hello all. new to the forum and thought you may be able to help me out. I have an 03 Ram 1500 with a 4.7 that has 100k mile on her. it has been hard to start lately. cranks for a couple of seconds before starting. the other day the check engine light came on, code is a p0302. i change the spark plugs thinking that may be the cause, still doing the same thing. when the truck is running, it runs great. if anybody has any ideas, i would appreciate it.
Thanks
Steve

 

P0302 is a cylindar #2 misfire. Cylindar 2 is the passenger side front. Whens the last time you changed the plug wires? Try swapping the wires from cylindar 2 to cylindar 1 (drivers side front). Make sure you swap at the distributor so you arent getting crossed firing.

If the problem moves to Cylindar 1 (P0301 code) you know you need to change your plug wires. If it stays at cylindar 2, replace the coil at cylindar 2.

 

AF Hemi, my model has the coils right over the plugs. can i just switch the whole coil assembly? thanks for the advise
Steve

 

Swapping the coils will diagnose it as long as you have full confidence in the plugs. If it stays with the #2 cylinder, I'd guess the coil wiring harness. Seems unlikely it's that, though.

 

Yep. Swap the coil. If the problem moves its the coil. If it doesn't its the wire.

 

AF_hemi, Good advice.....

 

Ok so over the long week end my check engine light went out. I swapped the coil assembly between #1 and #2 cylinders anyways. So if the light comes back on I can determine if it is a faulty coil/wire assembly. I also took off the idle air control valve and cleaned it out. now occasionally the truck will stall, no check engine lights. I called to get a fuel filter, Thought that may help. Guy at the shop said it is non servicable. Since when did they stop putting fuel filters in vehicles? anybody know what fuel pressure is supposed to be on my 03 Ram 1500 4.7 ?
Thanks again
Steve

 

They didn't stop putting fuel filters in. That's not what he said. He said it's non-serviceable. That's pretty much correct. The fuel filter is in the tank, along with the pump.

Not sure about the fuel pressure. I'd guess 50-65 psi.