Docolds66
Junior Member
First post and its a long one so I apologize in advance -
I purchased a 2003 Ram 2500 with a 5.7 Hemi. After getting it running and road worthy I still had a misfire on cylinder #4. After diagnosing this It was determined to be the PCM (no signal from the PCM to fire the coil). So I ordered a replacement PCM and installed. After I installed I noticed that it had an odd throttle pedal and didn't seem to respond like it did before. After about a month of driving the ETC light came on and started to idle rough. So I took it into the shop to have codes read and nothing was on the scanner except some emissions codes (purge valve which I did replace but still have code). After reading in various forums I decided to try and relearn the throttle, big mistake lol, it went from running rough to no throttle at all as in if I hit the pedal there was no response. At that point it did register a code of the APPS sensor being out of range (high and low). Again after checking forums I did the following -
replace the throttle body (VDO) - no difference
Checked the resistance and voltage from and to the PCM from the APPS sensor (all was in factory spec range)
I also checked the ground wires that I could find and cleaned and checked them, wires at the APPS sensor, Wires at the PCM and found no damaged wires.
Checked all pins and connections and tightened up a couple of loose pins and ohm checked for good connection. Still made no difference
At that point I contacted a place I purchased the PCM and had them send me another - Replaced and again worked for about 2 miles when ETC light came on again and went into limp mode. Got the truck home and parked it. I contacted another company that had much better ratings with their PCMS gave them all my info and they sent me a new unit. Plugged in and ran great for about 2 weeks. Today ETC light came on and went into limp mode again. The only thing that I noticed that seems to be common when this happens is it seems to be is when I have to make a quick stop and make a quick stab at the throttle.
The funny part is if I put the original PCM back in the code goes away but I have the cylinder misfire and runs without issue except the misfire.
I am stumped at this point on what to check for, I have checked compression to make sure valve springs are ok (I know this is not 100% but I also do not hear any loud ticking).
Now the only things I know that there are problems with the truck are the following but I am not sure if they can cause this problem.
1. Odometer lights are out and that half of the gauge cluster
2. I do have the emission error and as I stated I replace the purge valve and the valve (forget the name) on top of the canister.
If there is anything someone can think of for me to check please let me know I would greatly appreciate it. I do really like this truck but it is causing me a lot of frustration right now. It is spending more time parked than driving.
I purchased a 2003 Ram 2500 with a 5.7 Hemi. After getting it running and road worthy I still had a misfire on cylinder #4. After diagnosing this It was determined to be the PCM (no signal from the PCM to fire the coil). So I ordered a replacement PCM and installed. After I installed I noticed that it had an odd throttle pedal and didn't seem to respond like it did before. After about a month of driving the ETC light came on and started to idle rough. So I took it into the shop to have codes read and nothing was on the scanner except some emissions codes (purge valve which I did replace but still have code). After reading in various forums I decided to try and relearn the throttle, big mistake lol, it went from running rough to no throttle at all as in if I hit the pedal there was no response. At that point it did register a code of the APPS sensor being out of range (high and low). Again after checking forums I did the following -
replace the throttle body (VDO) - no difference
Checked the resistance and voltage from and to the PCM from the APPS sensor (all was in factory spec range)
I also checked the ground wires that I could find and cleaned and checked them, wires at the APPS sensor, Wires at the PCM and found no damaged wires.
Checked all pins and connections and tightened up a couple of loose pins and ohm checked for good connection. Still made no difference
At that point I contacted a place I purchased the PCM and had them send me another - Replaced and again worked for about 2 miles when ETC light came on again and went into limp mode. Got the truck home and parked it. I contacted another company that had much better ratings with their PCMS gave them all my info and they sent me a new unit. Plugged in and ran great for about 2 weeks. Today ETC light came on and went into limp mode again. The only thing that I noticed that seems to be common when this happens is it seems to be is when I have to make a quick stop and make a quick stab at the throttle.
The funny part is if I put the original PCM back in the code goes away but I have the cylinder misfire and runs without issue except the misfire.
I am stumped at this point on what to check for, I have checked compression to make sure valve springs are ok (I know this is not 100% but I also do not hear any loud ticking).
Now the only things I know that there are problems with the truck are the following but I am not sure if they can cause this problem.
1. Odometer lights are out and that half of the gauge cluster
2. I do have the emission error and as I stated I replace the purge valve and the valve (forget the name) on top of the canister.
If there is anything someone can think of for me to check please let me know I would greatly appreciate it. I do really like this truck but it is causing me a lot of frustration right now. It is spending more time parked than driving.
