Ancient thread resurrection!!!

So, you DID put a new throttle body in it? Or put it in, and then took it out? Your post is slightly confusing.

 

 

 

 

I have a 2003 RAM with the 5.7 170k miles and developed the ETC fault. Would die while driving and have to be reset by turning the truck off and on. No codes. As in none. Turned out to be a vacuum leak, the intake manifold gaskets had deteriorated and were no longer sealing effectively.

 

I have a 2008 Ram with 5.7L. It started dying instantly, giving the ETC (lightening bolt) with no codes. It would happen when turning left, and maybe hitting a bump while doing so. It finally threw a P0122, P1128 & P1129. I read all the threads pertaining to those, looking at the wiring harness going to the TPS and found nothing. Finally bit the bullet and installed a new throttle body, and it seemed to be fixed, however, after sitting overnight I had all sorts of problems starting it the next morning. The truck would die and the ETC light would come on; it would take a long crank, then start, and it would go into the limp mode. Finally called in a mechanic buddy with a Snap-On computer, and he reset the PCM and had it relearn the APPS/TPS. Worked okay until I hit a pothole, then it died with the ETC lamp coming on and no codes. More reading started me thinking the Crankshaft or Camshaft Position Sensor. I crawled under to unhook the connectors and saw that the plastic wire loom tubing had disintegrated, exposing the wires going to the Crankshaft Position Sensor and Knock Sensor #2 (it runs between the oil filter and the engine block). Inspecting those wires I found the insulation had broken exposing the bare wires (maybe while the oil filter was being removed/installed(??). Disconnected the Crankshaft and Knock Sensors to repair the wire with tape and install new plastic wire looms on that cable. All the plastic wire looms on this truck are brittle and are disintegrating, so I guess I will begin replacing all of those in the next little while. Anyway, long story short, it seems to have it repaired (for the time being anyway!!!).

 

I was looking for help and came across this forum. My 2003 2500 5.7 ST had multiple error codes and they were pointing to a bad O2 sensor. Pulling a trailer well under what I pulled in the past, the truck went into limp mode. Recently replaced catalytic converter and Y pipe recently. Service technician came out and said that I had a Y pipe with only two oxygen sensors but the 5.7 Hemi was supposed to have four and the error codes were pointing to an oxygen sensor that was not in the y-pipe. They thought at first that my mechanic had replaced a four sensor Y pipe with a 2 sensor Y pipe and had cut two wires. But if he had done that I would have had error lights flashing as soon as I tried to drive away from my mechanic. The service technician did some more digging and determined that Dodge actually tuned my 5.7 to run with a Y pipe with only two oxygen sensors. The 2002 2500 truck had a 5.9 Hemi with a Y pipe with two oxygen sensors. They determined that Dodge wanted to use up some parts and basically made a frankentruck, their term. It appears that the PCM still has some the software in it that is trying to recognize 4 sensors even though Dodge tuned it to run with only two. Just wanted to share this in case anybody else hasn't early 2003 Dodge Ram 2500 with the 5.7 L engine. This may also be an issue with 2002 and early 2003 1500 Rams with a 5.7 engine

 

2002 2500 and 3500 trucks were still second gen bodystyle/driveline etc. There was likely some carryover in the 03 model year, and the 5.9 engine went away. (not a hemi, it was the magnum motor.)

 

Yeah, that is what they figured as my gen 3 build was a early 2003 with the 5.7 Hemi. Just really messes with service when they have not seen your type of set up before. They originally thought my mechanic reprogrammed the PCM and their first inclination to fix it was new 4 sensor y pipe, wiring harness and PCM. More than the truck is worth. But awesome service people, they kept digging to find right answer. Two O2 sensors later, truck pulls trailer in the mountains with no problem.

 

I have dug into this matter and on my ram hemi I have replaced the throttle body with a used one and it worked for a little while ( 2 month's) then the light came back and started the erratic throttle problems and lower power problems again. I just didn't want to accept that the tps just went bad. So, I removed the throttle body and I cut the band sealing the cover of the tps with a dremel cutting wheel and removed the cover. What did I find? I found a little bit of rust particles in there . If you know electronics you know that metal chips and electronics don't get along. So I cleaned it out. (Using electronic safe cleaner and air). Then I put it all back together including the band I cut securing it with a heavy duty zip tie. Reinstalled the throttle body and resetting all codes. Then I performed the throttle relearn procedure and. Walla, I have no codes, perfect start ups and all my power back. This may be your issue or not . I always reccomend not doing this unless you are confident in your mechanic skills. Otherwise take it to a certified mechanic.