Hello, I just bought my first dodge Ram pickup. It is a 2001 Ram 1500 with the 5.9L V8 Magnum. I think something is wrong because I can put the throttle to the Floor and it just goes. there is no Chirp from the tires or anything it just goes. I try and power break just to see and it wont do that either. As far as I know everything is stock, the truck has exactly 100,000 miles on it. it looks as if it has not towed anything big or been beat. is there traction control in these trucks? I have googled and googled I cant not find anything that gives me a definitive answer. I do not know if the gears have been messed with, I would think not. the tire size is P265/75/16. the sticker on the fan shroud says 5.9L. To me this truck should be able to turn tires on demand, is there something wrong?

 

Blown plenum, needs spark plugs, has deathflash.


First three things that came to my mind just now.

Welcome to DF!

 

So where do I start looking to fix this problem?

 

it is a 2001 so yes it has the deathflash on the pcm, but my 2001 still would spin 33s with no prob., i would check to see if the plenum is blown, which it prob is if its never been done, and or i would do it anyway, and do a FULL tune up along with it, i mean the whole 9, plugs,wires,cap,rotor,coil if u want, change the upstreak o2 sensor with a ntk brand, make sure the cat isnt clogging, run some seafoam thru the fuel and thru the engine to smoke it out and clean everything, but dont put seafoam into the oil unless your gonna change it also because it will break up stuff and make it go into your pan and then the pickup tube may get clogged... this will get your started at least. and use a k&n drop in filter if you want or run a 14x3 its up to you. as for the deathflash you can get a programmer from hemifever and really open the engine back up, but thats something that can wait... hope this gets you going.

use the search function at the top and search for the plenum sticky

 

Also, there are free factory service manual downloads in the DIY/FAQ section.

 

Hey thanks a lot for the help.

 

Ok so I found the plenum sticky and I followed the steps to diagnose a blown plenum I could not really get in a position to look down there but I held open the throttle body valves and stuck a magnet on a stick down there, I didnt really feel it stick to the plate on the bottom but when I removed it it had thick black sludge on the end. Does this mean I have a blown plenum? Is it worse? I really don't know much about these motors. I just need to know what is wrong before I call the dealership tomorrow.

 

It likely didn't stick because of the oil sludge crap.

If it's really bad built up, yep, your plenum is blown.


And don't take it to the dealership, if you have to have a shop do it, get an engine shop to do it.

 

Read the stickied plenum thread at the top of the forum and you'll find all the information you need.

 

You have a 6000lb truck, a 200hp motor with 3.55 gears, nothing's wrong.