1997 Ram Pickup Won't Start

[plainsdrifter]

I have a 1997 Dodge,1500 Pickup that I drove with no problems. Unexpectedly, had trouble starting. Could only start by depressing accelerator and would not idle or run without constant acceleration. Took home, started fine with no problems two or three times. Figured must be a fluke. Then, same problem with starting/idling requiring depression of accelerator. Changed distributor cap and rotor, checked plugs, but no change in symptoms. Starter turns over good, but I cannot get ignition without stomping accelerator and, if I do get to idle, engine dies immediately after I take foot off gas. Could it be fuel pump failure, or, I am afraid to say, an expensive electronic problem?

[redneck_cadillac01]

Let me ask you, once its warmed up and u shut it off, will it fire right back up and idle? Or do you still need to hammer the pedel?

[plainsdrifter]

Even if I am able to coax it into idling with the accelerator, and actually move the vehicle down the road, when it finally dies from lack of acceleration, I encounter the same problem in restarting. Even after warm up I have the same problem.

[RHooper20]

I have a '99 2500 5.9L with the same problem. It was driving fine, then one night it would barely start, unless I held down the accelerator and kept up the RPM's. Once I let off it dies... everytime. Fuel problem? Throttle body position sensor?

[1thunder]

does battery seem weak check with volt meter and check if voltage drops below 10 volts when cranking if so i would replace battery and then relearn adaptive memory and AIS counter because computor looses this type of internal memory and has no ideal of where to position AIS motor so you have to asist start up with accelorator and also to keep it running. If you runn it long enough without to many accesories on it will relearn positions somewhat but it will take time this is very very common problem

[bigkane01]

Could be a bad IAC (Idle Air Control) valve, located on the rear of the throttle body. I had a similiar problem on my 97 Ram 5.9. Only difference is my engine would start and run, but it wouldn't hold a steady idle. It jumped up and down real crazy like, jerked and when I came to a stop. I had to hold the gas and brake when stopping because it acted like it was gonna die. I first replaced my Throttle Position Sensor, which is located on the drivers side of the Throttle body, but then it turned up to be the IAC. I would take it to your nearest Autozone and have them check it for free with their handheld. I probably could have saved a few bucks if I had done that first, but I didn't know about their free scan prior to changing those sensors. Good Luck.

[redneck_cadillac01]

I took my truck to a couple places, and they never could find a problem. So i just desided to start replacing stuff. I dropped the fuel tank and replaced the fuel pump, then the fuel filter. Next i tried switching out the throttle-body. But then the stupid thing started running rich...(bad injectors on the new throttle-body). So i switched back to the original one. The very last thing I replaced was the coolent-temp. sensor. After that it ran great, never had another problem. The only difference with my situation is after the truck got warmed up from driving...it would idle alittle better. Its proubly something very simple...it sounds like the engine is getting info. from somewhere that its getting to much fuel. Try the simple things first like changeing the thermostate, coolent-temp. sensor, and things like that. You'd be surprised what problems can start with those little things being off. Also, I know Bleeddodge always told me he thought it might be the cat. converter causing my problems...but in a '97 & 99 i dont know.

[BleedDodge]

Sounds like either the idle air control valve or throttle position sensor would be at fault. Might also be the converter but it sounds like it's starting too easily for it to be that, I dunno. Idle air control valve is where I would start.

[plainsdrifter]

After reading Big Kane's message about the IAC, I bought the part and I'm on the road again. Thanks for all the advice!