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What does your needle show when idling?

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Old 08-21-2007, 02:00 AM
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What does your needle show when idling?

In Park, with A/C OFF, is this where your needle is (see pic)? I adjusted my idle today and it seems within spec when in D w/ the A/C on, but with the A/C off and in Park it seems a bit high. I feel like it slipped a little since I adjusted it this afternoon though. Maybe that's it.

Old 08-21-2007, 06:13 AM
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Mine idles alot lower almost the same amount of space you have from your needle to 1k but from the next line down. But then again I have all man trans
Old 08-21-2007, 07:32 AM
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I talked with a few about RPM settings , a lot seem to go below the spec - 850 with AC on .
Mine is a little low also , the way I got it , 750 AC off , it would seem that there may be 2 issues , starting in MN winters & forget to plug in about 20*F , it would die after the 1st start sometimes , then long idle , not burning well .
Maybe try 850 RPM ac off , it seems that any issues are more choice than anything .
Old 08-21-2007, 09:28 AM
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Both mine idle about a needle width slower than yours.
For what it's worth the factory service manual says not to trust the dash gauge for setting the idle. I find setting it by ear to be more reliable.
Old 08-21-2007, 09:40 AM
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My idle is about halfway from where urs is to the next one down. I have a manual to if that matters. But hey, ur fuel gauge works! Mine does it's own thing
Old 08-21-2007, 09:49 AM
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Originally Posted by Box5
My idle is about halfway from where urs is to the next one down. I have a manual to if that matters. But hey, ur fuel gauge works! Mine does it's own thing
Noooo.... My fuel gauge is also messed up. It only takes about 14 gallons for it to go from Full to Empty.

Thanks for the input guys. I'll re-adjust it again today.
Old 08-21-2007, 12:07 PM
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I re-adjusted my idle using a photo-tach and found that the dash tach isn't that accurate at all. I upped the idle about 100 RPM with little change on the dash. I have a manual, but have the idle set to ~850 Rpm with the AC on in neutral warm. Starts better, provides better AC at idle and just plain runs better. I found this adjustment also helped with low speed shifting as the engine speed recovers faster and I get let "clanky" shifts.. FWIW....

Oh, and my needle is in the same spot pretty much..
Old 08-21-2007, 04:16 PM
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I would keep it like you have it. It will start faster ( less turning over) and will heatup and the A/C will work better at idle like Lil Dog said. A lot of guys around here like it make it idle about as low as they can and it still run 400rpm if it will and they think it sounds cool but it will hardly start and will almost kill it with the A/C on. If its not trying to push you threw a stop light in gear then I say go with it.
Old 08-21-2007, 04:19 PM
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Originally Posted by Lil Dog
I re-adjusted my idle using a photo-tach and found that the dash tach isn't that accurate at all. I upped the idle about 100 RPM with little change on the dash. I have a manual, but have the idle set to ~850 Rpm with the AC on in neutral warm. Starts better, provides better AC at idle and just plain runs better. I found this adjustment also helped with low speed shifting as the engine speed recovers faster and I get let "clanky" shifts.. FWIW....

Oh, and my needle is in the same spot pretty much..
Hows that work for you in the winter? I find that its not too good at icy stop signs and lights. Where mine is set, I usually have to pull it into 4X4 to get going. Parking lots are murder too.
Old 08-21-2007, 04:53 PM
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Originally Posted by wcbcruzer
Noooo.... My fuel gauge is also messed up. It only takes about 14 gallons for it to go from Full to Empty.


You didn't buy your truck from a Police action did you.
Old 08-21-2007, 05:23 PM
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Originally Posted by winkle
You didn't buy your truck from a Police action did you.
No I didn't... But what do you mean?
Old 08-21-2007, 06:00 PM
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Here's what mine idles at... '95 w/auto. & A/C off.
Seems to push a hair when crawling along in heavy traffic...
Attached Thumbnails What does your needle show when idling?-idlectd1.jpg  
Old 08-21-2007, 06:52 PM
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how do u change the idle? mines to high.. i have to push the brakes to hard to keep it stopped
Old 08-21-2007, 06:55 PM
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Originally Posted by Goalie990
how do u change the idle? mines to high.. i have to push the brakes to hard to keep it stopped
http://www.dodgeram.org/tech/dsl/adj...d_Gen-Idle.htm

It might be kinda hard to find the first time. The picture is too simple.
Old 08-22-2007, 11:08 AM
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Originally Posted by wcbcruzer
No I didn't... But what do you mean?
I have heard of people that have bought vehicles from police auctions to find out later that drugs were hidden in the gas tank from when the vehicle was confiscated.


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