2004 DODGE RAM 2500 DIESEL check engine light

²A heated intake air system both improves engine
starting and reduces the amount of white smoke
generated by a warming engine.
Normal Starting Procedure Ð Engine Manifold
AirTemperature Above 66ÉF (19ÉC)
Observe the Instrument Panel Cluster lights when start-
ing the engine.
1. Always apply the parking brake.
2. Shift into PARK for an automatic transmission. Fully
depress and hold the clutch and shift into NEUTRAL for
a manual transmission. Models with manual transmis-
sion are equipped with a clutch interlocking cranking
system. The clutch must be fully depressed to start the
vehicle.
3. Turn the ignition key to the ON position and look at
the instrument panel cluster lamps.The lamps in the instrument panel cluster will illuminate
when the ignition key is first turned to the ON position.
This is a bulb check programmed to last for approxi-
mately 3 seconds. After the bulb check is completed, the
Malfunction Indicator Light and Brake Warning light will
remain on. After the bulb check is complete and the
WAIT TO START indicator goes out proceed to step 4.
CAUTION!
If WATER IN FUEL indicator light remains on DO
NOT START engine before you drain water from the
fuel filter to avoid engine damage. See Section 7 Ð
Maintaining Your Vehicle, for water drain proce-
dures.
4. Turn the ignition key to START and crank the engine.
Do not press the accelerator during starting.
206 STARTING AND OPERATING

CAUTION!
Do not crank engine for more than 15 seconds at a
time as starter motor damage may result. Turn key to
OFF and wait at least two minutes before trying
again.
5. When the engine starts, release the key.
6. Check to see that there is oil pressure.
7. Release the parking brake.
Starting Procedure Ð Engine Manifold Air
Temperature Below 66ÉF (19ÉC)
NOTE:The temperature displayed on the overhead
console (if equipped) does not necessarily reflect the
engine manifold air temperature. The wait-to-start lamp
will illuminate momentarily for a bulb check when the
ignition key is turned to the ON position, however whencertain engine temperatures fall below 66ÉF (19ÉC) the
lamp will remain on indicating the intake manifold
heater system is active.
Follow the steps in the Normal Starting Procedure ex-
cept:
CAUTION!
Do not crank engine for more than 15 seconds at a
time or starter motor damage may result. Turn key to
OFF and wait at least 2 minutes for starter to cool
before repeating start procedure.
²The WAIT TO START light will remain on for a period
of time (length of time depends on engine tempera-
ture) after completion of the bulb check.
STARTING AND OPERATING 207
5

²After the WAIT TO START light goes off, turn the
ignition key to START. Do not press the accelerator
during starting.
²Check to see that there is oil pressure.
²Allow the engine to idle at fast idle for about three
minutes until the manifold heaters have completed
the post-heat cycle.
²Release the parking brake and drive.
NOTE:Engine idle speed will automatically increase to
1000 rpm at low coolant temperatures to improve engine
warm-up.
NOTE:If the engine stalls or if the ignition switch is left
On for more than 2 minutes after the WAIT TO START
light goes out, reset the grid heaters by turning the
ignition switch to Off and the back On. Repeat steps 3
through 7 of the normal starting procedure.
For Extremely Cold Weather Starting (Engine
Temperature Below 0ÉF (- 18ÉC)
In extremely cold weather below 0ÉF (- 18ÉC) it may be
beneficial to cycle the manifold heaters twice before
attempting to start the engine. This can be accomplished
by turning the ignition OFF and then back ON after the
WAIT TO START light has gone off, but before the engine
is started. However, repeated cycling of the manifold
heaters will result in damage to the heater elements or
reduced battery voltage.
NOTE: If multiple pre-heat cycles are used before
starting, additional engine run time may be required to
maintain battery state of charge at a satisfactory level.
²If the engine stalls after the initial start, the ignition
must be turned to the OFF position and then to the ON
position to recycle the manifold heaters.
NOTE:Excessive white smoke and poor engine perfor-
mance will result if manifold heaters are not recycled.
208 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!
Do not leave children or animals inside parked
vehicles in hot weather. Interior heat build up may
cause serious injury or death.
NORMAL OPERATION
Observe the following when the engine is operating.
²All message center lights are off.
²Check Engine Lamp is off.
²Engine Oil Pressure is above 10 psi (69 kPa) at idle.
²Low Oil Pressure light is off.
²Voltmeter Operation:
²The voltmeter may show a gauge fluctuation if
certain engine temperatures are below 66ÉF (19ÉC).
This cycling operation is caused by the post-heatcycle of the intake manifold heater system. The
number of cycles and the length of the cycling
operation is controlled by the engine control mod-
ule, this time will not exceed 150 seconds. The
needle should then stabilize at the approximate
operation point.
²The cycling action will cause temporary dimming of
the headlamps, interior lamps, and also a noticeable
reduction in blower motor speed.
Cold Weather Precautions
Operation in ambient temperature below 32ÉF (0ÉC) may
require special considerations. The following charts sug-
gest these options:
STARTING AND OPERATING 211
5

Apply a light film of lubricating oil to the sealing surface
of the filter gasket before installing the filter.
CAUTION!
Overtightening may distort the threads or damage
the filter element seal.
Install the filter as specified by the filter manufacturer.
Turn the filter 3/4 to one full turn after making contact
with the gasket.
Check the condition of the threads and sealing surface on
the oil pan and drain plug.
Install the drain plug and sealing washer and tighten to
37 ft-lbs. (50 N´m).Use only high-quality multi-grade lubricating oil in your
Cummins Diesel Engine. Choose the correct oil for your
operating conditions as outlined in the Selection of
Engine Oil.
Cummins Turbo Diesel
Fill the engine with the correct grade of new oil. The
engine capacity is 11 quarts (10.4 liters) in the crankcase
and 1 quart (.95 liter) in the lubricating oil filter.
Start the engine and operate it at idle for several minutes.
Check for leaks at the lubricating oil filter and oil pan
drain plug.
Stop the engine. Wait approximately 15 minutes to let the
oil in the upper parts of the engine drain back to the pan.
Check the oil level again.
Add oil as necessary to bring the level to the ªSAFEº
mark on the dipstick.
330 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

²Check the fluid levels of coolant reservoir, brake
master cylinder, and transmission and transfer case (if
equipped), add as needed.
²Check Filter MinderŸ. Replace air cleaner filter
element if necessary.
²Check all lights and all other electrical items for correct
operation.
At Each Oil Change
²Change the engine oil filter.
²Inspect the exhaust system.
²Inspect the brake hoses.
²Inspect the CV joints (if equipped) and front suspen-
sion components.
²Check the automatic transmission fluid level.
²Check the manual transmission fluid level.
²Check the coolant level, hoses, and clamps.
386 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
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Air Cleaner, Engine...................331,358
Air Conditioner Maintenance............... 338
Air Conditioning Refrigerant.............338,339
Air Conditioning System................187,338
Air Conditioning System, Zone Control........ 191
Air Filter.............................. 331
Air Pressure, Tires....................252,259
Airbag..............................45,50
Airbag Light.........................70,144
Airbag On/Off Switch..................... 50
Airbag, Side............................ 53
Alarm..............................29,147
Alignment and Balance................... 258
Alterations/Modifications, Vehicle............. 7
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)................ 345
Capacities........................... 379
Anti-Lock Warning Light...............146,242
Anti-Theft System.....................29,147
Appearance Care........................ 362Ashtray............................... 127
Automatic Transmission................... 353
Adding Fluid......................... 353
Fluid and Filter Changes................. 354
Fluid Level Check...................... 353
Fluid Type........................354,381
Shift Indicator........................ 147
Shifting............................. 218
Special Additives...................... 355
Axle Fluid.......................274,351,381
Axle Lubrication.....................274,351
Ball Joints............................. 340
Battery............................... 336
Blanket..........................213,338
Emergency Starting..................... 310
Bearings.............................. 355
Belts, Drive............................ 331
Belts, Seat.............................. 34
412 INDEX

Body Mechanism Lubrication............... 340
B-Pillar Location........................ 247
Brake Fluid............................ 381
Brake System........................239,348
Anti-Lock........................... 240
Disc Brakes.......................... 348
Fluid Check.......................... 348
Hoses.............................. 350
Master Cylinder....................... 348
Parking............................. 238
Warning Light........................ 147
Bulb Replacement....................... 367
Bulbs, Light............................ 367
Cab Top Clearance Lights.................. 375
Calibration, Compass..................... 117
Camper............................... 135
Capacities, Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)........ 379
Capacities, Fluid........................ 379Caps, Filler
Power Steering........................ 339
Car Washes............................ 362
Carbon Monoxide Warning...............69,136
Cargo Light............................ 103
Cassette Tape and Player Maintenance......... 183
Cassette Tape Player................152,154,158
CD Changer......................156,167,172
CD Player..................164,168,171,175,177
Cellular Phone.......................... 79
Center High Mounted Stop Light............ 373
Center Lap Belts......................... 42
Center Seat Storage Compartment............ 129
Certification Label....................... 269
Charge Air Cooler....................... 347
Chart, Tire Sizing........................ 244
Check Engine Light...................... 143
Child Restraint........................55,56
Child Restraint Tether Anchors.............59,63
INDEX 413
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