Questions and Answers

Dodge Ram 1500 DTCs And Popping Q. Hello Vincent! I'm the proud owner of a 1997 Dodge Ram 1500 4x4. I have a problem in #1 cylinder apparently. The truck is A4, Has a K&N Filter on top and has 132,000 kilometers. I've installed a high energy Accel coil along with 8mm wires and run Champion 4071 truck plugs. The truck intermittently loses power, backfires two to three times, sounds like popcorn going off, then power comes back.

Check Engine Light comes on. I took it to a mechanic who checked the plugs, all burning uniform light brown colour, wires for spark, strong in all, compression, 160 psi on #1, 180 psi on the others. They don't know what it is and all I'm doing is forking out cash to be told they don't know. Could it be the O2 sensor? Given the age of the engine it might be due for replacement?

I disconnected the battery to reboot the computer and for two days the Check Engine Light stayed off, then went back on without anything happening like backfiring. Today I went into the bush with it on and when I turned the engine off and on again the Check Engine Light did not come back on.

Now I'm wondering if it's the module itself or the computer is compensating for something. The two codes that came up originally were for high O2 sensor and high voltage.

I'm sorry I did not get the code numbers. Any suggestions, other than buying another truck?? Another thing-gas mileage is degrading.

Ian
Thunder Bay, Ontario, Can.

A. I have to suggest with some hesitation that the cause of your intermittent problem could be the K&N air filter. The hesitation comes from my own affinity for the K&N filter, I run one in my souped up Ford P/U. However, I have observed too many cases lately of certain vehicles developing intermittent quirks after installation of the K&N unit.

Apparently the different airflow allowed by this unit is out of the expected calibration range of certain vehicles feedback systems. Don’t throw it away on my word but I suggest trying a stock filter for a period of time to determine if your quirks clear up, I could be wrong in your case.

If the vehicle has over 60,000 miles on it, O2 sensors would be in order as a normal scheduled replacement item but that doesn’t necessarily mean they are not working correctly.

The problem could, also, be caused by the ignition wires. Read Dodge Ram 1500 Running Rough for more information and repair procedures.