I just bought a 1997 Dodge Ram 3500 131-k miles, 12 valve, auto with 4" exhaust, jake brake, gauges and some type of remote fuel lube system or something.
Any how, this thing runs strong, little black/gray smoke under hard accel. but the truck idles at 1000 rpm's in park and I can't figure out how adjust it. I'm not sure what has been done to the truck as far as fuel plate or anything like that. It was traded in on a new truck and I bought it at the auction from the new car store.
Thanks for any help. Just don't want to replace a u-joint or transmission.

 

That is a simple fix takes a few minutes if you know what you are looking for. There is a bolt on the throttle linkage that can be adjusted to raise/lower idle. I believe you are supposed to set it with according to what the truck is idling at in drive with the A/C on but might be wrong I do not have my manual with me. Anyways if you reach in the engine back by the fuel filter you will find a throtle linkage and if you move it forward you will be able to find/ feel that bolt. A few turns of the wrench and you will be able to adjust and see if it is to your likeing. If not readjust and so on until it is where you want it.
I will try and get a picture to you if I get my truck back tonight or tomorrow. Also my repair manual is in the truck so I could give you the ideal rpm's to set at if you don't have them. I tend to have to adjust mine once or twice a year.

I believe the wrench will be either a #10 or a 1/2 I can't remember.

 

Heck I just noticed you are in Decatur. I'd be happy to walk you right through it when I get back home in a day or two, kinda stuck in the Dallas area getting a new head gasket thrown on.

 

Idle adjustment instructions> http://dodgeram.org/tech/dsl/adjustm...d_Gen-Idle.htm

Don't trust the dash tach, it very well could be wrong and your idle is just fine.

 

Thanks guys,

caburnside, I am going to try and contact the previous owner this weekend, I found out they live in the Bedford area. I would like to find out just what they have done to this truck and find out how the exhaust brake is set up or where the switch it. (it is a BD exhaust brake) The way it runs, they must have put a plate on it. I crawled under it with a light and everything looks to be dry, they have installed some type of fancy trans. pan and I did find some type of cooler line that is crimped I think maybe the tranny.


infidel, I'm not going by just the dash tact, I'm going off of when I put it in gear it wants to take off! I have had a few of the 12 valves and they all seemed really smooth going into gear and most of them would run around 800 rpm's or so at idle in park and this one runs at 1000 to 1100 rpm's in park. Does not make too much diff. with the air on or off. This one run 900+ rpms in gear!

 

Something else I just notice when we was on the way to eat tonight. While driving the wait to start light comes on sometimes.

And also notice my water temp gauges will "float" back and forth between a 1/4 and 1/2 mark (190 degrees) is this normal?

 

The WTS light shouldn't come on while driving. The temp gauge is normal.

 

So what do I need to check for the "WTS" light??

 

Ask about the trans as well, sounds like they might have added a deeper pan for better cooling. Find out if there are any other trans mods if you can, was the crimped line right in front of the trans? I've had those things wear out on me before, even had the clamps from the trans line blow on me once on the highway talk about close call to a blown trans.

 

The crimped line in on the passenger side under. You can see it if you if you squat down beside the truck, it runs beside the engine. I tried to call the owner today with no luck, going to try again on Monday.

Any ideas on why the WTS light comes on while driving sometimes?

 

I found the adjustment for the idle, but it has already been turned all the way in and bottomed out! I did find a little adjustment on the actual linkage/rod but only lowered the rpm's to just under 1000!
NOW WHAT?

 

You should be able to adjust it more, If I crank mine all the way down it will kill the engine it runs so low.

Does the WTS work? I would figure that is simply a crossed wire, are you throwing any codes?

 

You're not supposed to use the linkage for adjusting idle.
It should be adjusted as in figure 11 here> http://dodgeram.info/tsb/recalls/970/repair.htm

If it's not right that could be your whole problem.

 

if all of those other things fail. incorrectly setup governor springs will give you high or low idle. f the governor spring kit was put in and the retaining nuts are too tight or too loose will affect you idle speed outside of your external adjustments.