I have a 5.2L (318cid) in my Dodge Ram Van, a B2500 series.

I've had a few codes come up; P0455 & P1494. The Ram was taken into a very good shop to "smoke" out the emission control system for leaks. Nothing showed up. All emission control parts are in working order. They scanned the vehicle with a higher level scan unit. The coil was bad. So, after replacing the coil, the vehicle ran very well for two weeks before this higher idle surge and surging while driving showed up.

After a little time searching this out on the internet, I've noticed some comments made by others with the 5.2L and 3.9L. This thread raised an eyebrow about the coil and a clogged cat. A clogged cat can mess up the engine valves too. The vehicle isn't going through oil either.

The surging feels like it wants to push more power, but can't. If it's a clogged cat, do I take the route as others have said, by getting a two foot length of rebar and using my drill to clean it out? [sm=shootshoot.gif]

I'm not certain if the vehicle has a clogged cat or if something else is the real issue. Maybe a IAC could be the issue?

I ran a half bottle of Seafoam into the TB air intake. The exhaust blew out black smoke and fine white particles like sand. :roll:

OK enough of my rambling. [sm=hiya.gif] I'll let the guru's here with the answer to give input. [sm=gears.gif]

 

S-O-L-V-E-D

After work today, I got home, took the dog-house off and pulled out the Haynes repair manual.

I followed the repair book by looking at things called TPS, MPFI, ISC (which after 10 mins, my van doesn't have one), MAP and the IAC.

After 2-1/2 hours the problem is G-O-N-E.

What was it? It was the thing called an IAC.

In the Haynes repair manual on page 4B-16, section 37 notes, it talks about letting the engine run while un-connecting the wire and connector and then re-connecting it. Once I did that, the engine leveled out and has been purring with an nice idle since.

This IAC (Idle Air Control) talks with the PCM computer. My guess is that I reset something or the connector wasn't doing it's job some how. Maybe the little valve inside the IAC got stuck or something. Who knows. BUT, the van runs nicely now.

I didn't have to buy any parts from the dealer or the auto store either.

The hardest part was getting the dog-house off and then on again. [>:] lol

 

That sounds just like what's happening to my 89 conversion van. I have had her in and out of the shop with various fuel pump issues. I replaced the pump and I think the coil? and when it still wouldn't start my mechanic said it was an electrical problem and something on the fuel pump had to be replaced again because it burned out. Now it starts fine but i was told it was running rich and blacking out spark plugs. It surges and occassionally stalls... Any ideas?
Thanks,
Riddie

 

Which engine?
FI or carb?

 

Its a V8 5.2L Carb
Any ideas are appreciated. Thanks...