# 2001 dodge ram engine starts and stops

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/2001-dodge-ram-engine-starts-and-stops/31548>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Created:** [June 7, 2009, 7:35pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2001-dodge-ram-engine-starts-and-stops/31548 "2009-06-07T19:35:04Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![chicks13](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/96bed5/32.png) [@chicks13](https://community.cartalk.com/u/chicks13)\
**Post date:** [June 7, 2009, 7:35pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2001-dodge-ram-engine-starts-and-stops/31548/1 "2009-06-07T19:35:04Z")

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I can start the engine and then it immediately stops. The door locks work without the key in the ignition but do not work when the key is inserted into the ignition. The battery goes dead suddenly.  
  
 It is a 5.9L V8 dodge ram 1500

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**Author:** ![Caddyman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/caddyman/32/23_2.png) [@Caddyman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Caddyman)\
**Post date:** [June 7, 2009, 8:10pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2001-dodge-ram-engine-starts-and-stops/31548/2 "2009-06-07T20:10:01Z")

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Carefully check all the GROUND leads. Start at the battery negative post and work downstream from there. Remove, clean, replace, tighten…Make SURE the chassis (body) grounding is in good shape.

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**Author:** ![chicks13](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/96bed5/32.png) [@chicks13](https://community.cartalk.com/u/chicks13)\
**Post date:** [June 7, 2009, 8:59pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2001-dodge-ram-engine-starts-and-stops/31548/3 "2009-06-07T20:59:01Z")

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could it be the BCM?

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**Author:** ![chicks13](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/96bed5/32.png) [@chicks13](https://community.cartalk.com/u/chicks13)\
**Post date:** [June 7, 2009, 9:37pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2001-dodge-ram-engine-starts-and-stops/31548/4 "2009-06-07T21:37:09Z")

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I have checked all the grounds now. They are all tight.

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**Author:** ![chicks13](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/96bed5/32.png) [@chicks13](https://community.cartalk.com/u/chicks13)\
**Post date:** [June 7, 2009, 10:51pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2001-dodge-ram-engine-starts-and-stops/31548/5 "2009-06-07T22:51:56Z")

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I just checked my spark plugs and gap. The gap was fine, the plugs looked dry and black like soot. There was not wetness evident.