Throttle Troubles Worsening

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2004DodgeRam

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Nov 20, 2021
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Location
Clear Lake, IA
Ram Year
2004
Engine
5.7
I have an 04 Ram Hemi Sport. In August of 2020 I was driving back to Iowa from Colorado pulling a small uhaul trailer. Hit a bump on a bridge coming into Iowa and the lightning bolt light came on and truck went into limp mode. I pulled off and shut it off then restarted it. The rest of the way home it never happened again.

In October the weather started turning cold. Shortly after starting the truck and taking off down the road it started doing it again except this time it was only when the engine was cold. I started letting the truck warm up and it would go into limp mode when the idle wanted to drop because the engine was warmed up. I would shift into neutral when driving to shut off and restart or shut it off and restart it in the driveway and it would be fine again. In December I replaced the throttle body because that's what everyone told me it was. It wasn't.

It was fine all summer and now it's getting cold again it's gotten worse. The truck still goes into limp mode upon warmup so I will shut it off and restart it but now it will idle up and down once it's warm like someone is putting their foot on the pedal and taking it off. Yesterday I stopped at a light and it died.

I can't find ANY help online at all. It doesn't have a TPS because it's a hemi. It doesn't have an IAC valve either. I suspect maybe the APPS but see there are only replacement wiring kits. I have had the truck 12 years and planned on retiring it in the spring but I've got to get it through one last winter. I don't want to go to the Dodge dealership but I don't know what else to do.
 

crazykid1994

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Florida
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2017
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Hemi 5.7
First thing I would check is the throttle body. Pop the intake tube off and see if there’s any dirt or grime built up on the throttle blade or inside the actual throttle body. If the throttle is not operating properly or maybe there is an issue with the connection. You could also have a vacuum leak but that doesn’t change based on outside temps or engine temp. It could be a failing sensor. Is there any engine codes if you plug in a scan tool? O2 sensor can cause fluctuating rpm and for the vehicle to act up.
 

Recoil

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Texas
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2003
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5.7
I agree with @crazykid1994 about a possible vacuum leak with one exception - a vacuum leak CAN change based on outside temps. If a rubber line is cold, it will shrink and if there's a crack in that rubber hose, there is a potential for the crack to be wider until the rubber warms up and expands. It could also be the APPS and/or throttle body. You said you replaced the throttle body - did you get a new or used TB? Have you tried a scanner to see if you get any codes?
 

RaptorHD

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South Carolina
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2019 2500HD
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6.7 Cummins
Is your truck a "fly by wire" truck? That is does it have a real throttle cable or is it an electronic pedal? I would undo all my electrical connectors and re-plug them,, while you have them apart, put some dielectric grease in there. Here is what I use, its the best out there! https://www.ebay.com/itm/370831117520?epid=1201529146&hash=item565741ccd0:g:OGkAAMXQ0pNRs9Sm
Given that you said it all started when you hit a bump, I would suspect an electrical issue..
The U.S. Navy uses it to protect against corrosion, salt water is no joke!
 

DaveInHutto

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2007
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5.7 Hemi
I wonder if the wire harness was pinched between the oil filter and block?
 

Davidj

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Michigan
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2004
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5.9
I’m wondering if u figured out this issue. My truck is having the same exact problem and I can’t figure it out.
 

kevkev

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SRST,FL
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2004
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5.7
Anddd there is never a finished answer......
 
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