Dealership Unable to Resolve Problem
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Registered User
Joined: May 2010
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I hope I'm not speaking...err...typing too soon, but I changed the EGR valve and the problem appears to be gone. I went for a brief test drive and it seems to be okay now. I almost feel like it's my imagination. Thank you to everyone that offered advice!
Darrell
Darrell
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Joined: Apr 2010
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From: alberta canada
My '04 Ram with 5.7 Hemi has been running like crap. I'm not getting codes. I thoroughly cleaned the TB, changed the plugs, and changed the air filter. Nothing helped so I took it to the dealership.
They say they checked for an exhaust blockage at the catalytic converter, added updates to the computer, checked for vacuum leaks, etc. They could not figure out what is wrong and charged me $85 for a diagnosis that they couldn't provide.
I need some ideas as to what is going on.
The gas mileage sucks! Acceleration is slow. It has stalled on me 2 or 3 times when coming to a quick stop. Idle RPM is between 500-650. PCV is not stuck open or closed.
How can I tell if the throttle position sensor is bad? I don't want to buy a whole new TB if the sensor is not bad.
Can this be caused by the EGR valve? I replaced it before, maybe 50k miles ago. I got a code back then and I'm getting nothing now.
I've got a Actron Code Scanner Plus and everything checks out except one thing. Test $10 shows a low reading. I don't know what this $10 test is. It says minimum reading should be like 24 but it is only reading 9. I cannot even connect my scanner to my PC with the USB cable that came with it. The software doesn't even give the option to connect with USB ports and I downloaded the most current version. The only option is COM ports. Does anybody know what Test $10 is?
I researched on here and someone said to check the Thermostat and Coolant Temp Sensor. I don't know what this is supposed to do. The temperature reading seems to be normal and I haven't ever overheated.
Any ideas? I would greatly appreciate any help. Thanks!
Darrell
They say they checked for an exhaust blockage at the catalytic converter, added updates to the computer, checked for vacuum leaks, etc. They could not figure out what is wrong and charged me $85 for a diagnosis that they couldn't provide.
I need some ideas as to what is going on.
The gas mileage sucks! Acceleration is slow. It has stalled on me 2 or 3 times when coming to a quick stop. Idle RPM is between 500-650. PCV is not stuck open or closed.
How can I tell if the throttle position sensor is bad? I don't want to buy a whole new TB if the sensor is not bad.
Can this be caused by the EGR valve? I replaced it before, maybe 50k miles ago. I got a code back then and I'm getting nothing now.
I've got a Actron Code Scanner Plus and everything checks out except one thing. Test $10 shows a low reading. I don't know what this $10 test is. It says minimum reading should be like 24 but it is only reading 9. I cannot even connect my scanner to my PC with the USB cable that came with it. The software doesn't even give the option to connect with USB ports and I downloaded the most current version. The only option is COM ports. Does anybody know what Test $10 is?
I researched on here and someone said to check the Thermostat and Coolant Temp Sensor. I don't know what this is supposed to do. The temperature reading seems to be normal and I haven't ever overheated.
Any ideas? I would greatly appreciate any help. Thanks!
Darrell
Professional
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 226
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From: alberta canada
well dam my the thing that gets me is i payed 5,000 for an extended waranty and the will not touch anything without an error code well darrel im gonna replace me egr this might be my clue but when i first cleaned it it seemed to run a little smoother for 1 day so i guess im gonna have to fork out 115 canadian for a new egr..i hope it works....
Captain
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 574
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From: Southern, Alberta
Ya its hard to get good help these days. Side note, my Map would throw CEL code, I'd cleaned it and it was good for a bit but when light came back I replaced it. The EGR can be cleaned but you should replace it. After reading all the EGR posts I may change it for good measure. Surprising that an 07 would need a new one but read a comment by Hammer that these things go ****-up around 40K. I am also a firm beleiver that Factory installed plug wires are **** after 2-3 years so perhaps a new set of those would give you a fresh lunge and smoother idle (just a thought).
Thread Starter
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Registered User
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well dam my the thing that gets me is i payed 5,000 for an extended waranty and the will not touch anything without an error code well darrel im gonna replace me egr this might be my clue but when i first cleaned it it seemed to run a little smoother for 1 day so i guess im gonna have to fork out 115 canadian for a new egr..i hope it works....
I hope the new EGR valve does the trick for you. I thought mine could have been the EGR, but I wasn't convinced because last time I got a CEL/MIL. No light this time around. I guess those aftermarket sensors aren't up to par. Replace your EGR and keep us updated!
Darrell
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 142
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From: Massachusetts
+1 Clean the TB.
Professional
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 226
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From: alberta canada
I hope the new EGR valve does the trick for you. I thought mine could have been the EGR, but I wasn't convinced because last time I got a CEL/MIL. No light this time around. I guess those aftermarket sensors aren't up to par. Replace your EGR and keep us updated!
Darrell
Darrell
i noticed right away how much more smooother the engine ran i used a 1/8th of a tank driving it punching it and didnt get that stutter which i was comming into when i used say 75%-100% throttle.... sad thing is i did have a waranty still on my drivetrain but i would have to had flames shooting from under the hood for them to help me thx for the info )
Record Breaker
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,158
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From: Edmonton Ab Canada
Ya its hard to get good help these days. Side note, my Map would throw CEL code, I'd cleaned it and it was good for a bit but when light came back I replaced it. The EGR can be cleaned but you should replace it. After reading all the EGR posts I may change it for good measure. Surprising that an 07 would need a new one but read a comment by Hammer that these things go ****-up around 40K. I am also a firm beleiver that Factory installed plug wires are **** after 2-3 years so perhaps a new set of those would give you a fresh lunge and smoother idle (just a thought).
Record Breaker
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,854
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From: Oceanside, CA
yeah, i think 03s and 2500s both dont have EGRs
Captain
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 574
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From: Southern, Alberta
Yeh thats what I thought at first read and then searched the egr threads and found a pic that convinced me it was possible (think it was an 04 or 05 in the thread I seen) so thats when I added my 2 cents but with the 03's you may be right I will for sure look under the hood tommorrow to confirm but if its there I will change it. And will post the answer on the 2003 Rams-The Forgotten Club #3, you should join up hemiguy, all 03's welcome.