Engine Controls - Trouble Shooting - No Codes - Diesel: Other Dodge Pickup R1500

ENGINE DOES NOT START

If engine cranks but does not start or engine does not start and DRBIII(R) displays no response, see NO-START DIAGNOSIS in BASIC DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES - RAM PICKUP - DIESEL article.

ENGINE DIFFICULT TO START OR WILL NOT START (EXHAUST SMOKES WHILE CRANKING)

1. Check for any Technical Service Bulletins (TSB) or ECM calibration updates that may apply.
2. Check for low fuel level.
3. Check for low battery voltage.
4. Check for plugged fuel filter.
5. Check for poor quality or improper grade of fuel.
6. Check fuel tank venting.
7. Check for low fuel pressure.
8. Check for air in fuel system.
9. Check for fuel lift pump malfunction.
10. Check for fuel inlet restriction.
11. Check fuel injection pump static timing.
12. Check for kinked or restricted fuel line.
13. Check for kinked or restricted fuel return passage or fuel return line.
14. Check for incorrect injectors.
15. Check for incorrect injector shim thickness.
16. Check for injector malfunction.
17. Check for fuel connector leaking fuel.
18. Check for engine speed sensor and/or circuit malfunction.
19. Check for moisture in harness connectors or corroded terminals.
20. Check for internal engine damage.
21. Check for air intake restriction.
22. Check for exhaust restriction.
23. Check for fuel inlet temperature high.
24. Check overhead adjustments.
25. Check for ignition switch output voltage low and/or open.
26. Check starting accessories for cold weather such as engine block heaters or fuel heaters (if equipped).
27. Check fuel pump overflow valve.
28. Check for low engine cranking speed.
29. Check for electrical noise.

ENGINE DIFFICULT TO START OR WILL NOT START (NO EXHAUST SMOKE WHILE CRANKING)

1. Check for any Technical Service Bulletins (TSB) or ECM calibration updates that may apply.
2. Check for low fuel level.
3. Check for poor quality or improper grade of fuel.
4. Check for plugged fuel filter.
5. Check fuel tank venting.
6. Check for low fuel pressure.
7. Check for air in fuel system.
8. Check for fuel lift pump malfunction.
9. Check for fuel inlet restriction.
10. Check for fuel injection pump supply voltage open or low voltage.
11. Check fuel injection pump static timing.
12. Check for kinked or restricted fuel inlet line.
13. Check for kinked or restricted fuel return passage or fuel return line.
14. Check for incorrect injectors.
15. Check for incorrect injector shim thickness.
16. Check for injector malfunction.
17. Check for fuel connector leaking fuel.
18. Check for engine speed sensor and/or circuit malfunction.
19. Check for moisture in harness connectors or corroded terminals.
20. Check for Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) issues.
21. Check for low battery voltage.
22. Check for ignition switch supply voltage low or open.
23. Check for electrical noise.
24. Check fuel injection pump.
25. Check ECM.
26. Check for internal engine damage.

ENGINE SURGES IN PTO OR CRUISE

1. Check for any Technical Service Bulletins (TSB) or ECM calibration updates that may apply.
2. Check for plugged fuel filter.
3. Check for restricted fuel inlet.
4. Check for kinked or restricted fuel inlet line.
5. Check for kinked or restricted fuel return line.
6. Check for malfunctioning or out of calibration accelerator pedal. See «SYSTEM & COMPONENT TESTING - RAM PICKUP - DIESEL»(ref-157962) article.
7. Check for vehicle speed sensor and/or circuit malfunction. See «SYSTEM & COMPONENT TESTING - RAM PICKUP - DIESEL»(ref-157962) article.
8. Check for transmission gear shift malfunction.
9. Check for dragging brakes.
10. Check for transmission malfunction.
11. Check for cooling fan cycle time malfunction.
12. Check for moisture in harness connectors and/or corroded terminals.
13. Check for malfunctioning ECM control or PTO speed governor. See «SYSTEM & COMPONENT TESTING - RAM PICKUP - DIESEL»(ref-157962) article.
14. Check for overloaded engine.

ENGINE SURGES AT LOW OR HIGH IDLE

1. Check for any Technical Service Bulletins (TSB) or ECM calibration updates that may apply.
2. Check for low fuel level.
3. Check for plugged fuel filter.
4. Check for poor quality or improper grade of fuel.
5. Check for fuel tank venting malfunction.
6. Check for low fuel pressure. See «FUEL SYSTEMS»(ref-157961-S01070326272003090400000) in BASIC DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES - RAM PICKUP - DIESEL article.
7. Check for air in fuel system. See «FUEL SYSTEMS»(ref-157961-S01070326272003090400000) in BASIC DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES - RAM PICKUP - DIESEL article.
8. Check for fuel lift pump malfunction. See «SYSTEM & COMPONENT TESTING - RAM PICKUP - DIESEL»(ref-157962) article.
9. Check for restricted fuel inlet.
10. Check fuel injection pump static timing. See «FUEL SYSTEMS»(ref-157961-S01070326272003090400000) in BASIC DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES - RAM PICKUP - DIESEL article.
11. Check for kinked or restricted fuel inlet line.
12. Check for kinked or restricted fuel return line.
13. Check for incorrect injectors.
14. Check for incorrect injector shim thickness.
15. Check for malfunctioning injectors.
16. Check for leaking fuel connection.
17. Check for faulty fuel injection pump. See «SYSTEM & COMPONENT TESTING - RAM PICKUP - DIESEL»(ref-157962) article.
18. Check for malfunctioning or out of calibration accelerator pedal. See «SYSTEM & COMPONENT TESTING - RAM PICKUP - DIESEL»(ref-157962) article.
19. Check for damaged vibration damper.
20. Check for engine speed sensor and/or circuit malfunction. See «SYSTEM & COMPONENT TESTING - RAM PICKUP - DIESEL»(ref-157962) article.
21. Check for vehicle speed sensor and/or circuit malfunction. See «SYSTEM & COMPONENT TESTING - RAM PICKUP - DIESEL»(ref-157962) article.
22. Check for incorrect transmission clutch operation.
23. Check for dragging brakes.
24. Check for transmission malfunction.
25. Check for cooling fan cycle time malfunction.
26. Check for turbocharger malfunction. See «SYSTEM & COMPONENT TESTING - RAM PICKUP - DIESEL»(ref-157962) article.
27. Check for Bus communication malfunction. See appropriate BODY CONTROL MODULES article in ACCESSORIES & EQUIPMENT.
28. Check for moisture in harness connectors or corroded terminals.
29. Check for internal engine damage. See «PRELIMINARY INSPECTION & ADJUSTMENTS»(ref-157961-S32265046682003090400000) in BASIC DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES - RAM PICKUP - DIESEL article.
30. Check for electrical interference (noise).
31. Check for engine idle speed set too low.
32. Check for excessive load at idle.
33. Check for incorrect or malfunctioning clutch.

ENGINE SURGES UNDER LOAD OR IN OPERATING RANGE

1. Check for any Technical Service Bulletins (TSB) or ECM calibration updates that may apply.
2. Check for low fuel level.
3. Check for plugged fuel filter.
4. Check for poor quality or improper grade of fuel.
5. Check for fuel tank venting malfunction.
6. Check for low fuel pressure. See «FUEL SYSTEMS»(ref-157961-S01070326272003090400000) in BASIC DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES - RAM PICKUP - DIESEL article.
7. Check for air in fuel system. See «FUEL SYSTEMS»(ref-157961-S01070326272003090400000) in BASIC DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES - RAM PICKUP - DIESEL article.
8. Check for fuel lift pump malfunction. See «SYSTEM & COMPONENT TESTING - RAM PICKUP - DIESEL»(ref-157962) article.
9. Check for fuel inlet restriction.
10. Check fuel injection pump static timing. See «FUEL SYSTEMS»(ref-157961-S01070326272003090400000) in BASIC DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES - RAM PICKUP - DIESEL article.
11. Check for kinked or restricted fuel inlet line.
12. Check for kinked or restricted fuel return line.
13. Check for incorrect injectors.
14. Check for incorrect injector shim thickness.
15. Check for malfunctioning injectors.
16. Check for leaking fuel connection.
17. Check for malfunctioning or out of calibration accelerator pedal. See «SYSTEM & COMPONENT TESTING - RAM PICKUP - DIESEL»(ref-157962) article.
18. Check for engine speed sensor and/or circuit malfunction. See «SYSTEM & COMPONENT TESTING - RAM PICKUP - DIESEL»(ref-157962) article.
19. Check for vehicle speed sensor and/or circuit malfunction. See «SYSTEM & COMPONENT TESTING - RAM PICKUP - DIESEL»(ref-157962) article.
20. Check for incorrect transmission clutch operation.
21. Check for dragging brakes.
22. Check for transmission malfunction.
23. Check for cooling fan cycle time malfunction.
24. Check for turbocharger malfunction. See «SYSTEM & COMPONENT TESTING - RAM PICKUP - DIESEL»(ref-157962) article.
25. Check for Bus communication malfunction. See appropriate BODY CONTROL MODULES article in ACCESSORIES & EQUIPMENT.
26. Check for moisture in harness connectors or corroded terminals.
27. Check for internal engine damage. See «PRELIMINARY INSPECTION & ADJUSTMENTS»(ref-157961-S32265046682003090400000) in BASIC DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES - RAM PICKUP - DIESEL article.

EXCESSIVE BLACK EXHAUST SMOKE

1. Check for dirty or plugged air filter.
2. Check for restricted/leaking air intake system.
3. Check for DTCs set or intermittent DTC malfunctions.
4. Check for ECM or PCM not calibrated properly.
5. Check for exhaust system restriction greater than specification.
6. Check for poor fuel quality.
7. Check for fuel injection pump malfunction.
8. Check for fuel injector malfunction or leak.
9. Check for fuel return system restriction.
10. Check for intake manifold restriction.
11. Check for manifold air pressure (boost) sensor circuit malfunction.
12. Check for raw fuel inside intake manifold.
13. Check fuel injection pump static timing.
14. Check for turbocharger air intake restriction.
15. Check turbocharger for excessive carbon build-up on compressor wheel and/or diffuser vanes, wheel clearance out of specification or damage.

EXCESSIVE BLUE EXHAUST SMOKE

1. Check for dirty or plugged air filter.
2. Check for air intake system restriction.
3. Check for air leak in intake between turbocharger and intake manifold.
4. Check for restricted exhaust.
5. Check for restricted turbocharger drain tube.
6. Check for plugged crankcase ventilation.
7. Check for worn or defective valve stems, guides or seals.
8. Check for improperly gapped, worn or broken piston rings.
9. Check for excessive cylinder bore wear.
10. Check for cylinder damage.
11. Check for piston damage.
12. Check for turbocharger failure.

EXCESSIVE WHITE EXHAUST SMOKE

1. Check for air in fuel system.
2. Check for coolant leak into combustion chamber.
3. Check for DTCs set or intermittent DTC malfunctions.
4. Check for block heater malfunction in cold weather.
5. Check for engine coolant temperature sensor malfunction.
6. Check for ECM not calibrated properly.
7. Check for clogged or defective fuel filter.
8. Check for poor fuel quality.
9. Check for fuel heater or fuel heater temperature sensor malfunction.
10. Check for malfunctioning or loose fuel injector.
11. Check for fuel injection pump malfunction.
12. fuel injector restricted or blocked fuel injection or supply lines.
13. Check for fuel transfer pump malfunction.
14. Check for Intake/exhaust valves not adjusted properly (tight).
15. Check for intake manifold heaters or intake manifold air temperature sensor malfunction.
16. Check for internal engine damage. See «PRELIMINARY INSPECTION & ADJUSTMENTS»(ref-157961-S32265046682003090400000) in BASIC DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES - RAM PICKUP - DIESEL article.
17. Check for incorrect fuel injection pump static timing.

Intermittent Simulation

To reproduce conditions creating an intermittent fault, use following methods

1. Lightly vibrate component.
2. Heat component.
3. Wiggle or bend wiring harness.
4. Spray component with water.
5. Remove/apply vacuum source.

Monitor circuit/component voltage or resistance while simulating intermittent. If engine is running, monitor for diagnostic trouble codes. Use test results to identify a faulty component or circuit.