2001 Dodge Ram 1500 V6 ...

Parts replaced:

• spark plugs and wires.
• Ignition coil.
• Refilled with new oil.

Problem:

• Occasional rough idle
• Heavy misfiring on acceleration
• Hesitation to accelerate
• Can't run on low RPMs without stalling or hesitating to rev

Engine code:

• P0037 heated oxygen sensor heater control circuit low bank 1 sensor 2

What could be causing the backfiring or misfires, loss of power, hesitation, occasional rough idle?

PCV valve?
EGR valve?
O2 sensor?
Fuel problem?
Injectors?

I put fuel system cleaner through it and carburetor cleaner and it ran a little better, but still runs bad.

I gapped the spark plugs correctly and in order

 

I searched for EGR valve on parts lists and I don't think my truck has one, does it? None shows up.

But it has a PCV valve.


I don't know if oxygen sensor can cause this problem, can it?
If so, where is it? By the exhaust? Behind the transmission close to the rear wheels or closer to the engine?
I read there's two oxygen sensors. That code would be for the downstream sensor

 

Sometimes it can take awhile for all the codes to come up. Maybe take it to somebody with a scanner or get live data from a code reader that has that capability. Pulling spark plugs is a good start and look for wet ones. The egr valve went out years ago.

 

No egr after 1996, inclusive.

How's the plenum? (see the stickied thread at the top of this forum.)

 

2001 shouldn't have plenum issues, Dodge/Chrysler acknowledged the problem with a TSB in 99 (?). Does it smell like gas at the exhaust ? As Torxhead wrote, live data from the O2 sensors is really useful, or look at the plugs it might be running way rich. P0037 relates to the heater circuit and if the O2 sensor is not at temp it doesn't produce "good" readings which in turn throw off the PCM.

 

The TSB didn't fix anything. If the gasket was blown, they simply replaced it. So, later on down the road, same problem......

 

Granted I worked in a different industry and not at Chrysler but once an issue was identified we would not ship product with the issue still present. The gasket is at "AB" level which indicates it has been updated. But maybe I'm giving Chrysler too much credit

 

Pretty much. The gasket part number updated, but they still had the same problem. Also, the question becomes, how many folks actually had the work performed, and the updated gasket installed?

Could you link to the TSB? I am curious if they also replace the bolts that hold the pan in place.

 

It was my impression that they offered a thicker gasket. But either way it's a known problem so fix it once and for all and do the Hughes kit. They can be found on ebay cheaper but Hughes didn't make them.

http://www.hughesengines.com/Index/p...p?partid=27091

 

Yeah, I think you are paying more for the name on the product there though. I mean, seriously, it's an aluminum plate.