I have a 2000 dodge ram 1500 5.9 with 136,000 miles. About a month ago i noticed it was driving and idling funny. i would start it up, and it would have a normal idle, until about 2-3 minutes later, the RPMs would start dropping and the truck would start acting like it wanted to die and was very rough. i would have to give it gas to keep it alive. But if i just hop in it and take off, without letting it sit, once i turn onto the highway from my neighborhood, it would bog down, kind of jumpy, at like it wanted to die. the only way to fix it was to accelerate very quickly and then once the truck was warmed up, it was fine...it would idle fine and run perfect. We have replaced spark plugs, new spark plug wires, cap and rotor, new air filter, replaced the TPS about 3 times, checked the MAP sensor, checked the vacume hose from the MAP, and replaced the IAC... just this last week the water pump was leaking so I had that replaced. is there anything i am missing that could be causing this? because it is fine after it warms up.
Also, it is not throwing any codes.
Thank you,
Nick

 

Replace the front O2 sensor. NTK, or Denso brand please. Don't bother with bosch, our trucks don't like them.

Welcome to DF!

 

Where's this o2 sensor located? On the 2000 and 2001 there are 2 upstream o2 sensors correct?
Thank you!

 

Depends on what engine, and which emissions package you have. California will have two regardless of year. (96 and later, not sure about before that....) I think the V-10s had two right from the git-go. (94 and up.)

Do you have california emissions? If not, then, just one Precat O2, which will be right in front of, if not IN, the cat.

 

No, no California emissions, I'm from Texas, but I had the shop that replaced the water pump kinda look over it to see if they could find anything, and they couldn't and they said the o2 sensor was good. Is there a way to check myself with a multimeter or should I just replace it.

 

Isn't there a intake air temp sensor on these dodges? Could that be the problem?

 

The symptoms you report are exactly what we expect to see from a failing sensor. Can't do anything with a multi-meter though.... If you want to verify it's bad, before replacing it, just unplug it, and drive like that for a bit. (that WILL set a couple codes.... big surprise. ) I will be real money that your symptoms immediately disappear.

 

IAT sensor rarely fails, and the PCM only uses it in open loop. Even then it isn't that critical.

 

alright im going to take a look underneath and see if i can find the o2 sensor, if so, ill start it and unplug it and see what happens. ill let you know, Thanks!

 

Update: pain in the butt to unplug that sensor. It's in an awkward spot. But finally got it. And started it. Ran perfect. Thank you so much, I was stumped, all weekend I've been researching, spent over 150$ in sensors because the guy at the shop said "the o2 sensor isn't bad" oh well. Is it safe to drive like that? Just wanna take it for a spin and see how it does on the road, then I'll go buy a new o2 sensor if it did fine, much appreciated!