Im new to the forum.and just seeking a little help.so please dont get mad if i posted in the wrong spot.


2002 Dodge Ram 1500 sport with a V8 Hemi...

The check engine light comes on..Then the truck starts accelerating itself lightly as if i were to tap on the gas.
or when in park and idling it does the same like someone were to be tapping on the gas but goes dead if i dont keep my foot on the gas peddle...
and when im going down the highway and i take my foot off the gas peddle.its as if i were to be down shifting in a manual transmission car...

then the check engine light will go off and it will be just fine for a few days...
then it does it again.
but ive noticed that this only happens when the Check engine light comes on...

im trying to avoid taking it to the dealer and hoping maybe someone knows what this might be and i can fix it myself.

 

Go to vatozone and have them scan the codes and that might give you a little to go off of possibly.

 

If possible..Im hoping someone that knows what the problem may be reads this and replies telling me what it is.

 

Yup, go to Auto Zone or another chain type auto parts store, most will pull the code for free. My guess is it's going to be the throttle position sensor. A relatively cheap ($40-50) part that you can replace in about 10 mins. About as hard as replacing an O2 sensor...

 

Yea bring it to Auto Zone and let them read the codes. Even if the check engine light is not on your computer should have stored them so they should still be on there.

 

Like others have said you need to know the code before you can go further,it may or may not have anything to do with the issue but you need to know the code set.

In 02 there wasnt a Hemi yet so are you sure of your engine size? Just a question to make sure,dont get offended please.

Gummed up throttle bodies are a culprit for sticking or funny acting throttle responces,have you had yours cleaned lately or at all?? If not that could be a problem and making the throttle position sensor not work to its fullest like mentioned before.

 

yeah im sure its a Hemi.
it says hemi on the front fenders tailgate and on top of the motor...

but the information others and you have given sounds pretty good to me.

im new to owning a Dodge....i had no idea about all this computer stuff in the truck.like codes and watnot.

 

do you happen to have a picture of under the hood?

again I just want to make sure you have what you say you have because the hemis werent out until 2003. Your truck could be a truck made in september or later in 02 but is considered an 03.......just in case you didnt know.

A quick referrence would be spark plug wires.......HEMIS have them and 4.7s dont,and also a 5.9 was available in 02 and it has plug wires but couldnt be disguised as a hemi under the hood.

again trying to help,but still get your codes read to see what they are.

 

ill take a picture in the morning and post it if thats okay.



but maybe that is the case ? it being a late 2002 model ? giving it a hemi...
or maybe because its a sport edition ? not sure....but ill get you a picture.