I have a 96 dodge ram 1500. And up until recently with the snow and bad weather it's been perfect. Since it's gotten cold i had to replace the thermostat. But along with troubles there, it's started shutting off when i come to a stop, it seems like the RPM dip too low.

In the morning some days i can just start it up and leave it to warm up, other's i have to stay with it and give it gas. but once i get it moving it seems to run into this problem.

If I stop at a stop sign, or a red light, it will shut off.

Now it won't if I keep my foot slightly on the accelerator and give it a little gas.

Does this mean that it's not getting enough gas to maintain an idle? and if so what can be done to remedy this.

try putting a throttle position sensor on it and this should make it idle correctly. usually these either go out when it is cold or real hot summer.

try putting a throttle position sensor on it and this should make it idle correctly. usually these either go out when it is cold or real hot summer.

fortunetly we happen to have BOTH hot summers and cold winters here in utah..

i'll give that a try, thanks mate

we lived in kanab when i was 8 . the tps should fix you up

could be the throttle position sensor, but I'd still check/clean the idle air controle valve.
on these trucks, when the engine is ideling, the throttle blade is compleatly closed, and the amount of air going in is controled by the IAC. if the IAC is sticking closed, or not able to open fully, it will cause idle problems.
the IAC is located on the back side (towards the fire wall) of the throttle body, and comes off with two screws. the only trick to removing it is to not drop the little O-ring that seals it to the throttle body.

I just had this exact same problem on my 98 Ram with a 318. I first checked the Throttle Position Sensor, and it seemed to work ok, but there were a few places where it would drop out and measure infinite resistance, so I changed that, but I still had my idle problem.

I then took out the Idle Air Control, and everything was still clean from when I cleaned it this past summer, so I went ahead and changed the Idle Air Control, and now it idles like a champ again.

Hi I just signed on here as a member. I have a 98 Dodge Ram 1500 318v8 and it just started this problem this past week when the temp dipped below zero for a couple weeks. Won't idle at a stop. Where is the Throttle position sensor located? I wonder which one I should try first?

Thanks,

Tim

Hi I just signed on here as a member. I have a 98 Dodge Ram 1500 318v8 and it just started this problem this past week when the temp dipped below zero for a couple weeks. Won't idle at a stop. Where is the Throttle position sensor located? I wonder which one I should try first?

Thanks,

Tim

If you are sure you have a good battery in your truck, I would try the Idle Air Control first.

These trucks will idle bad with a bad battery also.

The Idle air control is located on the top rear of the Throttle Body, that looks like the Carburetor. Make sure you follow the instructions that come with the Idle Air Control, which says to make sure the pindle isn't sticking out of the IAC body more than 1 1/8 inches. Sometimes you also have to take it for a steady 40 mph ride to set the IAC, if it seems to idle High, after replacing the IAC.

Sorry, I didn't realize you wanted to know where the Throttle Position Sensor was. The Throttle position sensor is located on the Driver's side of the Throttle body. Make sure you turn the throttle position sensor to the left a quarter turn then slide it into the hole, then turn it back upright so it lines up with the screw holes. The spring inside the Throttle position sensor should have a little tension on it when you install it in this manner. At least I think it was to the left. You can tell by looking at the TPS, and turning the insides with an appropiate sized screwdriver.

Thanks mikmic2. Much appreciated. I will check it out this weekend.