Here goes nothing. I have a 94 5.2 2wd with ummmm... 265,000 on it. I bought it about a year ago and I have had little glitches since day one. I have fixed most of them, but these are the one I'm having trouble with.

Idle Issue. This one irritates me more than anything.... The first startup of the day is fine. Get in turn the key and it will run for hours no problems. The second startup, or any consequent starting of the engine, gives me problems. I leave for work around 5am. I go start it up to let the thing warm up. It's winter in Michigan. Drive to work, park it. When I leave in the afternoon, I warm it up... winter, Michigan. If I let it sit and idle, after about five minutes, I hear a nasty hissing and it starts running rough. This will often go away after about 45sec to 1min. On rare occasions....it stalls. It will start right back up though. If I don't let it warm up, just get in and drive, after about 5mins it starts with its antics. It will cough, sputter, and lose power, unless I floor it for a second. After that.... runs fine. It doesn't matter what time of year, rain, snow....barometric pressure. No joke....I though it might have to do with a change in the barometer.

Varying voltage. Note: this will happen if I'm rocking my system or not. Usually, my voltmeter will sit vertical and twitch when I turn on my blinker. However, sometimes the gauge will read near the maximum normal range or as low as the minimum normal range. The lights will get dim, the fan will slow down and all that jazz. Any suggestions. I did test the alternator. Its good. Replaced battery in August. Duralast.

One last thing.... Where the heck is the fuel filter?

Thanks in advance, Rob

 

Welcome to DodgeForum!

The idling issue is likely the IAC (idle air controller). Start by replacing that. As for the other issue, I would be willing to bet you are on the right track with your barometric pressure comment. It sounds to me like either a vacuum leak or a bad MAP sensor. There are procedures for testing the various sensors in the FSM. We have the 95 FSM available for free download in faq2... same as your '94.

I'm not sure about the alternator issue.

The fuel filter is integrated into the pump inside the tank.

 

Thanks man. I kind of figured that is was something simple, but I didn't want to just start throwing parts at it.

 

On the alt, check the belt, tensioner (it should spring back and may be bad), battery connections and ground connections. If there is any doubt on the cables replace them mine are redundant with 2 gauge welding cable.

 

When the battery blew... fused cells... the cables were fried. I replaced them with 0 gage welding cable. New terminals... the whole nine yards. I am running 2kwatts in the back seat. I have never really pounded it. The belt isn't squealing and it doesn't look too old. No cracks or glazing. I'm beginning to think it might be the voltage regulator on the alternator itself. I don't know... I might be over thinking things. I'll go throught it again when the sun is up. Thanks.