I am trying to help out a friend. He has a 1997 diesel, auto, 4x4. I was told that it will die when he puts it into drive unless he tries to idel it up and take off reall fast, it also seems to idle a little lower than it did before this problem started. what i mean is he can not take off like normal, you know put it into drive and then take off, he has to put it in drive and as it goes into drive then push on the accell. or it will die. Does any one have any advise on this problem, the truck had 130,000 miles on it. he needs this truck for his income, and i am just trying to help out. the truck will idle but verry low, like i said it stalls when put into gear. any help will be great.

Thank you

usmc5953

 

If this gradually started happening I would check the fuel filter. It could be possible he got some bad fuel or he just needs to change the filter. Is there any smoke and if so what color is it (white, black, or blue)? This would help analyze the problem. Does it start easy and just idles low or is it also hard to start?

 

Sounds like the idle is set too low. I think it should be around 850-900rpm but im not sure if thats for in drive or park.

 

I usually set the idle at 750-800 in gear with the A/C on. Hopefully Infidel will come along and post his link with the instructions for you. Easy to do....hard to explain.

 

Here it is!
http://dodgeram.org/tech/dsl/adjustm...d_Gen-Idle.htm

 

I will ask him about the smoke, does the idel usulay go out of adjustment on its own?

Thank you so much

usmc5953

 

Yes. The idle adjustment is metal to metal contact and wears over time with all the shaking these engines do.