1997 Dodge Ram 1500

I have a 96 ram 1500 with what I think is the same problem as yours I've had it to the dealership and so far the only thing they can come up with is that the pcm loses power and the settings for the idle air control are lost when this happens. Its going in tomorrow again so they can hopefully figure out why it loses power. If you already figured out the answer to your problem let me know the fix.

I have a similar problem.
I have the 3.9L V6 with the 3 speed auto.

Cold start starts up perfect every time, even in -20 snowy weather. If I run the truck for a while, shut it off, and try and turn it back on. It fires but then wants to "stall" and dies. If I keep my foot on it, it will keep running. Usually takes a good 5 min of my foot into it to keep it from dieing. Some times at a stop sign it will die if I don't put my foot into it, or if I go up a drive way it will die. It seems worse in the summer sun or on hot days.

I worked at a Dodge dealer for a while so I got service at half price, so I've had it in the shop a few times for the issue, as far as the tech's can tell there is "nothing" wrong. No bad codes are returned, but they did suggest changing my plugs and wires. It helped a little at first, but the same situation returned. Other reseach I've done into it suggests that it might have to do with air intake. Some thing with the mass air flow sensor.

Any thoughts?

MY 1997 DODGE RAM 1500 DIES EVERYTIME I LET OFF THE GAS, SEAMS TO ME THE FUEL FILTER NEED CHANGED SO I SENT MY DAUGHER IN AND SHE WAS TOLD WOULD BE $500 TO CHANGE IN TANK FILTER AND PUMP. THIS SEAMS CRAZY! DOES IT SOUND LIKLY AND DO I NEED PUMP TOO?

[quote="swier162"]I have a 97 Ram 1500 with 105,000 miles on it. Lately I have had trouble starting it and one it has started it would die out if I did not keep my foot on the gas pedal at all times. It would continue to not idle until I ran the truck for about 15 minutes that would run fine for about a day. I figured I had water in the gas but isopropyl did not do the trick. I was wondering if anyone had an idea what was wrong with it.[/Quote]

I TIRED THE ISOPROPYL TOO, NOT WORKING, DIES EVERYTIME SLOW DOWN OR LET OFF GASS
DID YOU HAVE ANY LUCK IN SOLVING?

So you can read about the problem I was having above. Simplar to everyone elses on this page.
I solved it. For me atleast.

I was running a K&N air filter. I took it out and put a paper one in. Seemed to solve every thing. The filter only cost $4, it was worth a try.

Some ideas I have to why this could have solved it:
1) K&N was alowing too much air in during start up. Air/fuel mix was too lean.

2)it would start during cold starts because the K&N oil was cool and "hard", when I tried a hot start, the oil had warmed up and was being sucked into the engine (either fumes or liquid oil).

3) I over oiled, same as #2 but the warm oil expanded and wouldn't let as much air through when it needed it, air/ fuel mix was to rich.

Or maybe those are all wrong. But i've solved my problem. Hope this helps you solve yours.

Yee, the fuel pump/ filter are in the tank. Its a real pain in the ass to change, and can be expensive too. If you think this is the problem get your dodge dealer to check what codes your truck is putting out in the computer, if it is a problem with either the filter or pump there is a code for each that will be displayed. If there is no code. There is no problem.

I also have a Dodge Ram 1500 '97. It died on me today and won't stay running. It dies right after you start it. I used my ODBII reader and it returned no diagnostic codes. However, up until the time the truck died I was getting a P0320 error code. The generic code book that came with my reader says that it is an Ignition/Distributor Engine Speed Input Circuit Malfunction. I haven't been able to do anything yet about it, but I believe that may be the problem. Hope this helps anyone.

I have a 97 dodge ram 1500 I drive for work with the same prob. I changed the spark plugs, air and oil filters and still had same problem. Then I used the trucks computer to figure out what was wrong. I turned the key on, then off, then on and off, then back on again without starting the truck and it flashed a 12 code which was a disconnect or ground for the battery, when I checked the ground terminal on the battery was loose, I tighten the terminal and it fixed my problem.