The last 2 days, my truck won't idle. I have to keep my foot on the gas or else it'll die. It runs smooth, even if I keep the RPMs at 500, and there's no codes being thrown. My best guess is the IAC motor is shot. Either that or the TPS isn't working properly, but I'm looking for other ideas so any help would be appreciated. I'm just out of warranty so this will have to be a self diagnosis.

 

My truck was doing this for awhile, and the problem was the throttle position sensor. I cleaned out the throttle body and checked the sensor connections, easy hour of work. It cleared the problem up for the most part. About once a week it will idle low, at 380-400 rpm, but it stopped stalling out completely. Hopefully this cheap-fix will work for ya, otherwise you'll probably have to replace the sensor.

 

I know somebody is gonna say I'm sounding like a broken record, but it wouldn't hurt to clean the throttle body, I'm sure it needs it anyway and it's been known to remedy stalling issues. But it DOES really sound like TPS...

 

Funny, I seem to hear a broken record

My only issue is it's a balmy -15F right now. Rumor has it we'll actually reach near 0F, but we haven't seen anything close to that in weeks so I'll believe it when I see it. I really need to insulate my garage.

 

Nice....Get yer shorts & t-shirts ready!

 

ya I had the same problem, started up and then would just shut off unless you gave it some throttle. cleaned the air box and messed with the throttle position sensor and that seemed to help. raised the idle from 400 to about 700 and runs fine now. if your TPS is completly shot your gonna need a new one. cheapest one I found was on moparpartsamerica.net

 

So the truck idled tonight. At about 1900 RPM. Wouldn't go any lower than that. Haven't touched anything yet. Forcast says we'll actually be at about 10F this weekend. Almost beach weather. So this weekend will be TB cleaning and if that doesn't work TPS replacement. So far I've found the dealer to be the cheapest at $100.

 

try the site i gave you! it retails for like $80 but they sell it for $56 or somethin. ill check right now to be exact about the price and source

 

ok. sorry about the site, it was the wrong one. it MOPARUSA.NET

i ran the search for you but theres no link to send you. go there, type in your year, make and model, then you'll see a search towards the bottom of the page and type in "throttle position sensor" you'll see it for the 4.7, 2003 ram 1500.
it retails for $79.60 and their price is $64.46

 

Thanks mmstar23. I emailed them to see what shipping would be to the frozen north.