I have a 2004, dodge ram 4.7 V8. My issue is when I start my truck and I’ll begin to take off my truck runs fine but once I get up to 2500 RPMs, my truck doesn’t go past that and kind of just stays stuttering at 2500 RPM. If I drive slowly and stay under 2500 RPM my truck shifts fine drives fine, but I’m having to drive slowly, the code coming up for my truck is a 0016. I have already changed my crankshaft position sensor, camshaft position sensor, map sensor, as well as the vacuum sensor on top of my K&N air filter. All these were recommended to change out. I reset my battery and started my truck back up and instantly check engine pops back on pulling up the code 0016 even after changing out the parts. I took it to a mechanic and told him all the sensors I changed out. He was stumped as well. Because the code coming up is the parts I already changed. So back to the problem. My truck ran great before this. I just don’t know what’s wrong now.

 

Did you have the K&N filter on before the code/issue started to happen?

 

The ecu is limiting rpm because its determining that there are camshaft/crankshaft sync issues. Could be corrosion in the wiring connectors, broken/corroded wires, bad sensor, worn timing chain, damaged camshaft signal wheel, bad sensor, faulty computer etc. Rather than reloading the parts cannon, I'd start with the output of the sensor at the sensor connector. If that looks good, see if that same output is making it to the computer connector.

Now it takes a scope to look at that output signal, and most electrical system diagnostic able mechanics are going to be able to track this down. Those without electrical basics knowledge and the related diagnostic tools are going to just start replacing parts with the hope that the problem goes away. Unless you have a few hundred for tools investment and some time to learn electrical basics, best to find a good electrical diagnostic mechanic. Electrical diagnostics is getting more popular, but still many garages do not have that knowledge/equipment. Even many dealerships often lack diagnostic capable techs.

I'm always interested in tools that enable me to DIY, and this year I noticed that the scopes have really dropped into great price ranges. So I invested in a picoscope brand 2 channel scope that basically turns my laptop into a oscilloscope. Hantek has a cheaper alternative. I liked the picoscope software better, or I would have gone with Hantek.

 

Possible plugged cat?

 

That wouldn't throw the code he has.

 

Either a bad replacement sensor, or the wiring to the cam position sensor has issues, or the pcm is having issue, or a combination of all the above. The older trucks were also notorious for not liking aftermarket sensors, and you would get all sorts of mystery behavior. The cheaper the part you bought, the more likely you were to have those mystery issues. For critical sensors, it is ALWAYS best to go with genuine mopar parts. Yes, you pay more for them, but, they actually put out the signals the PCM understands, and is expecting..... You may have had a failed sensor, but, since you replaced it with one of the inexpensive off-brands... the PCM still doesn't like it, and won't play nice with it.