New here! Problems with a 1997 Ram Laramie 5.2L
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From: AZ
New here! Problems with a 1997 Ram Laramie 5.2L
Hello,
This is my first post on this site, and I'm hoping someone can help! I recently purchased my sister's 1997 Ram 1500 Laramie, 2WD, 5.2L extended cab. Now, this is my first Dodge, and he's been having some issues...
The truck starts up great. While the engine temperature gauge is below half, the trucks sounds incredible, drives great, etc. Now, when the temperature gauge is a little over half (Normal operating temp.), and you come up to a stop light, the RPM of the engine changes. It will drop down to about 500 RPM, then bounce right back up, all in a matter of half a second! It never stalls out, and it happens maybe... Three times in a two mile drive (from start to stop). When I shut the A/C off, it seems like the idle issue doesn't happen. I am assuming this has to do with the load being applied.
At any rate, I have done plugs (Copper Autolite 5224, gapped to .040), fresh oil, resealed the differential, air filter, had someone clean the IAC (I don't know if he re-positioned the plunger), had the cats, fuel trim and O2 sensors checked at work on a Genysis scan tool, replaced the battery, checked the alternator (pushing 92 peak amps, which seems low to me?), cleaned out the ground wires that had a little corrosion in them, had the fuel pump and CPS replaced. I cleaned out the throttle body. I also checked the intake plenum for leaks by spraying carb cleaner on it, and the idle stayed even.
The vehicle shifts fine, doesn't make any weird noises, has no check engine light on, and seems great until it hits that area in the temp. gauge that is slightly over half (To clarify, if cold is 0%, the middle line is 50%, and hot is 100%, the area where it acts up, and where my "normal" temp is would be 55%).
I am completely out of ideas, and any would help. I greatly appreciate it, and thanks for having me on this forum! (I think I originally posted this in the wrong spot! Sorry!)
This is my first post on this site, and I'm hoping someone can help! I recently purchased my sister's 1997 Ram 1500 Laramie, 2WD, 5.2L extended cab. Now, this is my first Dodge, and he's been having some issues...
The truck starts up great. While the engine temperature gauge is below half, the trucks sounds incredible, drives great, etc. Now, when the temperature gauge is a little over half (Normal operating temp.), and you come up to a stop light, the RPM of the engine changes. It will drop down to about 500 RPM, then bounce right back up, all in a matter of half a second! It never stalls out, and it happens maybe... Three times in a two mile drive (from start to stop). When I shut the A/C off, it seems like the idle issue doesn't happen. I am assuming this has to do with the load being applied.
At any rate, I have done plugs (Copper Autolite 5224, gapped to .040), fresh oil, resealed the differential, air filter, had someone clean the IAC (I don't know if he re-positioned the plunger), had the cats, fuel trim and O2 sensors checked at work on a Genysis scan tool, replaced the battery, checked the alternator (pushing 92 peak amps, which seems low to me?), cleaned out the ground wires that had a little corrosion in them, had the fuel pump and CPS replaced. I cleaned out the throttle body. I also checked the intake plenum for leaks by spraying carb cleaner on it, and the idle stayed even.
The vehicle shifts fine, doesn't make any weird noises, has no check engine light on, and seems great until it hits that area in the temp. gauge that is slightly over half (To clarify, if cold is 0%, the middle line is 50%, and hot is 100%, the area where it acts up, and where my "normal" temp is would be 55%).
I am completely out of ideas, and any would help. I greatly appreciate it, and thanks for having me on this forum! (I think I originally posted this in the wrong spot! Sorry!)
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Joined: Apr 2010
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From: Clayton MI
Need to check the plenum. That is an internal leak, and you won't find it by spraying stuff around. Just take a look down the throttle bores, if you see pooling oil, plenum is blown. That leads to things like failed O2 sensors, and plugged cats. Check the plenum thread stickied at the top of this forum for LOTS of information.
Could also try running with the front O2 sensor disconnected, and see if that helps at all.
Could also try running with the front O2 sensor disconnected, and see if that helps at all.