Truck starts but shuts off immediately

Tiny
MATT0NC
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 RAM 1500
  • 3.9L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 87,800 MILES
My truck starts fine, but shuts off. If I keep my foot on the gas it will run. I can let it out all the way down to what the normal idle is and it stays running, but as soon as I let off it shuts off. After five to ten minutes it will finally start idling on its own and everything runs fine. Even if I stop, turn off the engine, and start after being in a store while running errands it has been fine, but if it sets for a few hours I have to force it to run until it starts working again. The truck has hesitated or dropped rpm's a few times in the past, but never shut off. This started a week ago and is taking longer to start idling on its own each time I have to go somewhere.
Saturday, October 28th, 2017 AT 7:08 PM

1 Reply

Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 34,330 POSTS
At some point recently the battery was disconnected or run drained. The engine computer needs to relearn "minimum throttle" before it will know when it must be in control of idle speed. Until that occurs, you may need to hold the accelerator pedal down 1/4" for the engine to run, as you observed, you won't get the nice idle flare-up to 1500 rpm at start-up, and it will tend to stall at stop signs.

To meet the conditions for the relearn to take place, drive at highway speed with the engine warmed up, then coast for at least seven seconds without touching the pedals.
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Sunday, October 29th, 2017 AT 3:34 PM

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