Bosses truck dies constantly
 

Hey fellas, my second employer has a 94 CTD 4x4. It has a bad habit of dying. You have to depress the accelerator slightly to get it to start. I believe he said the LP was replaced once and he was going to have to pay around 400 for the next one. Does this sound like his LP is toast and his VP44 is next? When you are driving it has plenty of power and such, but when you slow way down or stop it will die. I drove it 15 miles turned around and it died. Then I put it in reverse and it died. I have no idea what it is, but it sure sounds fuel related to me. Can you guys help with suggestions for me to give to him. He really loves his Dodges, but this one is a pill.

94 = no VP44
I dont know squat about the mecanical engines but it kindda sounds like a problem with the fuel shut off selenoid. Try posting this in the 12v section where hopefully some of the 12v guys can help.

Sounds more like the idle speed is set too low. Adjust it to 800-850 rpm's when at norm op temps.

OK I'll have him do that. Actually he will probably want me to do it. I guess I can find and figure it out. He had tranny work done and every since then he said he has had trouble. The t-case won't go into lo. And when we were up elk hunting he had lots of trouble with trying to accelerate in 4 wheel drive and it would act like it had no power then die. After some hard throttling and gear slamming it would finally go. I think he should trade it for a newer rig. But he got 357,000 on his 97 and plans on getting that or more on this one.

Any other ideas for why this thing might be dying?

Idle Speed Adjustment
http://dodgeram.org/tech/dsl/adjustm...d_Gen-Idle.htm

Idle speed is at 800.
What now?

I am not familiar with 94's but does it have a lock up convetrter??? If so is it completly unlocking.. You mentioned that he has had the problem since he had the trans worked on....

Gerry

Id go with infidel

idle speed adjustment, as well as possible shut off solenoid problem... more likely than not its the idle.. especially if it needs hard throttle...

Tx

Is that in gear with ac on??

Must be in gear as it makes a difference.

Another thing to look at is the fuel lines (from hard line to IP and in the back from the tank to the hard lines)

In gear yes. No a/c it's 30 degrees out. Are you thinking a pinched line?

pinched line? NO. The rubber supply and return lines have a tendency to develop very small holes that let air into the fuel system. The holes are really small and usually cant be seen, and in most cases do not leak fuel either. If he has never replaced the fuel lines, its time.

If you are replacing fuel lines, make sure you use diesel rated fuel hose, you can find it here:

http://www.fostertruck.com/dodge/

Dont chase problems that dont exist. If it just started after the tranny guy messed with it, take it and tell him to fix it. I thought idle speed at first, but if it is at 800rpm in drive, then it should be fine. Sounds to me like something in the tranny isnt working right?? Does it just die like a switch or does it sound like it is getting loaded down to the point that it is dying. If it runs fine once you get going, i dont think it could be fuel delivery. I think its a tranny problem. Good luck.

Eric

tie the shut off solenoid open with a string. that will eliminate it as being the possible problem... you'll have to cut the string to shut the engine off. i'm also thinking lockup is sticking, or maybe 2 clutches engaged at the same time.

Well the boss took me to breakfast this morning so we could talk about pay. Well on the way in we were talking about his truck and he said the RPM's drop to 500 and that is when it dies. Does that help a little?

Is this only when putting it in drive that it dies, or does it just out of the blue while idling in park drop down to 500rpm's, and die. I feel like its maybe something wrong with the torque converter, and that it is to tight or something? Might need a new one.

Eric