Truck dies at idle with AC on

[johnrv4]

One of my fellow co-workers has a '97 Ram with an auto trans and has the following problem: If he runs the A/C and comes to a stop (in gear), and turns the steering wheel, the truck dies. He said that the idle rpm seems fine before he turns the wheel. It will not do it wilth the A/C off. He has changed the fuel filter and says the truck runs fine down the highway. Any ideas what to check next? Thanks in advance.

 

[Extreme1]

I would guess his idle speed is a little low. Check it in gear with the AC on, it should be around 800. A little lower makes a big difference.

 

[pcorssmit]

Yup. They seem to loose idle speed over time.



Pete

 

[johnrv4]

Thanks for the replies. I haven't had a chance to look at it yet, but that will be the first thing to check... Thanks again.

 

[Missouri Mule]

Low idls sounds reasonable. But why does it stall only when the steering wheel is turned ?

Wouldn't the truck stall all the time with a/c on when comes to stop if wheel was moved or not? (idle to low)



Seems to be loose or broken wire or bad connection in steering wheel. But also something to do with the a/c electrical system.



The power steering pump operates the steering unit and the break booster in the 97 on up. But that should not make it stall.

 

[gitchesum]

You guys don't suppose this might have something to do with that little recall notice we got a few months ago.

I rememer it involved the blower motor and some wiring in the ignition system. Have him call his dealer and have a recall check done. They can tell him if he needs to have it done.



Here's how the recall notice reads:

The ignition switch and/or steering column wiring on about 710,000 of the above vehicles may overheat when the blower motor is operated at high speed for an extended period of time. This can cause stalling, loss of blower motor or power window operation, ABS or airbag lamp illumination or a steering column/instrument panel fire.

 

[Gene-C]

I had the same problem and set the idle up just a little. Solved the problem. Truck idles smooth now with air on. Need a 10mm wrench and just a few min of time.

 

[DieselB59]

I can't tell you how many trucks I have had to adjust the idle on this summer. It happens to all of them as time goes on. That's why it is adjustable. Check issue 33, page 44 for my directions on how to adjust the idle. It was in an old post that I believe is no longer available.

 

[Missouri Mule]

gitchesum,



I think your in the ball park, I forgot about the recall. I never used my fan on the highest level.



The fan switch ties the a/c in with the steering wheel wiring.



I think I mite go look at some wiring diagrams to see if the hold coil wire for the fuel shut off solenoid share any connections or wires with the blower motor and/or fan switch.

The main power/ground wire/connector to ignition switch is shared but if one of those is messed up everything in the truck would not work.



johnrv4,

By chance has your friend tried to restart truck after it stalled with the wheel still turned?

Not saying it is not low idle just that if it was low idle the engine would stall everytime he stopped and had a/c on wheel turned or not.

 

[johnrv4]

Thanks for the input. I'll dig a little deeper Monday when I see him at work. First thing I'll check is the idle speed- after that is set correctly, if the problem persists, I'll go from there. Thanks again for the suggestions.