does anyone know what could cause a sudden "major systems failure" leading to an extremely rough idle, power loss of approximately 50%, engine miss, and extremely "choppy" exhaust? please help

 

Id say you need to replace you spark plugs, wires, Start there and see what happens, then if that doesnt help move to your injectors, Check you air filter, Hope this helps


BNB

 

Check your catalytic converter as well. If the guts inside let go, it can happen all at once. [:'(]

 

ive already replaced plug wires, checked plugs, replaced 2 bad injectors, and pressure tested to ensure its not a burnt exhaust valve (which i suspected due to extreme loss of power, my top speed is app. 50 mph) while its in park it revs to extremely high rpms with just the slightest push on the accelerator. I fixed the code that my system was showing but my check engine light still blinks which means i still have a critical systems failure somewhere. hope this info helps someone help me.

 

Well then i would have to agree with the rom. A cat may be in order for you. Hey, Rom do you think He could be in for that recall. That article that you sent came in handy for the dealer. I showed it to him and he quickly changed it. Thanks and Hope this helps

 

i recieved a letter about a cat change but i dont remember there being anything about a recall in it...i could be mistaken(and hope i am) let me know Rom...

 

He should be covered. It doesn't specify engine for the Ram...just model years (96-01). So if it's the converter, he should be able to take it to a dealer and get it fixed under the replacement program.

Here are the articles:
http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/...ler-usat_x.htm

http://detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/art...512220366/1148

 

thanks hopefully this helps im about to check it out and ill let you know....thanks again

 

ive always had a rough idle, but recently my check engine light came on with no reduction in performance...the failure was sudden....this still points to a converter?

 

The only thing left that i could think of is maybe you are misfiring on a cylinder. I am misfiring on #4 Bit I could not tell a performance loss. I think it is my injector. Other than that i am stumped Sorry, But hopefully the cat will fix it.


BNB