2001 cummins ram , only when its cold out sometimes when i start the truck and then take off the truck wont go over 20 mph and does'nt seem to want to go at all after maybe a minute or 2 of this it will all of the sudden it will just take off and run just fine ,,, if i plug the truck in in advance it will work just fine , so whats the deal

 

Welcome to DTR!

By "won't go" do you mean the engine won't increase above a certain RPM, or the transmission isn't functioning properly?

- the truck won't perform when the engine is cold, but appears to be fine when it's warmed up - what is the typical ambient temperature at your location? You may have gelling fuel in the filter, do you use any additives?

Pls fill in your signature with the specifics of your truck, including any mods / gauges -

 

and where are you?

Is it "Arizona cold"......40 to 50
or "Canadian cold"......-40 to -50

 

i live in iowa , and its around 20 degrees or less when it does it , but i would have to say the tranny is action up when its cold cause its never had a problem when warmer out , what i mean by wont go is that i am limited to about 20 mph and the engine wont open up , it seems to work fine once the tranny gets to around 60 degrees , all in all the truck doesnt have any power our get up at all until its a little warmed up

 

I have the same problem at times,its gellin'. It was -20 w/ the wind chill today and my 7.3 excursion cranked about 15 seconds before it started and then chugged 1000' feet down my driveway. Once it heats up it runs fine. Last year I gelled while driving and twice the year before. I do use power service additives. My 6.5 chevy never had a problem. I hope the next Cumming don't give my the same problem.

 

I ain't trying to bust your chops, but you might want to watch that G in the cummins... Ford makes that one...

Are you guys pluging the truck in at night?

 

2001.....in the cold I utilize my "high idle" which is a wood dowel to put between the seat and the go pedal. Set the brake, put the trans in Neutral and bump the rpms up to around 1200 and let it warm up some.

 

You be 'gellin' like Magellan' I'm a-thinkin'; put some conditioner in there and be !

 

Mine does the same thing but I was leaning towards the trans fluid being cold and not shifting until it warmed up some. I'm fine in first and second gear but it really doesn't like to shift into 3rd until higher RPM's and then it's immediately into 4th locked. Once it's hit 4th once it's fine the rest of the time until it's cold again.

Ideas on this. I can not plug in while it's parked at work.

 

im having the exact same problem as you described, if you find the reason please let me know what is causing that.

 

Are you getting any codes? Possibly the intake air sensor................