off so I have bungie's holding together...

4 people found this helpful.
60

I have used the reset solution given by Tannic a few times after a dead battery, however my truck started doing this while the battery was charged and the reset does not fix it. Any suggestions?

6 people found this helpful.
70

Ok I have a Dodge ram 1500 and it is idling rough I try to start it and it just don't want to start until till I put my foot on the gas and it will start right up but it won't stay on ☹️ I don't know what to do I checked the gas pump it getting plenty of gas and I check my spark plugs and everything is good but will not stay on

7 people found this helpful.
20

Try the battery reset trick. I disconneted mine and did some other things for 5 minutes. Hooked it back up, started it without touching the pedal, and let it idle for 5 minutes. Worked like a charm on mine that does the exact same thing as yours Mickeyss. I've also had to do the drive cycle on vehicles to get them to pass emissions after resetting the battery. Here's a link to a 2000 Dodge Ram https://www.smogtips.com/smog- question/3251/2000-Dodge-Ram-Van-1500-Drive-Cycle

2 people found this helpful.
30

Mr tanicc's solution worked! What a great feeling. Thanks. rjm

3 people found this helpful.
10

Unplug the positive charge from the battery Turn key to on and hold for 30 seconds while holding the gas pedal down Reconnect the battery and the stalling should stop

1 people found this helpful.
20

The person who said to check the air control valve on the throttle body was correct for our problem. We actually got by just cleaning it but ordered new one. We were dealing with 2 separate issues. When truck sat, battery always dead. Turns out, glove compartment light was stuck on.

2 people found this helpful.
30

Everyone on this page I have a 1999 dodge ram 1500 automatic with the 5.2 318 and my truck would start up but immediately die. After trying Mr. Tanics suggestion my truck fired right up and runs like a charm. I took my distributor off, unhooked my BCM replaced relays and spent 7 hours trouble shooting. I came here tried Tanics suggestion and it works it will reset the computer and go back to the way it should

3 people found this helpful.
10

Was my battery charged it up truck stays running now or might not be the alternator it was a full charge battery she stays running after letting off the gas

1 people found this helpful.
20

I was very doubtful of the answers regarding mr. Tanic and his battery reset but i tried it and it worked amazing. Thank you

2 people found this helpful.
35

It's an older thread, but heck...tanicc was ON POINT. Thank you!!! Disconnect neg Start position and gas to floor for 30 sec Reconnect neg Truck started and stayed running THANK YOU!!

3 people found this helpful.

Tannic know the fix. Have 2002 and have had to use a number of times over the years. Always is the fix.

Remove battery terminals take out relay put battery terminals back take battery terminals off go inside car press down on the brake and hold it for one or two seconds get out of your car put your battery terminal back in then put your security relay in the new one then shut your door lock it with the key open it up and start your vehicle

Worked for me....just had the problem today..1999 ram 1500....computer cut powerjust enough where it won't be right pressure..but reads fine pressure in file line

Craziest thing i ever saw, bad battery no idle, remove battery idle just fine?!? Dodge is just weird.

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