Questions and Answers
Dodge Codes 12, 22, And 43
Q. 1997 Dodge 5.2, 84,000 miles, MFI. Last summer I installed a MSD 6A ignition box, 8.5mm wires, Champion Platinum plugs, K&N air filter, Was running fine until my latest change. Changed stock 195° degree thermostat to a 180°
Changed Champion platinums to Champion Truck plugs (thought I would try to gain some mileage experimenting with different plugs).
Started truck with air filter "box" not installed, sprayed some Air Intake Cleaner down its throat to clean up some gunk, ran engine until up to temperature then I got a Check Engine light.
Installed air box, and started truck again. Still have light, and truck has BAD initial hesitation from a "zero" pedal (i.e. stop light) Burning gas like mad.
Engine codes from check engine light are: 12- (from disconnecting battery), 43- misfire (??) cylinder, and 22- Low Coolant input signal I don't know what the OBD-II codes are but these are what the flashing check engine codes gives me. (Chilton Repair Manual)
First thing I put back was the Platinum plugs. It ran fine with them before this. Nope, didn't make a difference now. Check Engine light won't reset.
I know that the fuel "curve" is lost when I disconnected battery. I have tried different things to reset it.
- Disconnected (more than five minutes)/ Reconnected battery-Drove truck 13 miles into town, both steady throttle and varying throttle. (On my way to work)
- Disconnected and reconnected battery, let truck idle for 5-10 minutes, drove it 13 miles home, steady throttle cruise set 65 mph.
- Drove truck another day into town, around town, and back from work next day.
- With engine up to temperature, shut off engine, disconnected battery for 15 min, reconnected, started engine, set park brake, chocked truck and placed in "Drive", let idle for 30 minutes.
Still hesitating, still running rich, engine almost dies after "revving it up", strong exhaust odor, no smoke, idles smooth.
I have read about in message forums of many, many people installing 180° degree thermostats and no one seem to have encountered this issue.
Maybe I finally killed an O2 sensor? I don't seem to have a "code" to indicate that however. I am left with checking temperature sensor connections at water outlet housing and (even though it doesn't make any sense) coil connections for the misfire code. I did disconnect wires 2-8 at plugs and coil wire and reinstalled them in correct order (numbered), same with wires 1-7.
I'm lost... Any thoughts??????
Any input is greatly appreciated!!!
Sincerely,
GaryA. Here is a case where the OBD-II codes are more accurate than MIL codes. Code 12 is, indeed, a battery disconnect. Code 22 is either Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) voltage too low or too high. P0117 would indicate a low ECT and code P0118 would indicate a high ECT. Code 43 could indicate a misfire in one cylinder or misfires in multiple cylinders. Here again the OBD-II codes would be more specific.
Personally, I think the ECT is sending a wrong signal to the PCM. I would check the connectors and harness and make sure they are okay. Since this started when you replaced the thermostat, you may have accidentally unplugged something. If you are absolutely sure the connectors and wiring is okay, then replace the ECT.
Once you have this repaired, I believe the code 43 will go away also.
Additional Information provided courtesy of ALLDATA
