Hello everyone! I am having several problems with my truck. (2001 Ram 1500 5.9L V8 4WD )

1) Check engine light on. P1740 code. Already had the transmission valve body pressure boost valve cover plate replaced because I had read a technical service bulletin about it. The CEL came back on at a later date.

2) Sporadic idling. Truck alternates idling normal and cutting out some (but doesn't stall).

3) When I first take off the truck sputters along. I give it gas and it doesn't want to go. As the truck warms uo it drives better. (Note it's 70 degrees here today so it's not due to the cold haha).

4) Going up hills when driving around town the engine wants to cut out.

5) The engine cuts out when passing on under heavy accelleration on the highway. I will switch lanes and hit the gas and it revs but doesn't go (like I shoved it into neutral). If I back off and try again or try with a little less enthusiasm on the gas pedal it goes.

I'm sure there are several things going on here. I am going to take it in to have it looked at but I thought if any of these were easy fixes I might give them a shot. I'd also like to have an idea what the problem(s) might be before dropping the truck off to be fixed.

Thank you greatly for your time and any help that you might have.

 

If your truck got over 70K and the plenum gasket hasn't been upgraded, thats where u need to start. Get the Hughes Plenum Reinforcement gasket kit and I can almost guarantee it will solve at least one of your problems. And yes its a project that will take some work. Heres the link : http://www.hughesengines.com/Index/p...5&partid=22220

 

You may be low on tranny fluid, could be the cause why your having trouble accelerating. Check all of your fluids and for any leaks u could have.

 

Thank you 'bigslick050'. I bought the truck used at 111,000. I've only put 3,000 miles on it. So I am not sure if the plenum gasket has been changed yet. I will have it checked. I will also check the fluid levels and for leaks tonight.

 

Could also be your catalytic converter. When mine blocked the truck would not go above 30 on hills even when floored the rpms would jump but it would'nt move. It also seemed like the less gas you gave it the better it would go.

 

Numbers 2 and 3 are fixed. New Oxygen Sensor. Although now for some reason the truck seems to have less power than before. Before I would have to be careful not to get on the gas too much taking off or I would peel out. Not enough power to worry about that now. Also high end power isn't there either. When passing I have to push gas pedal all the way to the floor. :-(

Number 5 is still happening. Also, the check engine light just came back on. I'm assuming same error code but haven't had it checked yet.

Please feel free to post any more comments, solutions, etc. Thannk you.