So i have a 1997 ram 1500 with a 5.2L 318. For awhile now its been making a pinging noise when it shifts into overdrive. Some told me it was bad gas, others say its somthing about the spark plug wires? Anyone have any idea what this could be? Thanks!

 

The initial shift into od is the prime conditions for ping.

If you do not know if the plenum gasket has ever been replaced, start there. There are tons of posts on that particular problem, a search of the forums will pull up tons of info.

What spark plugs are you running? Part number will help diagnose.

I would not think the wires would be a likely cause. Bad wires will usually be a constant problem, not a rpm specific issue.

Bad gas definitely a possibility. Try a different station or slightly higher grade and see if it goes away

are you running any aftermarket tuners/programmers?

 

Possible crank position sensor. I just had one go on the fritz a couple months ago, same deal,under load and in OD. There's alot of things that can cause a ping though,this is just another one. I would have it scanned to see if all the normal sensors are good.

 

Thanks for the info, and no the plenum gasket has not been replaced. Nothing has in 208k miles. But im going to go threw all the spark plugs and wires soon.

 

plenum gasket would be my first plan of attack.