1997 Dodge Ram Idleing Problem - please help

JEFFHORTON90

MEMBER
1997 DODGE RAM

Engine Performance problem
1997 Dodge Ram V8 Two Wheel Drive

my truck died on me about 5 months ago. When I started it I would have to hold in the gas to keep it running and when I let go of the gas pedal it died. I got it to berally run and took it to autozone, I was going down the road and when I let go of the gas pedal going down the road it would die, and I would have to stop and start it back up. I took it up to autozone like I was saying and they said it could be the idle air sensor contol. So I baught a new one and a week later it did it again and I couldn`t get it started, so I baught another idle air sensor control again and it worked again for about 2 weeks, but now its now its acting a little diffrent. When I`m driving down the road when I let go of the gas it dies sometimes or gets to low of an idle to stay running. I hooked it up to the computer again and it said it was the tps sensor, well I baught another one today and put it on, and its still acting up, I thought that it might be the map sensor sence that was next, anyone have any ideas. Thanks

2 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,755 POSTS

HAs the check engine light come on again? If so, can you tell me the codes you got? Also, have you checked for vacuum leaks, fuel pressure.

Let me know.

Joe

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Friday, January 8th, 2010 AT 9:06 PM

MRMIKETN

MEMBER
1 POST

I had what sounds to be the same problem with my girlfriends 1996 1500 5.9L
Granted the battery needed replaced, but I ended up replacing MAP, IAC, TPS, TUNE UP AND EVERY OTHER SENSOR.
AND no vac leaks.
Well it did nothing. Lol
Kept low idle and dieing, WAS always getting code 11 signal or ignition signal, no reference signal during cranking.
Just did tons of research and more research and went to dealer and nothing helped.( I AM NO MECHANIC)
Finally Thought "why not", change the PCM.
Went to the counter at my favorite auto parts store that has real counter guys that use books or know the parts WITHOUT asking me if my dodge has aircond so they can get past the question in the computer to tell me what headlight I need. LOL
They had just hired a very young new sales counter clerk.
He told me to wait, do 1 simple test before dropping $299 for no reason.
He took a multi meter out and tested the wiring between the distributor and the PCM (3 wires). Shaky unstable continuity and wrong voltage signals was what he told me.
Walked back in he went straight to the back came out with the replacement distributor, and some wires, and what he called a "Hall Effect replacement part?"
The new I bought the new distributor with wires going to the PCM and DID NOT buy the "hall effect thing" because it was already in the new distributor, did not buy a new PCM.
Put the new Distributor in, hooked battery back up.
WOW BETTER! And later that day after driving it a while with a few minutes between startings it now runs PERFECT!

Drove it to the DODGE dealer that I paid to diagnose and fix it 15 days earlier, and they couldnt get it done, showed them what fixed it and they handed me a check for $184 ( I paid them $253).

Go figure a 19yr old kid in 15 minutes diagnosed for FREE what the Dealer couldnt do in 3 days for $250.

I hope this helps.

MrMike�