Rough idle and hard start solved... - Page 4

bpf3ak · 02-08-2009, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BighornCTD

Well I am crossing my fingers on this one. My truck has been plagued with the same symptoms which the dealer has never been able to fix for the last 20K miles.

Last weekend I was under the truck investigating a coolant leak and decided to look at this. All I did was pull some slack in the wires so they weren't up against the compressor. It was cold and I was laying in my driveway so I didn't put on any loom yet, but I will as soon as I get it pulled in the shop. I couldn't get a good enough look to see bare spots, but will look closer to see.

So far it seems to be running much better, like it was new again. And my overhead is reading 20 mpg (should be about 18 hand calc'd) which would be a record for me driving to work and back. :thumbsup Funny thing is this has been an intermittent problem...maybe changing oil filters has disturbed the wire enough to make it either better or worse?

i heard of some similar situations from my friends

4bymike · 02-09-2009, 01:26 AM

Hey everybody, I'm new to this forum and have a minor problem with my 06' 5.9. When I first start the truck and let it warm up, my lights dim for 3 to 5 seconds then go back to full power, and my amp meter goes down to 7 to 9 volts then back. Is this an indication of a bad alt?

millco · 02-09-2009, 05:06 AM

John is right! I have really black oil right after changing it. Even before starting it the first time after the change! Just how they are..... (I was told they hold a quart or more in the pan because of the way the drain is threaded in the pan. I will look when I change in the next few days.)

I mis understood when I first read about this and checked my wires. I will have to go back and look at the pics at the beginning of this thread and then recheck the truck. I may have put wire loom on different wires. I may still have this problem or it may still be a potential one for me. This is one of those things that is gonna happen. It is just a question of when. May happen under 50,k miles; may wait till well after 100,k....... I was under a newer '08 and it had the same design problem. Dodge in their infinite wisdom, placed a stand off hanger on this wire (The one behind the A/C compressor). Problem was, the hanger was positioned wrong and holding the wire against metal so it could still rub through and ground itself out! I tell you, you have to watch them all the time! I guess at least they realized this has been a problem and they tried to fix it!

4bymike,
This is perfectly normal. It is your grid heater cycling after you start the truck (Known as 'after glow') It will do this each time you start the truck even if the engine is already fully warmed up (Like if you just stop for fuel). It will continue to cycle for about 2 minutes after each start up when the outside temp is under like 60F or until you go over 18 MPH. Hope this helps. As long as your lights come back up to full brightness your alternator is probably just fine. The grid heater is a 200 amp draw so it will pull the volts way down and dim all your lights.

AH64ID · 02-09-2009, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4bymike

Hey everybody, I'm new to this forum and have a minor problem with my 06' 5.9. When I first start the truck and let it warm up, my lights dim for 3 to 5 seconds then go back to full power, and my amp meter goes down to 7 to 9 volts then back. Is this an indication of a bad alt?

As millco said, perfectly normal. Its your grid heater, which draws about 200 amps, plus the other stuff running, on a 120 amp alt...

I prefer to leave my headlight off while idling with the grid heater on.. but thats just preference.

__________________
2005 3500 SRW 4X4 QC LB NV-5600, Jake Brake, Smarty Jr Revo, Airiad MIT, GDP Intake Horn, GDP MK2+ w/ Cat 2um, Baldwin BF1212, Amsoiled, Pricols

anth369 · 02-11-2009, 04:53 PM

04 short bed over the past 6 weeks little more time to start
the other day started her up to warm up noticed a lumpy idle only through the exhaust and a bit noisey on top end more like a diesel nock but stiil running ok run a banks six speed and speed loader i was going to that check tomorow
but will check the wires under the oil filter hope that fixes the problem this is the best forum always good help in england uk dodge do not import diesel rams if you go to a dealership it like you are from another planet

4bymike · 02-11-2009, 10:09 PM

Thanks everyone for the quick answers to my questions. I thought my alt was going out on me.. Is the dealer the only one that can recalibrate my speedometer, and activate my high idle? The dealer where I bought my 06' wants $100. Thanks 4bymike.

ilovemydiesel04.5 · 02-14-2009, 03:44 AM

thats pretty neat

__________________

2004.5 2500 Long bed Reg Cab
A/R Teflon Coated Rims,Wrapped in 33" Hankook M/T's,BHAF,smarty,Ts Performance Ramifier 100hp Pressure Box.4 inch exhaust Rat Rod style. Autometer boost,egt,tranny.Isspro fuel pressure.w6. Valve body,input shaft,T/C stb.

fireram5 · 02-18-2009, 09:24 PM

I have 03 with hard start problems . Grid heater not working . Will not start without little shot of either in the air cleaner. Can shut it off in 33degree weather and 30minutes later needs either to start. Runs rough idles rough but when warm runs fine seems like it might have a little miss .What you all think? Thanks in advance. New to site . After I get it running right I can hit you all up for performance mods.

4bymike · 03-13-2009, 05:20 PM

Does anyone know if the headlights on my 06' are adjustable (up-down). I'm getting alot of middle fingers when I drive by people at night, they think I have my high beams on..Thanks

***fuzzy645*** · 04-16-2009, 12:30 PM

issue with starting, starts fine, runs smooth, but, will not accelerate for a few seconds, ( feels like a dead pedal)

__________________
2006, 3500 Big Horn dually 4x4, mega, 6 speed manual, triple pod pillar gauge, valentine1 radar detector, gps, bd ultrax,
OLD-- 2000 4x4 dually, quad, 6speed manual, pillar gauges, centerforce clutch, VanAaken tuner, +-240,000 miles, for sale.

Last edited by fuzzy645 : 04-16-2009 at 12:31 PM. Reason: spelling

Grassman · 05-04-2009, 11:44 PM

My rig has a bit of a rough idle at times. More or less the whole truck shakes you feel it in the seat. This past winter I thought the truck was going to die. I was plowing and just idling the truck at the time and it wanted to die.

Only other Issue besides the other issues like water pump & injector pump going on a 07 with 40'000 miles

is the truck does a burp or a hick up sometimes after start up.

Then today it threw a code P0103 mass air flow high currant. I played with the plug a lil and the CEL light is gone.

More concerned about the hick up. Any ideas about that?

__________________
2007 5.9 4x4 Quad Cab Straight piped

andyman1635 · 05-08-2009, 03:50 PM

Drove my truck today... almost had to call a cab to get home... thought maybe I should park it and put flowers around it POS... died FOUR times... just quit dead no petal and shut off. sat for a while and I got it going again then dies a mile or so down the friggin road.. I am so sick of this problem, I dont even want to use it for a short trip. Much less if I really have to go somewhere.. Good thing we have a 97 Wrangler at least that runs. It is a 2003 3500, I put a new lift pump on a month ago.. it was better not 100% but better for a few days and then we are back dealing with this crap all over again... I am tired of this.. I checked those wires by the AC compressor and did not see any nicks but I will look again and tape them and wire loom them. Maybe I should not have put on the stock pump as a replacement. I start it and it just idles between 700 and 800 rpm's and then dies like you shut the key off. I am totally at a loss as to what the fix it for this. Any other ideas out there? Please any help would be great.

02-11-2009, 04:53 PM	#41 (permalink)
anth369 Newbie Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 23 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts anth369's Truck Pics	lumpy idle high idle 04 short bed over the past 6 weeks little more time to start the other day started her up to warm up noticed a lumpy idle only through the exhaust and a bit noisey on top end more like a diesel nock but stiil running ok run a banks six speed and speed loader i was going to that check tomorow but will check the wires under the oil filter hope that fixes the problem this is the best forum always good help in england uk dodge do not import diesel rams if you go to a dealership it like you are from another planet

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02-09-2009, 01:26 AM	#38 (permalink)
4bymike Newbie Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: California Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts 4bymike's Truck Pics	Hey everybody, I'm new to this forum and have a minor problem with my 06' 5.9. When I first start the truck and let it warm up, my lights dim for 3 to 5 seconds then go back to full power, and my amp meter goes down to 7 to 9 volts then back. Is this an indication of a bad alt?

02-09-2009, 05:06 AM	#39 (permalink)
millco Cummins Nut Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Idaho Posts: 347 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts millco's Truck Pics	John is right! I have really black oil right after changing it. Even before starting it the first time after the change! Just how they are..... (I was told they hold a quart or more in the pan because of the way the drain is threaded in the pan. I will look when I change in the next few days.) I mis understood when I first read about this and checked my wires. I will have to go back and look at the pics at the beginning of this thread and then recheck the truck. I may have put wire loom on different wires. I may still have this problem or it may still be a potential one for me. This is one of those things that is gonna happen. It is just a question of when. May happen under 50,k miles; may wait till well after 100,k....... I was under a newer '08 and it had the same design problem. Dodge in their infinite wisdom, placed a stand off hanger on this wire (The one behind the A/C compressor). Problem was, the hanger was positioned wrong and holding the wire against metal so it could still rub through and ground itself out! I tell you, you have to watch them all the time! I guess at least they realized this has been a problem and they tried to fix it! 4bymike, This is perfectly normal. It is your grid heater cycling after you start the truck (Known as 'after glow') It will do this each time you start the truck even if the engine is already fully warmed up (Like if you just stop for fuel). It will continue to cycle for about 2 minutes after each start up when the outside temp is under like 60F or until you go over 18 MPH. Hope this helps. As long as your lights come back up to full brightness your alternator is probably just fine. The grid heater is a 200 amp draw so it will pull the volts way down and dim all your lights.

02-11-2009, 10:09 PM	#42 (permalink)
4bymike Newbie Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: California Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts 4bymike's Truck Pics	Thanks everyone for the quick answers to my questions. I thought my alt was going out on me.. Is the dealer the only one that can recalibrate my speedometer, and activate my high idle? The dealer where I bought my 06' wants $100. Thanks 4bymike.

02-14-2009, 03:44 AM	#43 (permalink)
ilovemydiesel04.5 Cummins Nut Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Northern NJ Posts: 1,339 Thanks: 35 Thanked 25 Times in 23 Posts ilovemydiesel04.5's Truck Pics	thats pretty neat __________________ 2004.5 2500 Long bed Reg Cab A/R Teflon Coated Rims,Wrapped in 33" Hankook M/T's,BHAF,smarty,Ts Performance Ramifier 100hp Pressure Box.4 inch exhaust Rat Rod style. Autometer boost,egt,tranny.Isspro fuel pressure.w6. Valve body,input shaft,T/C stb.

02-18-2009, 09:24 PM	#44 (permalink)
fireram5 Newbie Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts fireram5's Truck Pics	I have 03 with hard start problems . Grid heater not working . Will not start without little shot of either in the air cleaner. Can shut it off in 33degree weather and 30minutes later needs either to start. Runs rough idles rough but when warm runs fine seems like it might have a little miss .What you all think? Thanks in advance. New to site . After I get it running right I can hit you all up for performance mods.

03-13-2009, 05:20 PM	#45 (permalink)
4bymike Newbie Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: California Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts 4bymike's Truck Pics	Does anyone know if the headlights on my 06' are adjustable (up-down). I'm getting alot of middle fingers when I drive by people at night, they think I have my high beams on..Thanks

04-16-2009, 12:30 PM	#46 (permalink)
*fuzzy645* Cummins Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Vanderhoof B.C. Posts: 134 Thanks: 1 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post fuzzy645's Truck Pics	issue with starting, starts fine, runs smooth, but, will not accelerate for a few seconds, ( feels like a dead pedal) __________________ 2006, 3500 Big Horn dually 4x4, mega, 6 speed manual, triple pod pillar gauge, valentine1 radar detector, gps, bd ultrax, OLD-- 2000 4x4 dually, quad, 6speed manual, pillar gauges, centerforce clutch, VanAaken tuner, +-240,000 miles, for sale. Last edited by fuzzy645 : 04-16-2009 at 12:31 PM. Reason: spelling

05-04-2009, 11:44 PM	#47 (permalink)
Grassman Cummins Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 134 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Grassman's Truck Pics	My rig has a bit of a rough idle at times. More or less the whole truck shakes you feel it in the seat. This past winter I thought the truck was going to die. I was plowing and just idling the truck at the time and it wanted to die. Only other Issue besides the other issues like water pump & injector pump going on a 07 with 40'000 miles is the truck does a burp or a hick up sometimes after start up. Then today it threw a code P0103 mass air flow high currant. I played with the plug a lil and the CEL light is gone. More concerned about the hick up. Any ideas about that? __________________ 2007 5.9 4x4 Quad Cab Straight piped

05-08-2009, 03:50 PM	#48 (permalink)
andyman1635 Newbie Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Jersey Posts: 14 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts andyman1635's Truck Pics	Drove my truck today... almost had to call a cab to get home... thought maybe I should park it and put flowers around it POS... died FOUR times... just quit dead no petal and shut off. sat for a while and I got it going again then dies a mile or so down the friggin road.. I am so sick of this problem, I dont even want to use it for a short trip. Much less if I really have to go somewhere.. Good thing we have a 97 Wrangler at least that runs. It is a 2003 3500, I put a new lift pump on a month ago.. it was better not 100% but better for a few days and then we are back dealing with this crap all over again... I am tired of this.. I checked those wires by the AC compressor and did not see any nicks but I will look again and tape them and wire loom them. Maybe I should not have put on the stock pump as a replacement. I start it and it just idles between 700 and 800 rpm's and then dies like you shut the key off. I am totally at a loss as to what the fix it for this. Any other ideas out there? Please any help would be great.