i have a 96 ram 1500 2 wheeler with a 318(5.2) automatic with 59000 miles.about a year ago the idle started surging slightly but wouldnt do it with the heat or ac on so i ignored it.i figured it was the tps but did nothing.recently the trans started hanging in second gear and just acting strange in general but it would shift if i backed of the gas then it was fine.i also noticed when just cruising through the city when id let of the gas the rpms will drop like its in nuetral,then ill gas it and it will seem fine.now recently it has a surging idle and idles 1000 to 1200 rpm's whether the ac is on or not.ive done some research.i cleaned the iac...no difference.changed fluid and put in atf+4 fluid which seemed to help.well the surging idle is a pain in the *** so i went to a guy i know and he says my plenum gasket is shot and probably causing my problems?i looked through the open throttle body and seen a film of oil in there but definetly no puddle of oil in there like ive read about.any opinions?could the tps be causing this?THANKS if not for help,then just for reading this...HELP

 

You can NOT look through the TB for oil. It needs to be removed. A flashlight and a mirror will tell a different story(you need to look around the sides and the corners). Fix it. And yes, the TPS can cause the surging as can this, https://dodgeforum.com/forum/2nd-gen...ise-speed.html . The shifting problem is most likely the Governor Pressure Sensor and Governor Solenoid. Fix the plenum, replace the precat o2 sensor and check the cat, to make sure it's not clogged. Then move on to diagnosing the other probs.

 

i forgot to mention also since ive had this truck the cruise never worked.i got it with 14000 miles on it.

 

Does the little light in the steering wheel come on, when you try and power it up?

 

yes it does.

 

You'll want to check all your vacuum lines. And the CC module under the battery tray.

 

whats the cc module?

 

i've had surging idle a couple of times - jumping up/down to 1500, usually when cold. both times it was the TPS.

 

cruise control module.


forget all else. replace tps.

 

changed the tps today....if anything it idles a little higher and still surges