2002 Ram Van 3.9L - 0443 0132 0138
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From: Clayton MI
Yeah, I'm chasing a P0443, purge valve solenoid, so I unplugged the solenoid and plugged the vacuum just to see if there was any difference in fuel pressure, thing is the way the PSIs on the pressure jump around and the control wire on the purge valve solenoid flicker like a strobe I just want to take the solenoid out of the equation. Now I'm wondering if the ECU would send strobing like power to the purge vale solenoid based on the strobing PSI readings. I'm using the term strobing because the on the pressure gauge you can't actually see the needle move it's moving so fast, it's just a grey blur between 40 - 50 psi.
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Yeah, thing is, the van starts sputtering and stalling while driving after warmed up, I'm getting an 0443 and O2 sensor codes but I'm thinking if the fuel pump is supposed to deliver constant psi them it is bad because of the fluctuations while running, the codes might just be a by-product of that.
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Yeah man !!, okay, I unplugged the the front O2 sensor, warmed it up and gave it a good test drive, about 30 minutes of stop and go, no sputtering, no stalling. I also have the purge valve solenoid unplugged and have the vacuum off the solenoid to the intake plugged (intake side). I'll put the fuel pressure gauge back on it later and give it a look but it seems to be running about normal. It is only producing the one 0132 code, the unplugged sensor. Much appreciated, this has been driving me nuts! It's a new sensor, do you think I got a dud?
Last edited by RamVan2002; Jun 22, 2023 at 10:50 AM.
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I haven't had a chance to dig back in on this, a bit too hot out for me. I did want to drop in and say thanks, I think you got me on the right track and I will report back when I get the issue fixed, with remedy. I do have a slight suspicion that my ECU guy may not have programmed this for my van as all of these codes were non-existent prior to replacement, it was just producing the standard 03## cylinder miss codes on occasion which I consider a feature of this engine. 
Thanks again!
Thanks again!
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Joined: Apr 2010
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From: Clayton MI
I haven't had a chance to dig back in on this, a bit too hot out for me. I did want to drop in and say thanks, I think you got me on the right track and I will report back when I get the issue fixed, with remedy. I do have a slight suspicion that my ECU guy may not have programmed this for my van as all of these codes were non-existent prior to replacement, it was just producing the standard 03## cylinder miss codes on occasion which I consider a feature of this engine.
Thanks again!
Thanks again!
Mainly because it's true....... One of the reasons for looking for the V-10 when I went truck shopping. No distributor.
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From: Clayton MI
Yeah that, on that 3.9l I read a very detailed article on that engine and the guy was saying it's a 318 with 2 cylinders chopped off but because of some balance bugaboo they are destined to misfire so I pretty much ignore that code. I'd settle for a 318 with points and plugs, just dreaming.
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Yeah, that's the goto for the Dajiban racing crowd.
https://www.roadandtrack.com/car-cul...acing-dajiban/
Too funny but I just use mine for putt-putt, home depot trips and such. But must admit, I'm slightly tempted.
https://www.roadandtrack.com/car-cul...acing-dajiban/
Too funny but I just use mine for putt-putt, home depot trips and such. But must admit, I'm slightly tempted.