I have a 97 Dodge truck, 2500, 2 wheel drive, 5.9 litre, 104k miles. It has a rough idle but everything else seems fine. The check engine light has been on and it reads code 43. "Peak primary circuit current not achieved with the maximum dwell time"</P>


Before I learned of the code I tried to cure the idle problem, I changed plugs, plug wires, distributor cap and rotor, filter. Had the injectors cleaned (on the truck) also. It still has a rough idle. </P>


Can anyone help out this newbie to these forums with possible solutions and things to check and how to check them without the computer analyzing equipment. TIA</P><edited><editID>wshrdskin</editID><editDate>37938.8883680556</editDate></edited>

 

I was realy hoping for a response with possible solutions. </P>


Other things I've done so far to fix the idle problem.</P>


I've checked all the vacum lines I could find. I found 1 at the connection to the throttle body and one at a connection to a component under the battery holder. Both had cracks etc and I repaired both.</P>


I've done a compression check. I removed all the plugs, removed the fuel pump fuse and coil wire. I checked all the cylinders 1 at a time giving it six pulses each on the guage, the book says at least 4. The lowest cylinder was 131 and the highest was 149.</P>


I've checked the IAC (idle air controller) for voltage. The way I understand it is to check the purple and white wire with the positive lead and the negative lead to ground for 12volts. Also the brown and white wire with the positive lead and the negative lead to ground for 12v, is that correct? Or was I suppose to check the purple and white and the brown and white for 12v between the two? I have 12v from the purple and white to ground but not from the brown and white to ground. I have 12v between the 2.</P>


Someone has to have experience with this situation. Please reply with some causes and things for me to check. TIA</P>


David</P><edited><editID>wshrdskin</editID><editDate>37938.7917939815</editDate></edited>

 

I guess nobody knows or somthing. <IMG src=smileys/smiley6.gif border="0"></P>


Incase some one does read this with answers. I rechecked the things I've done so far incase I missed somthing. The IAC this time around does not have 12v from the purple/white wire and the brown/white wire. I have at least figured I was suppose to check for 12v between those 2 wires. I guess it has intermitten power as it had 12v the first time I checked it. I removed the IAC and turned the key on and the spintle does not move, but that's probably due to not having 12v. According to the book, the schematic shows all 4 wires going to the PCM with no stops in between. I can check the purple/white wire with the + lead and put the - lead on ground and get 12v but not if I use the brown/white wire for ground. I ohmed the brown/white wire from the IAC connector to the PCM connector and there is contnuity. My guess is the ground is bad in thePCM unit.</P>


I guess my next step would be to buy a new PCM. Sure wish I knew for sure before dishing out that much spendolies.</P>


If the IAC doesn't return to ground wouldn't the PCM throw a check engine light?</P>


</P><edited><editID>wshrdskin</editID><editDate>37939.8345717593</editDate></edited>

 

ok no mechanic but it sounds like it has somethin to do with your computer or brain box...sounds like you may need to take into your dealership and have them look into it...hopefully they have free inspections!

 

Thaty'll be the next step I guess. No, it won't be free. I'll take it to Dodge one day and let them go through it. I understand that they have to do some programing or somthing to a new PCM unit (computer) anyway if that turns out to be the case. I was hoping I'd be able to get some answers here to save some money but it's not looking good. I was able to tear down my quadto the last nut from the motor and put it back together with help from a forum similar to this, guess I'm not going to be as lucky here. Thanks for your response.</P>


David</P>

 

One last gasp.</P>


Sometimes when I pull up to a stop light and have to wait the truck seems to idle beautifuly. The longer I have to wait it gradualy goes back to its rough idle.</P>


I grounded the IAC direct and it doesn't seem to work any better. If I ever figure out whats causing this I'll post the results incase someone else ever has this problem. I did find one other post here similar to what is wrong with my truck and their fix was a new PCM.</P>

 

I was wondering if you ever found your problem? I have a 96 1500 Ram with a 318 and I'm getting that code now. I've done everything you done except check the IAC voltage. Do you have a strong smell like the catalytic converter is really heating up? I took the truck to AutoZone and had them use their meter on it and what they got was I was misfiring on 5 of my 8 cylinders. It idles fine but when I get around 50 mph the truck will start shaking bad, I turn the overdrive off and it quicks shaking then I can turn the overdrive back on when I reach 65 mph with no problems. If you have any comments I sure would like to know. Thanks

 

Sorry, I have not found the reason for this, officialy. In another thread I had posts about what the Dodge dealer told me was wrong with the truck. Cylinders 1,3,5 I beleive they said were misfiring. They said I had cracks between the valves. Well, they wanted $2800 to fix it. I laughed at them. Anyway, through the course of all this, I had repaired a few vacum leaks and replaced the IAC. After about 200 miles of driving, the truck has mysteriously gone back to normal with a good even idle all the time and no check engine light for somtime now. I'm thinking the lack of vacum was causeing the problems I was having. So far so good, hope it stays that way.</P>


David</P>

 

Hello,

My code 43 problem continues, car runs rough when accelerating (bucking slightly) , does run pretty smooth above 45 mph. With the number of hits this thread gets, it seems code 43 is a troublesome issue for Dodge.

Is your car still running well? Do I need to reset the PCM with a scan tool, or can I just disconnect the battery for 10 minutes?

I have replaced ther plugs(which needed it) . Any suggestions before I make the trip to the wonderful wizard of Dodge? (there's no place like home)

Thanks.

 

I bought a 97 ram with the 360, it had the check engine light on when i bought it and the dealership said they'd fix it, not sure what code was there, but i now know that the truck idles better, and that it was a fuel system issue with some solenoid and wiring harness needing replacement and that it was a known Dodge service notice. Ask the dealer, or service guy.