Today I will tell you why Dodge Ram 1500 starts then dies and how to fix it. However, neglecting car engine maintenance can cause the car to die suddenly, and you can’t start it. You cannot continue driving, and this problem interferes with your activities. If your car breaks down while in the middle of the road, the first step you must take is to immediately move the vehicle to the side so that it does not interfere with traffic, and you can repair or check the performance of your car.
Causes of Dodge Ram 1500 Starts Then Dies
1. Problem With Your Car Alternator
One of the causes of starter failure is an issue with the alternator. Unfortunately, many people still don’t understand this potential damage because it is related to car batteries.
The alternator will supply electrical power generated by the battery. If the alternator has a problem, it will not work even if you replace the battery with a new one.
It means that if the power supply or supply does not work, it is certain that the battery will not work properly, which causes the starter not to be optimal. You may need the help of a technician to check and service the cause of the car that suddenly turns off, and you can’t start.
The reason is that you will need a special tool to find out the details of the problem from the alternator. So you can take your truck to the nearest service center to do regular checks to avoid this problem. The alternator can convert the kinetic energy produced by your car engine into electrical energy.
If the alternator has a problem, the battery cannot be charged. The battery serves to supply the car’s electric power needs when the vehicle or engine is running. The car engine died because there was no electricity supply.
A faulty alternator will also cut off the power supply to essential truck parts. You will see the lights go out on the dashboard or the engine suddenly loses power, and this kind of problem can also occur when your car is idle.
The starter dynamo is also the cause of the engine dying and cannot be started, and this is related to the worn condition of the starter dynamo. If so, the best solution is to replace that component with a new one. Damage to this part is very rare, even for older vehicles.
However, the Dodge Ram 1500 with high usage intensity may experience damage to the dynamo. The Dodge Ram 1500 that suddenly dies and can’t be started is a sign that your vehicle deserves maintenance or checking. That’s why taking your truck to the repair shop is one solution to prevent the worse.
When the vehicle breaks down in the middle of the highway, it can be one of the causes of accidents and traffic jams. Many people think the gas is running out, but it turns out that the problem can be more complex. For example, there is damage to the alternator, battery, or dynamo.
Routine maintenance is one way that you can make a solution to avoid this situation. The cause of the car engine die can also occur due to a problem with the ignition switch. With regular use for a long time, the ignition switch can be damaged.
One of the indicators, when your ignition switch is damaged is that the car engine turns off suddenly when it starts because the power to the ignition and fuel systems is disrupted. But in some cases, depending on the severity of the problem, you may still be able to start the vehicle a little later.
2. Car battery problem
In general, people will associate battery problems with a dead car engine that won’t start. Most car owners will do a battery check as the main solution. But, is it true that the battery is the cause of the problem? Well, like living things, the battery is the heart of the car.
So, if there is damage to the battery, all components will not work as they should. You can check the condition of the battery by looking at the indicators listed. Generally, a good battery will be green and will show signs of wear when it is red.
In addition, also pay attention to the battery terminals. Loose installation can also cause the car engine to die. If the first problem occurs, the best solution is to replace your battery with a new one. However, your truck has a problem with the battery terminals, and you can tighten the cable.
You can check the condition of your battery terminal through the information display on the car dashboard. When the Dodge Ram 1500 starts then dies, it could be a weak power starter, usually because of battery fault. Try checking the liquid level or checking your battery cables. Loose or dirty battery cables can cause the engine to fail to start.
3. Ignition and Air Intake System Problems
The ignition system is an example of the determinants of engine performance. If it dies, there is a possibility that the coil in the system is not working properly or is weak. Also, check the 10-ampere fuse on the engine, is it blown or not? It will affect the performance of the coil.
The air intake system also plays a crucial role in the combustion process in the engine.
If components such as the air filter, air cleaner to the air cleaner box are damaged, the air intake to the engine will not be perfect. The ignition system of the car supplies power to the engine to run it.
If the system goes bad, your machine will stop suddenly.
The first thing you should do is try turning the ignition on your car again. If that still doesn’t start the engine, you have ignition system failure that causes Dodge Ram 1500 to starts then dies. You should consult a mechanic for such problems. However, it may be a small component, such as a faulty ignition relay. Relays are quite small but have the important job of controlling the amount of electricity that passes through them.
4. Out of Gas
Often engines die because they run out of gas. Although the gasoline indicator in the cabin shows a safe limit, there is no harm in making sure directly by opening the gas tank and checking it.
It’s also possible that your fuel indicator is faulty and needs to be repaired.
A faulty pump or injector can also cause gasoline to not flow properly into the engine. Damaged fuel hoses can also cause a similar problem. Cases like this often happen, so don’t forget to check the gas capacity of your car.
If you drive without paying attention to your fuel gauge, there is a chance that your fuel will run out, and you will end up stranded on the side of the road. Therefore, make it a habit to check your fuel gauge at least once during your daily driving.
5. Engine Overheating
Another cause of dead car engines is overheating because drivers rarely control the radiator water level. If the radiator is just low on fluid, you can fill it up, then continue driving. However, if the engine overheating is severe, you should seek mechanical assistance.
When fuel burns, chemical energy is converted into heat energy. The engine converts it into mechanical energy that drives the parts of the car. But when the heat in this engine bay goes beyond normal limits, it starts to melt the pistons, and that’s not a good sign at all. Overheat generally occurs due to negligence in checking the condition of the radiator water.
6. ECU problem
Modern cars have an ECU, a small computer that directs the various systems and functions of the vehicle.
If there is a problem with the car’s ECU, your Dodge Ram 1500 can lose power.
Usually, you will see a check engine light on the dashboard when there is a problem with the ECU. So, you can take your Dodge Ram 1500 to the nearest mechanic and get a proper diagnosis.
If you continue to ignore the check engine light, your car could have more serious problems. Your ECU will fail, and the car will die while you are driving. Further, the ECU is not a component that you can repair yourself. You need to hire the services of a professional mechanic to get out of ECU problems.
7. Clogged Catalytic Converter
The catalytic converter is a crucial section of the exhaust system, which performs a significant function in maintaining your exhaust clear. If it finds more dirt in the fuel than the converter can handle, it will choke and stop working, causing your car to break down.
8. Loose Engine Bolts
Although it doesn’t happen often, sometimes the bolts can get loose. Improper engine maintenance can cause many problems.
If the engine bolts are loose, the engine will start vibrating and eventually begin to malfunction. Engine wear while driving can cause loose screws to come off eventually.
The engine will surely crash and stop in that case.
How to Overcome Dodge Ram 1500 Starts Then Dies
If you’ve ever had the Dodge Ram 1500 turn off while you’re driving on the highway but then turn back on within a few minutes, I’ll tell you how to fix it. You must realize that many things can cause it, such as a bad fuel pump, fuel injector, and ignition system.
So you need to get the information first. It would help if you took your scan tool and installed it. But don’t panic about the scan tool. You can buy used ones for $30, and even some cheap new ones that cost as little as $50.
After that, you’ll have to figure out where to plug them in. Then, you insert the ignition key and turn it on, positioned so the lights come on, but the car doesn’t start.
Then you read the code and hit enter, and the scanner will tell you if there is a code. For example, you get the camera position sensor code PO340. It could be a bad camshaft position sensor, bad wiring, or a bad main computer.
So you have to check everything, and you hope it’s not the main computer because it’s expensive. If the camshaft position sensor is problematic on the Dodge Ram 1500, it is at the back of the engine. But replacing sensors can be tricky.
If you’re not sure, all you need to do is get a new one and ask a car technician to do it. It is also a practical sense to spray the connectors with a small amount of electrical cleaner.
Remember, a little dirt will make it work incorrectly. Before you plug it back in, lightly grease the electrical contacts on the connector as well, slightly press it into the electrical connector, then screw it back in until it clicks.
Lastly, you’ll want to turn off your check engine lamp by resetting it before starting the car.
Just choose clear code, hit enter, and now that code is cleared, you can start your Dodge Ram 1500, and the check engine light is off.