# Fails to idle **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** ram, dodge, 1500\ **Created:** [October 10, 2010, 1:49am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/fails-to-idle/56170 "2010-10-10T01:49:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![DamRam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c67d28/32.png) [@DamRam](https://community.cartalk.com/u/DamRam)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2010, 1:49am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/fails-to-idle/56170/1 "2010-10-10T01:49:11Z")
2000 Ram 1500 V8. It failed to start, got a jump and got it started. The problem now is that it fails to stay on/fails to idle. I got it home by putting it in neutral when ever I had to come to a stop and keeping it reved while using my left foot to work the brakes. I feel that the problem is the alternator. Can anyone confirm? ---
**Author:** ![Xebadaih](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/d07c76/32.png) [@Xebadaih](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Xebadaih)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2010, 2:20am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/fails-to-idle/56170/2 "2010-10-10T02:20:38Z")
A dead battery will cause most Chrysler products to not idle. Start by going and having your battery tested, I bet it is no good anymore. ---
**Author:** ![Rod-Knox](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a183cd/32.png) [@Rod-Knox](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Rod-Knox)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2010, 2:21am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/fails-to-idle/56170/3 "2010-10-10T02:21:52Z")
If the battery continues to have the power to operate the starter, i.e., crank the engine when you twist the key, the problem is not the alternator. Has the engine ever been tuned? If not have it properly tuned and make sure the tune up includes cleaning the throttle and idle air control.