Questions and Answers

Ram Rough Starting Q. I own 1995 Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 Automatic with the 5.2 liter engine. My problem is if it has been sitting over night or for a long period of time (8+ hours), it idles very rough when I start it and sounds like its being choked. It also runs very sluggish and hesitates for the first 30 seconds to a minute of driving it after this rough start.

The rest of the day, its fine. But also, when I'm at about 45+MPH, and its running at very low RPMS, and therefore not giving it much throttle, I notice a slight "stutter". I have had my spark plugs, PCV valve, spark plug wires, distributor cap and rotor, O2 sensor, idle air control valve, and catalytic converter replaced. I have also had a fuel system cleaning done at the shop.

This has all helped out a little, but it still does it. A recent engine diagnostic I had done says that my ignition coil is working fine and my fuel pressure is at 40 PSI. I would replace my fuel filter, but it is part of my fuel pump assembly in the tank. I am completely clueless as of what to do now. Please help me if you can.

Thanks,
Adam

A. The first things I would check is to see if it is holding fuel pressure over night. It's possible the injectors are leaking down into the cylinders. I would also have to look at the Coolant Temperature Sensor. It could be bad and sending wrong information to the computer. Best way to check it is with a scan tool and make sure it is reading within one or two degrees of ambient air temperature.