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Idle issue at high altitude

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AZ Stephen

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Hello, I have a 2021 Ram 3500 Cummings and had an idle issue at high altitude. After driving for 2hrs, we arrived our destination at 9300'. I turned the vehicle off to check in. I started the vehicle and the RPM's decreased to 200-300 and then went up to normal. Then the RPM's went back down and back up. I turned off the vehicle to not damage anything. There was no dash light or code thrown. I check to see if there was a blockage in the air filter and there was not. I started the truck again and it did the same thing. I then hit the throttle to about 1000 RPM's and there were no issues. I let off the throttle and it did the same thing. So, I throttled up, put it in D and relocated to our spot while operating the throttle / brake at the same time. I got the truck situated and turned it off. We then checked the fuel filter (which was just changed approx 1000mi ago) and it was not collapsed. I disconnected the battery for 30mins or so thinking something might reset. That was not it. Again, it would run fine at higher RPM but not at idle. I had the truck towed down to the dealer (approx 3000' ASL), left the camper with the camp host, and we rode home with our friends. The dealer then got in it and it ran fine. They did some testing on it and could not get it to duplicate or find any code thrown. So, I picked it up and ran back up the hill to get the camper. As I approached the elevation where the camper was, I put the truck in P. I hiccupped a couple of times. I stepped on the throttle to raise the RPM's and it ran fine. I then let off the throttle and it hiccupped again but it then caught up to itself and idled there. I loaded the camper in 10mins and got out of there. Has anyone had this issue or know what might be causing it? The dealer has no idea. I fear that we go to high altitude again and it will just do it again. TIA
 
AZ Stephen said:
Hello, I have a 2021 Ram 3500 Cummings and had an idle issue at high altitude. After driving for 2hrs, we arrived our destination at 9300'. I turned the vehicle off to check in. I started the vehicle and the RPM's decreased to 200-300 and then went up to normal. Then the RPM's went back down and back up. I turned off the vehicle to not damage anything. There was no dash light or code thrown. I check to see if there was a blockage in the air filter and there was not. I started the truck again and it did the same thing. I then hit the throttle to about 1000 RPM's and there were no issues. I let off the throttle and it did the same thing. So, I throttled up, put it in D and relocated to our spot while operating the throttle / brake at the same time. I got the truck situated and turned it off. We then checked the fuel filter (which was just changed approx 1000mi ago) and it was not collapsed. I disconnected the battery for 30mins or so thinking something might reset. That was not it. Again, it would run fine at higher RPM but not at idle. I had the truck towed down to the dealer (approx 3000' ASL), left the camper with the camp host, and we rode home with our friends. The dealer then got in it and it ran fine. They did some testing on it and could not get it to duplicate or find any code thrown. So, I picked it up and ran back up the hill to get the camper. As I approached the elevation where the camper was, I put the truck in P. I hiccupped a couple of times. I stepped on the throttle to raise the RPM's and it ran fine. I then let off the throttle and it hiccupped again but it then caught up to itself and idled there. I loaded the camper in 10mins and got out of there. Has anyone had this issue or know what might be causing it? The dealer has no idea. I fear that we go to high altitude again and it will just do it again. TIA
Click to expand...
First, not to be a 'net nanny, but there is no G in the engine manufacturers name.

I had my 18 2500 Cummins up to that same altitude (Pitkin, CO) several times for camping. No issues at all with it. I wonder if whatever sensor that is used to detect atmospheric pressure is bad on your truck.
 
I’ve only had my ‘22 at 9K feet a couple times but no idle issues.

Maybe a Cummings runs different? ;)

You could have a bad pressure sensor that isn’t bad enough to throw a code, but bad enough to cause an issue.
 
Last edited:
jebruns said:
First, not to be a 'net nanny, but there is no G in the engine manufacturers name.

I had my 18 2500 Cummins up to that same altitude (Pitkin, CO) several times for camping. No issues at all with it. I wonder if whatever sensor that is used to detect atmospheric pressure is bad on your truck.
Click to expand...
I suppose you have never had spell check turn something around?
 
AH64ID said:
I’ve only had my ‘22 at 9K feet a couple times but no idle issues.

Maybe a Cummings runs different? ;)

You could have a bad pressure sensor that isn’t bad enough to throw a code, but bad enough to cause an issue.
Click to expand...
I suppose you have never had spell check turn something around?
 
AZ Stephen said:
Hello, I have a 2021 Ram 3500 Cummings and had an idle issue at high altitude. After driving for 2hrs, we arrived our destination at 9300'. I turned the vehicle off to check in. I started the vehicle and the RPM's decreased to 200-300 and then went up to normal. Then the RPM's went back down and back up. I turned off the vehicle to not damage anything. There was no dash light or code thrown. I check to see if there was a blockage in the air filter and there was not. I started the truck again and it did the same thing. I then hit the throttle to about 1000 RPM's and there were no issues. I let off the throttle and it did the same thing. So, I throttled up, put it in D and relocated to our spot while operating the throttle / brake at the same time. I got the truck situated and turned it off. We then checked the fuel filter (which was just changed approx 1000mi ago) and it was not collapsed. I disconnected the battery for 30mins or so thinking something might reset. That was not it. Again, it would run fine at higher RPM but not at idle. I had the truck towed down to the dealer (approx 3000' ASL), left the camper with the camp host, and we rode home with our friends. The dealer then got in it and it ran fine. They did some testing on it and could not get it to duplicate or find any code thrown. So, I picked it up and ran back up the hill to get the camper. As I approached the elevation where the camper was, I put the truck in P. I hiccupped a couple of times. I stepped on the throttle to raise the RPM's and it ran fine. I then let off the throttle and it hiccupped again but it then caught up to itself and idled there. I loaded the camper in 10mins and got out of there. Has anyone had this issue or know what might be causing it? The dealer has no idea. I fear that we go to high altitude again and it will just do it again. TIA
Click to expand...
My apologies to all. I was called out for the spell checking me on Cummins.
 
It's just a little bit of good nature ribbing, for a common mistake/mispronunciation, be it intentional(misunderstood), typo, or autocorrect. Don't be so offended, this is after all, a truck forum.


That said, if the dealer is unable to properly diagnose, request they open a STAR case.

If you're not getting any traction with the dealer, consider reaching out to @RamCares to assist in working towards a resolution.

FWIW, my 2020 is frequently at altitude, yesterday in fact outside Nederland, CO @ around 10K, and has never exhibited any symptoms like that so it's not normal.
 
I made many trips to the top of Pikes Peak (14,115 ft) when I lived in Monument Colorado and never had an issue with a rough idle. I had an issue with a 2010 Duramax with rough/varying rpm idle at anything over 7500 ft and it turned out to be a leaky EGR. At higher elevations the thinner air made the leaky EGR cause the idle to be rough. After the EGR valve was replaced the idle was smooth/steady RPM.

Jay
 
Brutal_HO said:
It's just a little bit of good nature ribbing, for a common mistake/mispronunciation, be it intentional(misunderstood), typo, or autocorrect. Don't be so offended, this is after all, a truck forum.


That said, if the dealer is unable to properly diagnose, request they open a STAR case.

If you're not getting any traction with the dealer, consider reaching out to @RamCares to assist in working towards a resolution.

FWIW, my 2020 is frequently at altitude, yesterday in fact outside Nederland, CO @ around 10K, and has never exhibited any symptoms like that so it's not normal.Na, I am not offended.
Click to expand...

Brutal_HO said:
It's just a little bit of good nature ribbing, for a common mistake/mispronunciation, be it intentional(misunderstood), typo, or autocorrect. Don't be so offended, this is after all, a truck forum.


That said, if the dealer is unable to properly diagnose, request they open a STAR case.

If you're not getting any traction with the dealer, consider reaching out to @RamCares to assist in working towards a resolution.

FWIW, my 2020 is frequently at altitude, yesterday in fact outside Nederland, CO @ around 10K, and has never exhibited any symptoms like that so it's not normal.
Click to expand...
Na, I am not offended. LOL. Thanks for the good info.
 
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