I got a 97 2500 I recently replaced shut down solinoid and lift pump. when it is cold and i plug in block heater and then start it in the morning it will run for about 45-60 seconds and then starts sputtering and dies. It will start back up and be fine. the strange thing is it will only do this if i plug the truck in even if its really cold it will start and be ok if not plugged in?????????????

 

sounds like air getting in around the fuel heater bowl

 

not trying to be rude but what do the fuel heater bowl have to do with block heater i thought they were completly independent of each other, they are not wired together in any way

 

You need to check more things [ fuel pressure ] , controlled by overflow valve .
What temps are you talking about , if its cold enough , below 0*F & colder , even with the engine plugged in the air temp sensor is going to tell the grid heaters to cycle .
I put one of the old , quilted moving blankets over the engine & batteries , and at -20*F , the grid heaters still turn on .
What is you idle , a low idle in cold temps will make the engine shut down , should be about 850 RPMs .
What is really cold , no info , where are you , some people think that 40-50*F is cold , so they may say that 20-30 is real cold .

 

I have a 95 and it is doing the EXACT same thing. If i get it figured out I will let you know.

 

Unusual problem.
If my trucks are plugged in for at least six hours it doesn't matter how cold, even -35F, the grids don't come on until after I start it and the cold air hits the intake temp sensor.
Could be when you plug in the grids aren't coming on after you start it.
Problem might be the intake air temp sensor.
Instructions for testing here> http://dodgeram.org/tech/dsl/trouble...niford_htr.htm

 

Found my problem. The o-ring on the bottom of the fuel filter was blown out and was leaking fuel. Easy fix for me!