I'm getting ready to sell my '97 2500 4x4 CC Auto 252K mi and I would like to fix a few annoying problems first.

When I first start it in the morning the idle is very low, I have to keep the throttle pressed for a while until the engine maintains its idle. It idles at approx. 750-800 rpm in drive. Occasionally it will die when stopped at a light unless I put in neutral. If the AC in going forget it, the idle drops and it will stall backing up and at stop lights I almost always have to put it in neutral. It does this warm or cold. Also if I drive two footed and keep the idle up about 200 rpm it is fine.

I have looked in a manual and it shows a low speed idle adjustment (high speed not adjsustable) which I can't find if my life depended on it.

Am I on the right track by looking at the low speed idle adjustment or is there some other culprit that I need to look at.

Thanks for the help.

 

I believe your idle is way low and your tach in the dash is off , that B mechanical has a idle screw behind the throttle lever you can adjust , you also need a photo tach that will read your rpm correctly and set the idle to that . or take it to a shop that has one . we set them at 750 with automatic.

 

Go to www.dodgeram.org Click on the cummins engine pic. Listen to the idle. If you have a good ear you can match your idle to that.

 

We shoot for 800 rpm in gear with the A/C engaged using the scanner for the rpm. All it takes is a short 10mm wrench to adjust. I wish I could even begin to describe how to reach it. Find the linkage toward the rear (middle) of the engine. You'll have to explore, but with a good eye and a light you'll find it. There is a jamb nut you loosen and then you can move the adjuster. It's just a little bolt that threads through a mount. The linkage actually rests on the head (top) of the bolt. You loosen the nut at the bottom and then you can move the adjuster (bolt). God I hope that made some sense!

 

I had a 97 that had a low idle. Did you get the recall done on the throttle cable linkage? I just took mine in and got the idle adjusted at the dealer, I think they adjusted it wrong when they put the new linkage one.
dave

 

Click this-
http://dodgeram.org/tech/dsl/adjustm...d_Gen-Idle.htm

 

my 97 did the same thing, cheak your fuel filter.
chris

 

Fuel return check valve may be loosing tension which will cause a lower idle too.