Hey fellas, I used the search function first but to no avail.

1998 Ram 1500 4x4 V8 Magnum 5.9L with approximately 180,000 mi

Bought this truck from my dad a few years back and the only thing I've had to do other than regular maintenance is replace the radiator once.

A few weeks ago I was on my way home from a doctor appointment and the truck stalled in an odd way. I simply lost power. No RPM's, push the gas pedal and nothing. No warning lights or anything but the brakes still work. I put it in park and start it back up. It starts up with no hesitation whatsoever but the check engine light is on. I'm less than a mile down the road from an Autozone so I go there. On the way I only get power in increments, a little boost and then gone and repeat. While there I get PO172 and PO740 codes.

First thing I do is check the trans fluid and the level reads fine (engine hot and in neutral) and from the dipstick does not look dirty or grimy. Not having the money to do anything much else at the moment I drive it home where the light goes off and has not come back on since.

I had been using the truck sparingly because of the high miles so I have put this off. I have driven probably a dozen times or so since this happened and it hadn't stalled again until I took it to work yesterday. I haven't had any warning lights at all since that original stall and it had been running just as it always had without issue in-between these stalls.

Anyone have any insight?

 

I suggest you read this, https://dodgeforum.com/forum/2nd-gen...um-thread.html .

 

That link zman posted could possibly be the reason for the first code, P0172. P0172 may be a bad pre-cat O2 sensor as well/instead, which may even have been caused by the problem described in zman's link. However, P0740 is for the torque converter clutch (TCC) solenoid in the transmission, "No RPM Drop at Lockup." I'm going to have to let some tranny experts take a peak at that one before commenting.

 

One problem at a time a time please.

 

Good sticky fellas.

I think I'll start with that upflow O2 sensor because I'm not getting a knock or having an issue with oil consumption. I think I'll grab the $65 Bosch OE they have at Autozone unless someone has another brand recommendation.

The PO740 worries me though. Seems like it could be quite a few things, some minor some not so minor.

Either way I can't get into it until the weekend of the 9th.

 

Don't use bosch O2's. Go with Denso, or NTK.

 

See, I'm glad that I asked. Denso is superior quality I take it? They offer a 3 month warranty compared to Bosch's 1 year warranty.

 

Denso is what he OEM units are. NTK makes good quality parts.

 

Boschs are very hit and miss, quality wise. They are usually the cheapest, hence why most auto parts stores carry them.

Best prices for Denso or NGK/NTK units will be at Rock Auto usually.

 

Time for an update and a new question!

I replaced the O2 Sensor (upflow) and I am not having the power loss problem any longer which is awesome!

Unfortunately I have encountered a new and interesting problem. I went to use the defrost yesterday and it was not working. Instead, have smoke coming into the cab through the heat vents. I thought I smelled a faint hint of antifreeze but not what I would expect the strength of the smell to be. There are no overheating issues, everything else seems normal.

Last summer I replaced the radiator and everything was fine but I know that sometimes pressurized systems develop issues once something is replaced with a new part.

Heater core? Blower motor?