Hello, after all the cleaning and the replacement of the PCV valve the truck runs better but the idle still drops sometimes, I was curious what does your volt meter reads on your dash, mine is about 3/4, is it supposed to be HIGH? I also heard the belt at the alternator click the other day when it was idling is that normal? If someone can tell me what there volt gauge says in there dash that would be great thanks.

 

I cant beleive it!! I think the thermostat was causing all the issues. It must have been sending all the sensors for a loop because after I drove the truck for a while (after i changed the busted thermostat) all the gauges went to normal and the truck ran great. I think the computer had to "relearn" how to be normal. It ran great yesterday i will see how it runs when it is not completely warmed up. Anyway just wanted to tell you since you helped me out and if you know someone else that has no codes and the truck runs like crap tell them to check the thermostat!! thanks Thanks for all the suggestions and help, and the reaon I didnt pick up on this is because the temperture gauage was a little above normal but since I never owned a truck like this I thought that was normal for the temp gauge Anyway thanks to all if anyone sees this.

 

interesting.........

 

I'm just starting to diagnosis what sounds like the same problem. I have a 93 Dakota 5.2 that runs fine at high speeds, but idles so rough when I stop that the motor cuts off. It just started this, but it's not consistent. Other times it runs fine. Sound like the same problem? I'm suspecting the EGR valve. I've got no check engine light, but I haven't checked for codes yet (I don't have the truck with me right now). Thanks for any feedback.

 

Yea it sounds close to it. Is your temperture gauge normal? The first thing they replaced on my truck was the egr valve. I would deff look into that first, if your temp gauge is halfway or above its the thermostat. If the truck takes awhile to warm up its the thermostat. If the EGR valve does not fix the problem i would see if your truck has a throttle postion sensor and or Idle control valve. My 5.7L v8 does not have either the TPS or the IAC. Mine is drive by wire and the idle sensor is actually inside the throttle body. Deff try the code trick, because as these guys said it may throw a code but no Check engine light. I also wanted to know how long has it been since you replaced the spark plugs and wires? I would check into that as well, I took one of mine out and they werent in that bad a shape but I am replacing mine when I get some extra cash. Get back to me when you can get to your truck.

 

Thanks. I'll try some of these things this weekend, especially the code, and I'll try the carb cleaner to look for vacuum leaks. You mentioned the thermostat. I noticed when I got the truck a couple of months ago that it was running a little on the hot side ( a little beyond the halfway mark on the heat gauge), so I replaced the antifreeze and the thermostat. Still runs around the middle or a little beyond. The truck doesn't throw out a lot of heat though. I replaced the plugs a couple of weeks ago, but not the wires. The old plugs didn't look bad. If I find nothing I'll bite the bullet and try an EGR valve. With 186,000 miles, it could probably be getting stuck open.

 

OK well try the codes and I also put a new PCV valve in mine, I did it when i took the throttle body off and cleaned everywhere I could reach, mine was pretty dirty and I also took off the tube or pipe going from the throttle body to the EGR valve and cleaned that one too, but your truck may be set up different not sure. I would deff check the EGR valve with that milage because who knows it may never have been replaced, get back to me whe you check it out.

 

How has your truck been running since you replaced the thermostat???

Here's my problem-My truck runs rough at idle. Once in a blue moon it stalls while at a light.

I have a 2005 Ram with 4.7L engine with 32,000 miles. I know I don't drive it that much.

At about 8,000 miles ago it threw a code for the camshaft positioning sensor and it was replaced. But it still ran ran rough while idling.

So the other day I changed the sparkplugs, cleaned out the TB, changed the TPS, changed the PCV, air filter, cleaned mass air filter, new radiator cap, new fuel cap and put another new camshaft positioning sensor. When I took out the old TPS there was new gasket or O'ring so I was hoping that was the problem but,

NOTHING WORKED

I was reading your recent post and I got to thinking I'll check my radiator hoses. drove it around 10 minutes with the AC on. My temp guage was reading 1/2 mark and the engine fan was turned on also. Turned it off and checked the hoses. The top one is red hot and the bottom one not even hot. So I'm thinking my thermostat is shut! The bottom hose looks like it's bulged or maybe that is how it's made but they are getting replaced.

So Monday I'm going to change the hoses and the thermostat...

How is your truck now??

 

Sorry about the late reply. My truck runs good since all the work I did. I just put new plugs (YES ALL 16 AND NEW WIRES!) so after that was all done the truck gets better gas mileage and it has not stalled since the new thermostat. However once in a while I will watch the idle and it jumps around sometimes when I put it into gear or when I come to a stop, it has not stalled but I do not think its 100% fixed but it runs 90% better after I changed the thermostat. The thermostat was deff broken. I put in a 180 stat not an oem 200 or 210 whatever it is. maybe the 180 stat helped the rough idle, I am not sure if it would be different if I put in the 200 or 210 degree stat. All my hoses seem fine, I am going to get the trans filter and oil changed really soon because when I looked at the pan the one side looks like its leaking or has leaked I do have full trans fluid though. Anyway sorry for the long post if you say your hose looks bulged you may have a block, I am doing a flush flush in the next couple of weeks you should do the same. Get back to me after you change the thermostat.

 

I finally got a chance to work on my 93 Dakota. The problem of rough idling started out of the blue, and later worked OK, but I didn't drive it much that day after I had the problem, and I haven't used it in the last couple of weeks. This weekend I pulled the EGR valve and cleaned the inside with solvent. It didn't look too bad. The vacuum diaphragm was working OK and not leaking down. I put it back in, reconnected the hoses, and drove it several times locally and on the highway, and had no idling problems. One thing --- when I disconnected the hoses to remove the EGR valve, the bottom hose (not the one that operates the diaphragm) wasn't connected, but I don't know if I did that when I was taking out the two bolts to remove it or not. So it seems to idle fine now. I hope it's permanent.