2008 DODGE RAM 2500 DIESEL light

NOTE:The engine block heater cord is a factory in-
stalled option. If your vehicle is not equipped, heater
cords are available from your authorized Mopartdealer.
²A 12±volt heater built into the fuel filter housing aids
in preventing fuel gelling. It is controlled by a built-in
thermostat.
²A heated intake air system both improves engine
starting and reduces the amount of white smoke
generated by a warming engine.
Manual Transmission ± If Equipped
Apply the parking brake, place the shift lever in NEU-
TRAL and depress the clutch pedal to the floor before
starting the vehicle. This vehicle is equipped with a
clutch interlocking ignition system. It will not start unless
the clutch is fully depressed.
Normal Starting Procedure ± Engine Manifold Air
Temperature Above 66ÉF (19ÉC)
Observe the instrument panel cluster lights when starting
the engine.
1. Always apply the parking brake.
2. Shift into PARK for an automatic transmission. For
vehicles equipped with manual transmissions, fully de-
press and hold the clutch pedal and shift into NEUTRAL.
3. Turn the ignition key to the ON position and watch the
instrument panel cluster lights.
STARTING AND OPERATING 269
5

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. Refer to ªDrain-
ing Fuel/Water Separator Filter (6.7L Diesel Engine)º
under ªMaintenance Proceduresº in Section 7.
4. Turn the ignition key to START and crank the engine.
Do not press the accelerator during starting.
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 ± 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. When certain engine
temperatures fall below 66ÉF (19ÉC) the lights will remain
on indicating the intake manifold heater system is active.
270 STARTING AND OPERATING

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 two 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).
²After the WAIT TO START light goes off, turn the
ignition key to START. Do not press the accelerator
during starting.
²After engine start-up, check to see that there is oil
pressure.
²Allow the engine to idle 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 two minutes after the WAIT TO START
light goes out, reset the grid heaters by turning the
ignition switch to OFF for at least five seconds and then
back ON. Repeat steps 3 through 7 of the normal starting
procedure.
STARTING AND OPERATING 271
5

For Extremely Cold Weather Starting Ð Engine
Manifold Air 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 for at least five seconds 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.
Proceed by following the steps in the Normal Starting
Procedure.
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 for at least five
seconds 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.
²Heat generated by the manifold heaters dissipates
rapidly in a cold engine. If more than two minutes
pass between the time the WAIT TO START light goes
OFF and the engine is started, recycle the manifold
heaters by turning the ignition OFF for at least five
seconds and then back ON.
²If the vehicle is driven and vehicle speed exceeds 19
mph (31 km/h) before the manifold heater post-heat
(after start) cycle is complete, the manifold heaters will
shut off.
272 STARTING AND OPERATING

²If the engine is started before the WAIT TO START
light turns off, the preheat cycle will turn off.
²If the engine is cranked for more than 10 seconds, the
post-heat cycle will turn off.
NOTE:Engine idle speed will automatically increase to
1000 RPM at low coolant temperatures to improve engine
warm-up.
NOTE:When a diesel engine is allowed to run out of
fuel or the fuel gels at low temperatures, air is pulled into
the fuel system.
You may try priming as described below:
1. Add a substantial quantity of fuel to the tank (5 to 10
gal) (19 to 38 L) or eliminate the gelled fuel condition.
2. Crank the engine for one to two seconds. If the engine
does not start, then turn the ignition back to the RUN
position (do not turn the ignition back to the OFFposition). The electric fuel transfer pump will continue to
run and purge air from the system for about 20 seconds.
After 20 seconds, attempt to start the engine again.
3. Start the engine using the Normal Starting Procedure.
4. Repeat the procedure if the engine does not start.
WARNING!
Do not open the high pressure fuel system when
cranking the engine or with the engine running.
Engine operation causes high fuel pressure. High
pressure fuel spray can cause serious injury or death.
NOTE:The engine may run rough until the air is forced
from all the fuel lines.
STARTING AND OPERATING 273
5

Starting Fluids
WARNING!
STARTING FLUIDS or flammable liquids are
NEVER TO BE USED in the CumminstDiesel (see
Warning label). Never pour diesel fuel, flammable
liquid, starting fluids (ether) into the air cleaner
canister, air intake piping, or turbocharger inlet in an
attempt to start the vehicle. This could result in a
flash fire and explosion causing serious personal
injury and engine damage.
The engine is equipped with an automatic electric air
preheating system. If the instructions in this manual are
followed, the engine should start in all conditions.
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 (DIESEL ENGINE)
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.
274 STARTING AND OPERATING

NOTE:High-speed, no-load running of a cold engine
can result in excessive white smoke and poor engine
performance. No-load engine speeds should be kept
under 1,200 rpm during the warm-up period, especially
in cold ambient temperature conditions.
If temperatures are below 32ÉF (0ÉC), operate the engine
at moderate speeds for 5 minutes before full loads are
applied.
Engine Idling
Avoid prolonged idling, long periods of idling may be
harmful to your engine because combustion chamber
temperatures can drop so low that the fuel may not burn
completely. Incomplete combustion allows carbon and
varnish to form on piston rings and injector nozzles.
Also, the unburned fuel can enter the crankcase, diluting
the oil and causing rapid wear to the engine.
CAUTION!
Extended periods of idle time may not allow the
vehicle's exhaust aftertreatment system to properly
regenerate. This can lead to the illumination of the
Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) or an Electronic
Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) warning message.
Operating the engine for extended periods with the
MIL illuminated or an EVIC warning message dis-
played can cause extensive engine and exhaust sys-
tem damage.
NOTE:Your vehicle is equipped with a turbo speed
limiter, this feature limits the engine speed to 1200 rpm
when engine coolant temperatures are below 70ÉF (21ÉC).
This feature is designed to protect the turbo charger from
damage and will only operate in PARK or NEUTRAL.
278 STARTING AND OPERATING

NOTE:If the vehicle is started in extremely cold tem-
peratures, the transmission may not shift into Overdrive
and will automatically select the most desirable gear for
operation at this temperature. Normal operation will
resume when the transmission fluid temperature has
risen to a suitable level. Refer also to the Note under
torque converter clutch, later in this section.
If the transmission temperature gets extremely hot, the
transmission will automatically select the most desirable
gear for operation at this temperature. If the transmission
temperature becomes hot enough the TRANS TEMP light
may illuminate and the transmission may downshift out
of Overdrive until the transmission cools down. After
cooldown, the transmission will resume normal opera-
tion.
The transmission will downshift from Overdrive to Drive
if the accelerator pedal is fully depressed at vehicle
speeds above approximately 35 mph (56 km/h).When To Use TOW HAUL
When driving in hilly areas, towing a trailer, carrying a
heavy load, etc., and frequent transmission shifting oc-
curs, press the TOW HAUL button once to select TOW
HAUL. In TOW HAUL mode, 4th to 5th gear upshifts are
1 Ð Tow/Haul Switch
2 Ð AUTO-6 (ERS) Switch 288 STARTING AND OPERATING