In the mornings when it is cold about 30 or less i seem to have trouble starting my truck and it staying running without it being plugged in. I will start it and if i dont have the pedal down just alittle bit giving it fuel it will die. I also seem to be haveing a problem with the starter it grinds everyso often, it is a new started adn it is mounted firmly. And when i shut the truck off every once in a while it will take about 5-10 seconds to shut off, I can shut it off lock the doors and get out close the door adn start walking off before it shuts itself off. Does anyone know what these problems might be? (97 2500 auto.)

 

Sounds like your starter contacts are worn out.
Buy new ones and get instructions here http://www.fostertruck.com/dodge/default.htm

Take care of it right away and be prepared to unplug the shut down solenoid if it runs on for more than 30 seconds as it will burn up your $200 solenoid.

 

also you might need to pull your shut down solonoid off and clean it up some, and the boot on it is probably shot so grab one from foster while your ordering the starter contacts.

 

i would also look at battery terminals... my 12v was doin the same thing and eventually my starter blew along with the fuel shut off solenoid and the relay. after changing the starter five times one of my buddies told be to clean or change my battery terminals and no i have had my current starter for two years with no other problems.

 

Regarding the cold engine not wanting to idle I believe it's normal. I seem to recall the owner's manual stating that you may need to add a little pedal until it can idle on it's own. Mine will idle after 10 seconds or so. I want to find a fast idle solenoid from an old carb and rig it with a switch to push on the throttle linkage. Someone has pictures of the setup. It may have been on this forum.

 

Are there no sticks in your town?

 

After the great ice storm of '07 I have plenty of fast idle sticks

 

i wouldnt think that my starter contacts are worn out its the starter is not even a year old yet is that possible?

 

If it was a remanufactured starter, you never know... They're not all rebuilt the same.