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Dodge Ram Cummins Diesel Questions

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Comments

  • red777red777 Member Posts: 22
    start with a change of the fuel filter, my 1997 only has one filter and when it gets dirty my truck will only run up to a certain rpm. dont know if it will work but it is the first thing that comes to mind and the cheapest starting point. it definitly sounds like a fuel problem. good luck
  • andygh2oandygh2o Member Posts: 1
    2005 5.9 cummins
    While in park my truck will surge to rpms of 2000-2500,if the throttle is tapped, and will not stop until it is put into gear or shut off. It also does this while going down hills. I have replace the transfer pump, the pressure was low, now that I have the right fuel pressure the problem is worse. any ideas
  • rvallejosrvallejos Member Posts: 1
    On my Dodge 3500, when running my air conditioner, the passenger side vent air is not cool. The driver's side is cold. Any ideas why?
  • KCRamKCRam Member Posts: 3,516
    Generally the first sign of low refrigerant.

    kcram - Pickups/Wagons Host
  • chivo666chivo666 Member Posts: 1
    i have an 04 5.9 diesel lots of trouble to start and when it starts it blows alot of black smoke!!
  • akers23akers23 Member Posts: 8
    I just bought a 1996 dodge ram 3500 dump with 84,000 miles from the original owner.however the idle is running high at 1.25 to almost 1.50.I dont want this to continue.someone said injector pump,and someone said there is an adjustment next to the throttle cable please help thanks
  • akers23akers23 Member Posts: 8
    Hello I just bought a 1996 dodge ram 3500 4x4 auto with the cummings.I was driving down the road hit a bump and the death wobble started, until i slowed down.I know this is common,but how do i fix it thanks Mike
  • akers23akers23 Member Posts: 8
    I figured out the idleing problem.The throttle cable needed to be lubed.I pb blasted it moved it back and forth,then drove it for a bit,and the idol went back to normal
  • KCRamKCRam Member Posts: 3,516
    Death Wobble can usually be addressed with new ball joints (Moog are recommended over the Mopar units). This is on the assumption that the alignment, shocks, tire balance, and track bar have all checked out already.

    kcram - Pickups/Wagons Host
  • ramchargerramcharger Member Posts: 21
    If you have checked the track arm and other wear parts, make sure you have 4 degrees caster and add a stablizing shock to the drag link.
  • feltfelt Member Posts: 105
    I wonder what the future holds? With Chryslers cloudy situation, and the government pushing hard towards small vehicles, I suspect our used diesels may become more valuable. You will need the big power to haul a trailer load of horses, or hay, or a RV; small electric "green" vehicle surely will not handle the task. Has anyone read any predictions for the big Cummins future?
  • 2500beast2500beast Member Posts: 2
    i have a 2003 dodge 2500 4x4 diesel. it had a slight engine miss so i took it to a friend of mine who works for dodge. he ran a test on it and said that injectors 3,4,6 were running low and needed to be replaced soon. so recently i took it to a dealer and had all 6 replaced so i would not have to worry about the others. when i went to pick it up now it runs worse than before. it runs rough at idle and while driving it and blows a little black smoke at idle. what could this be and how did they mess up my truck. i left it there and they still have not rechecked it.
  • partsman2kpartsman2k Member Posts: 15
    Well I have learned alot about cummins engines and Dodge dealers. Dodge dealers know NOTHING about cummins engines. I had the "DEAD PETAL "issue, took it to a Dodge dealer for diaganoise and was told it was the injector pump. I had a gut feeling so I took it to a 2nd dodge dealer, they again told me it was the injector pump. They both used a "Snap on" code scanner. (wrong tool) I went ahead and installed a new injector pump. $1,150 later the truck was just as weak as it was before. I then talked to a man that owned a diesel shop and works on them for a living, told him my problem and he immedtaly told me what was wrong. I replaced the MAP sensor also known as the (boost sensor) and the truck runs fine. If you have a problem you cant figure out, take it somewhere that they can hook it up to a LAP TOP not a code scanner.
  • partsman2kpartsman2k Member Posts: 15
    I just went through your situation TAKE IT TO A SHOP WHERE THEY CAN HOOK IT UP TO A .....LAP TOP..... a bad injector pump will make the "check engine" light come on and STAY ON.
  • davidlvgdavidlvg Member Posts: 3
    LOL! It sounds like your injectors were upgraded.... that's a common complaint when someone adds bigger injector nozzles but the only thing I can think of that is wrong is that the guys didn't pop check the injectors. If they pop off at to low of a pressure they won't atomize the fuel correctly and burn the diesel completely... which usually results in a rough idle and smoke!
  • 2500beast2500beast Member Posts: 2
    thanks but it was done at a dodge dealer and they are factory injectors, but as of today they still have not looked at it. still looking for answers may have to take it some where else
  • partsman2kpartsman2k Member Posts: 15
    Number 1...STAY AWAY from dodge dealers, they no nothing about cummins engines.They are only certified on DODGE engines only. Take it to a diesel engine shop and ask if they can hook it up to a lap-top. It will read engine preformance and any sensors that might be causing the problem. Dude Im sorry you spent unnessary money on rebuilding your tran.
  • partsman2kpartsman2k Member Posts: 15
    Before you buy a lift pump you might take it to a shop where they can put a fuel pressure gauge on it. If thats not the problem ...I would guess its the MAP sensor, also called the BOOST sensor.
  • rhino379rhino379 Member Posts: 5
    I have an 07 2500 with the 5.9. I have it BullyDogged with 5" exhaust and AFE stage 2 intake. I have had it on my truck for the past 2 years. About 3weeks ago when merging into traffic or getting "on it" a bit i throw an "overboost" code. I called Bully dog and they told me to put a boost fooler on it....is this right? I even set the truck back to "stock" and it still throws this code....please help me with more answers.
  • KCRamKCRam Member Posts: 3,516
    Since this is a discussion for the Cummins engine, I have moved the threads for the AC system over to the Dodge Ram Climate Control discussion and you can continue there.

    kcram - Pickups/Wagons Host
  • jond09jond09 Member Posts: 17
    How high is your boost getting? On a factory cummins motor you should keep your boost from going over 45psi. Anything above this you will need head studs to prevent a blown head gasket or other problems. It is not designed to handle higher boost from the factory. This is why I would not get a boost fooler. Your truck should have some kind of factory waste gate to prevent over boost. The computer controls on the truck should not allow your boost to get over a certain level. And since It still does it when your programmer is off I would think something in that area may be having a problem. I have an 06 and my boost will not go over 41psi stock or programmed.
  • rhino379rhino379 Member Posts: 5
    I do not have a boost gauge on my truck to tell me how high its getting. I was also informed to check my MAP sensor...is this tied into my wastgate opening? How would I check this?
  • rhino379rhino379 Member Posts: 5
    I have an O7 that does the same thing (with the lights dimming). The Diesel mechanic at my dealer said to me that it is perfectly normal.
  • csc2003dodgecsc2003dodge Member Posts: 1
    driver side blows cold but passenger side blows warm sometimes and cool at other times
  • KCRamKCRam Member Posts: 3,516
    You want the Dodge Ram Climate Control discussion. Lots of info on this very issue. (This discussion is for Cummins engine-related problems.)

    kcram - Pickups/Wagons Host
  • doublecreekdoublecreek Member Posts: 1
    My 2001 Cummins 2500 Ram will not start. I am not getting fuel to the fuel filter cannister and I have already replaced the lift pump. Is there any thing besides a clogged fuel line or stopped up pickup that would cause this. I think pump should run for 2 seconds when I turn the ignition switch on. Any input would be appreciated before pull the bed off to access the fuel tank.
  • jredmanjredman Member Posts: 1
    I have a 99 dodge ram 2500 5.9 cummins. The trasmisson is leaking when I put in gear. It even blew out the pan gasket once. I think it is producing to much pressure and I would like to know how to fix it.
  • condor74condor74 Member Posts: 7
    :cry: I am a Dodge truck technician and I have seen that problem multiple times. The answer is not what you are going to want to hear.

    If you have it set back to stock, and it is still throwing the overboost code, the most likely culprit is your turbocharger wastegate. At the dealer the wastegate comes with the turbo. So probably you will be installing a new turbo to get rid of that code.
  • rhino379rhino379 Member Posts: 5
    If it is set to stock, would my Cummins warranty cover it? I have 65k on it. If i put a boost fooler and monitor my boost pressure will it affect the turbo/ motor? How can I check my wastegate?
  • rhino379rhino379 Member Posts: 5
    If the truck is under warranty take it back....check your u-joints make sure they arent broken or cracked
  • condor74condor74 Member Posts: 7
    If you put your truck back to stock, remove all evidence that the bully dog was ever there, you should be able to get covered under warranty. We are pretty good at finding evidence of stuff so make sure there is no stickers that say bully dog, no velcro left over on the fuse box under the hood if you had a piggy back style controller, stuff like that.

    The technicians at the dealer get paid very little to make the repairs under warranty. If they find a way to make it go customer pay they get paid 2 times as much or more. Replacing a turbo under warranty is the worst. It only pays about 2 hours and it takes 4 or 5 hours to do if you are fast.

    If you have taken it to your local dealer and they have seen your Bully dog performance system then take it to another dealer that hasnt seen it.

    Good Luck.
  • phrenovatephrenovate Member Posts: 3
    My 2002 dodge diesel will shutdown while at highway speed, as I pull to the side of the road and slow to about 25mph it restarts. Then the check engine light comes on. The trouble codes are low voltage, fuel delivery and two others i can not remember. I have 296000 miles on the truck and otherwise it still runs great. The truck has done this 3x's in two weeks. I drive 200mi/day to and from work. Any thoughts or experiences with this?
  • condor74condor74 Member Posts: 7
    I have seen this complaint come through my shop and there is not much you can do about it. The vibrations that I have come across are all caused by driveshaft angle. The trucks were designed to be loaded. When the truck is unloaded the angle is off. If you adjust the pinion angle to the correct angle when unloaded the angle will be off when loaded.

    The best advise I could give you is something that probably wont be covered under any warranty. You could have the pinion angle adjusted so it is correct when the truck is unloaded. Then you could have some air bags installed on the rear suspension so you can lift the back of the truck back to the unloaded level when it is loaded. Airbags are nice caus you can tune the air pressure to the amount of load you have.

    It is amazing to me working at a shop , the amount of problems that could be fixed by explaining stuff to the customer with out ever raising a wrench on the truck. Unfortunately the mechanic who is working on your truck is not who you generally talk to. You generally talk to the service adviser, who in most cases doesnt know anything about cars and trucks. Half the time we dont get the whole storry or correct complaint that the customer made on the work order.
  • acatchotacatchot Member Posts: 1
    I have a 2003 Dodge with cummins. It has 130K miles. Last couple of days when I start off especially on a hill it feels real sluggish it will eventually go but I would compare it to taking off in third gear in a stick shift. Once get just a little speed everything is fine. No sputtering all else great. Any ideas are much appreciated.
  • phrenovatephrenovate Member Posts: 3
  • wcalvinwcalvin Member Posts: 1
    when sitting in hot weather will start alright then stall. while driving long distances i must keep foot on gas and brake as soon as i release foot from gas will stall .it starts alright ,but when cold no issues
  • turbodudeturbodude Member Posts: 8
    Common Problem, degrease entire area (prepare not to drive trck of at least 15 hours) Get some brake clean and RTV Silicone sealant. Take only three bolts out at a time. Clean bolts and threads with cleaner. When dry put RTV on bolt threads and flange. Tighten to factory specs. Let dry overnight. Oil escapes past the treads on the oil pan bolts.
    Rick
  • harryw32harryw32 Member Posts: 4
    My friend let his truck roll into a boat ramp with the engine running. He has cleaned out the water and changed the oil and filter. He can pull the truck and the engine will crank and run at idle. If you try to increase rpm it dies.It has fuel to the injection pump but very little to injectors. Any suggestions.
    Harry
  • hondacrf450hondacrf450 Member Posts: 1
    I have a 2000 2500 cummins with the exact same problem, what was the solution?
  • tpeschkatpeschka Member Posts: 1
    Hi, i'm responding on behalf of my dad--he's been driving a diesel for 19 years.

    Be sure to check fuel emergency shutdown solenoids and sensors. he thinks that after a while they can go bad on you. he had trouble like that with his truck after he got into an accident, like the damage messed with those components especially.
  • fred92fred92 Member Posts: 2
    2004 Dodge 3500 My bulldog is causing my truck to blow steady black smoke in the towhall mode.Has anyone else had this happin thanks Fred92
  • pete93pete93 Member Posts: 1
    I own an 07' 2500 w/the 5.9L & 6 speed manual trans, 88k miles...bought it new-love the truck. This just started the last two weeks, that when the jake brake is on, it cuts in and out by itself. It seems to be worse in 6th. Dealer says its a failing vacuum pump--not covered by cummins warrantee, they want $1100 to replace it. Does this sound right? This is my first cummins, when the jake brake is on it sounds like there is an air leak...always has, is that normal?
  • keeper734keeper734 Member Posts: 1
    I have a 95' ram 2500 with the 5.9L cummins. The truck runs great but seems to be sluggish and shifts at about 1800 rpm. The truck will only go about 65mph top speed. Now i have it geared low with the 4.10 but any ideas why its so slow, also feels it real bad when i tow something with it. Great truck, about 150,000 miles. Any ideas?
  • arvmanarvman Member Posts: 95
    Hello all.Long time member on the jeep forum.Traded in 05 liberty diesel for 06 ram 2500 quad cab 2whl drv.got the truck for pulling my travel trailer(7000 lbs).Most r.v.er's like the cummins and what I hear is the engine is good.I learned a lot from the little diesel,great machinedidn't want to give it up but got a smokin deal on trade.I hear the tranny is the weak link on these trucks.Can anyone elaborate on any issues and fixes reference this.I'm not hauling long distance yet but will probably put a lot of time and money into tranny before I do.So far the truck is great,lookin forward to some fun and future mods...
  • jellisndnlvrjellisndnlvr Member Posts: 1
    I resently had the injectors changed on my 2006 dodge cummins 2500 at 54,000 miles by the dealership, while in the shop they also did a program update. The problem is before I took it in my trip odometer never showed below 17mpg intown and hwy was 21-25mpg. The day after I got it back my trip odometer dropped to 14-16 hwy and 12-13 intown. I took it back to the dealership after I put 2000 miles on it and told them what was happening I initially thought it was the wrong injectors or they fowled my computer up, but the dealership insists there is nothing wrong that I do need a valve adjustment the vehicle now has 59,000 miles and still getting at best 16mpg hwy. What has happened to the truck I used to own? Did the dealership do something wrong?
  • lonnie13lonnie13 Member Posts: 3
    Has anyone had a problem with a turn signal failure for the trailer hook up? I lost my left turn signal for the trailer. The wire from the fuse box to the plug on the rear bumper is fine. The problem is someplace in the fuse box. According to the wiring diagram there are relay's for each side (one for left signal and one for the right) in the fuse box. Also there is a silver box appx 4" X 6" and about 2" thick on the end of the fuse box that the turn signal runs through. I can't figure it out and was hoping someone out there has dealt with this before. Any help would be appreciated.
    Thanks,
    Lonnie
  • skoalman04skoalman04 Member Posts: 1
    I have an 07 with the 6.7l 6 speed manual and I had the same failure at 34,000 miles. I did have to replace a vacuum pump but mine was covered by warranty. You should not hear an air leak only a little turbo whistle when the brake is on. Dealer told me it is also a good idea to drive with the exhaust brake on all the time, not just while towing.
    I love the truck but after a new vacuum pump, turbo, egr, and multiple flash updates I am getting a little tired of seeing my dealer.
  • shadowmercshadowmerc Member Posts: 1
    I have a 99 3500 it has 133112 miles i have a welding machine on it,it seems to struggle on take off and to maintain highway speed on inclines. Any ideas?
  • jeeepjeeep Member Posts: 5
    Hi, I have a 04.5 4x4 5.9L 6 speed manual 3500 all stock. I had got it new and it now has 43,000ml. In the last 3 yr I haven't dove it a lot, I mainly drive it on long trips and a round town. My question is what is the normal running temp suppose to be? It looks like its running a bit hot lately, at 65 and 70 it use to run at 195, now its at 200 on flat roads not pulling anything and nothing in the bed. when I climb hills it would go up to 200 now it go's to 203. could there be something happening to make it run hotter now? less power and making the turbo run more? The only thing been done to it is change the oil every 3,000ml and have change the air filter with stock and fuel filter 5 month ago. sometimes I don't drive it for like 3 or 4 weeks. Could it be a injector? I think I do feel a little vibration but was thinking it normal. All this just started 4 month ago.

    Thanks for any help.
  • oly2oly2 Member Posts: 10
    I don't know what is causing your problem but my 96 automatic runs at 180 to 185
    even at above 100 degree weather. Have you checked your coollant or had it flushed. Also check your hoses maybe you have one that is collapsing.
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