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1997 Dodge Ram Starts Shuts Off

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Tweeter

12-10-2006 12:20:34




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I changed the spark plugs and wire set in my 1997 Dodge Ram 1500 318 MFI motor. As soon as I start the truck it shuts off or dies. If I give it a little gas, it will then run and idle but if I rev it quick the RPM's fall fast and it shuts off again. I dont think there is a fuel filter in line anywhere.




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M T Pockets

12-10-2006 21:25:27




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 Re: 1997 Dodge Ram Starts Shuts Off in reply to Tweeter, 12-10-2006 12:20:34  
Tweeter, try this first. Start the engine and get it to idle. Set the parking brake. Put the transmission in Drive. Let the truck idle with the parking brake set for 5 minutes. This will reset the idle speed in the ECM. I drive Dodges and I have had to do this several times. Usually after a dead battery or disconnecting the battery for any reason. Let us know what fixes it. Steve.



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farmerjohninpa

12-10-2006 19:43:10




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 Re: 1997 Dodge Ram Starts Shuts Off in reply to Tweeter, 12-10-2006 12:20:34  
tweeter,,take this for what it is worth. my wife has a durango with the same 318 mfi but is a 1999. 3 weeks ago she hopped in to run in town and it would start and after 2 seconds it would shut off. flutter the throttle and it would keep running but not right. called my friend (an ace dodge tech. ) and he said put in a new battery, stating that it was the orininal and the voltage was low, and that a sensor is reading it as such and shuts the car off. well after an hour of laughing i put in a new battery and the car runs great again !! put the old battery on an old chevy and it starts and runs fine ever since . i can`t figure it out.

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marlowe

12-10-2006 18:30:37




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 Re: 1997 Dodge Ram Starts Shuts Off in reply to Tweeter, 12-10-2006 12:20:34  
use champion plugs only



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Hobo,NC

12-10-2006 15:30:00




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 Re: 1997 Dodge Ram Starts Shuts Off in reply to Tweeter, 12-10-2006 12:20:34  
You did not tell why you did a tune up so I kin only assume you did it as preventive maintenance My best段zz guess izz to check the firing order, 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2 clockwise on the cap with # 1 @ 7:30 look段n from the front of the engine. Right bank pass side 2-4-6-8
Left bank drivers side 1-3-5-7
Its very possible to cross # 6 and 8 and it run rite well with a slight skip. BTDT and seen it quite often.
The 2 most common problems I have seen are the lower intake gasket blow , will cause a very unstable idle and these trucks are bad to ware the valve seats slap out. I use ONLY Belden plug wires from NAPA they are the best money kin buy bar none. I also use only Autolite plugs, I would段n even think about stop段n up a hole with Champions. Support yer local Mechanic, you may need弾m sum day.

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Tweeter

12-10-2006 15:58:23




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 Re: 1997 Dodge Ram Starts Shuts Off in reply to Hobo,NC, 12-10-2006 15:30:00  
I did use the Beldon wire set from my NAPA dealer and also the Autolite plugs. There were Champions in it. I changed the wires cause I heard small ticks and zaps when at idle. I replaced the plugs because it would be ridiculous not to. I guess I'll check the firing order again.



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Chris young

12-10-2006 14:18:10




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 Re: 1997 Dodge Ram Starts Shuts Off in reply to Tweeter, 12-10-2006 12:20:34  
Hi Bob First, Dodges don"t run good except on oem tune up parts. Working as a Dodge mechanic for 20+ years the bigest problem I"v seen after people perform there own tune-up is that they do not use oem plugs, wires, caps and rotor. If the problem just started after you did the tune up, DO not worry about the fuel filter, First what kind of tune-up parts did you use? Only use Champion plugs and the # plug is on your engine ID tag on your radiator support, use only mopar wires. once you have done that the computer needs to relearn the new values (parts) unless you have a dodge scanner to reset all values which I now you don"t have your going to have to drive it for at least 12 to 15 miles so that the ECM (computer) can relearn the new values itself. Another possible problem is you IAC motor (idle air control)is dirty. The IAC controls the idle like when your A/C is turned on it raises the idle so the engine will not die. It"s an easy fix. Provided you used OEM tune-up parts. The IAC motor is mounted on the back of your thottle body. The gasket between your air filter housing and the thottle body brakes or your air filter housing is not installed correctly after the air filter housing is removed for service can let lots of dirt into you IAC motor causing bad idle and even stalling. Buy a can of thottle boby cleaner ( not carb cleaner), remove the air filter housing and while engine is running spray cleaner in the IAC intake port (top and back of the throttle body just in front of where the IAC motor is mounted to the throttle body, as you are doing this the engine will want to die so keep the rpm"s up by operating the throttle at the same time. And then again you have to reset ECM values! AGIAN, never use autozone tune-up parts or ford autolight plugs on dodges or the crapy split fire plugs!!! Always use OEM parts on todays ECM controled engines or you will have lots of problems including your "CK engine light" comming on, miss fire, and bad fuel mileage!!! My email is open if you have any more ? Chris

Hotchkiss, CO

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Chris Young

12-10-2006 14:24:37




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 Re: 1997 Dodge Ram Starts Shuts Off in reply to Chris young, 12-10-2006 14:18:10  
for Tweeter not Bob, Sorry One more thing! make sure your wires are in the correct firing order!! Chris

Hotchkiss, CO



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Bob

12-10-2006 12:32:28




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 Re: 1997 Dodge Ram Starts Shuts Off in reply to Tweeter, 12-10-2006 12:20:34  
The Goat Head company thoughtfully located the fuel filter IN the fuel tank, BENEATH the fuel pump. COULD be a clogged filter or a failed pump, as well as a host of other things.

Before tearing into it, check the fuel pressure, to see if that is really the problem.



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souNdguy

12-10-2006 13:04:37




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 Re: 1997 Dodge Ram Starts Shuts Off in reply to Bob, 12-10-2006 12:32:28  
I was there 3ys ago with my 98 dodge ram.. what a @#$% job to replace that filter... it was a few hundred bucks too.

You are right on with the pressure as a check.. mine was at 6psi befor ethe filter change.

Soundguy



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Tweeter

12-10-2006 12:57:37




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 Re: 1997 Dodge Ram Starts Shuts Off in reply to Bob, 12-10-2006 12:32:28  
How do I go about checking the pressure? Is the filter part of the fuel pump?



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Bob

12-10-2006 13:07:30




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 Re: 1997 Dodge Ram Starts Shuts Off in reply to Tweeter, 12-10-2006 12:57:37  
IIRC, a Dodge of that era would have a capped "Shrader valve" (looks like an R-12 AC service port) in the fuel rail interconnecting the injectors. You need to buy or borrow a gauge that will connect to that port.

The fuel pressure will be 40+ PSI... better find out the exact "spec's.

It have replaced the fuel filter in a '96, and, if your's is still made like that, the filter has 2 metal tabs that snap onto the pump assembly.

Hopefully, you can check the fuel pressure, and go from there. There are probably a dozen things besides a bad filter or pump that could cause the lack of power and stalling, but checking the fuel pressure is a good place to start.

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souNdguy

12-10-2006 13:06:22




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 Re: 1997 Dodge Ram Starts Shuts Off in reply to Tweeter, 12-10-2006 12:57:37  
Bob's got a good idea. I had this happen a few years back... gotta drop the tank to R&R the filter... nice full day job.

You can check pressure under the hood with a screw on gauge on a fitting on the pump pressureized side of the FI system.



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Tweeter

12-12-2006 15:51:42




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 Re: 1997 Dodge Ram Starts Shuts Off in reply to souNdguy, 12-10-2006 13:06:22  
Thanks for all the help everyone. I replaced the battery and everything is working fine now. Thanks for the answers to my problem and Im glad that I turned to YTMAG for the answer. Saved some bucks too.



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