Slowly loosing my sanity...

[cman989898]

hey folks ive got an odd problem. when I'm driving after about ten miles or so my engine will off and on go into a low idle while I'm pressing the accelerator. when I floor the gas, I get an odd popping sound that sounds like a backfire. when I start to loose power it makes almost a bubbling sound... starving for fuel? I cant find a pattern, rhythm, or anything pointing at a specific part. Does anyone have any ideas? at this point id take throwing rocks if it would help...

 

[rrb6699]

could be one of many things. try checking the fuel pum relay, fuse and if those are OK then the fuel pump.

not that it can't be a vacuum issue as well. but seems like fuel delivery and components is a good place to start.

 

[Ramnewbie]

Kinda sounds like something is causing it to go into limp mode. JMO

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[Fitz-0518]

Scan it for the problem

 

[cman989898]

only thing the codes ran was a evap canister
what sends these trucks into a limp mode?

 

[Ramnewbie]

If it's showing a code for evap cannister that could be a vacumn leak or you've actually got fuel in the cannister.

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[Ramnewbie]

only thing the codes ran was a evap canister
what sends these trucks into a limp mode?

Pretty much anything that the computer deams as detrimental to engine or transmission if not corrected. It leaves you enough power to get you to the side of the road or out of harm's way but other than that undriveable.

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[Quick_Shifter]

Is the engine light on?

Does it run fine when cooled down?

Is it happening once the engine reaches operating temperature?

Do you have anything aftermarket? Heads, cam, headers etc.

Do you have an evic cluster that you can read your oil pressure?

Their are a lot of rabbit holes you can run down on this so it will be very helpful if you provide year, engine, and drive train

 

[cman989898]

1997 ram 1500 5.2 the only upgrades ive made is the throttle body everythinhg else besides frame stuff is stock as far as I'm aware I cant find the id plate on the block or tranny, probably came off, but it is the automatic. once I park for a bit it resumes normall function, but even if it idles for a while I still get this problem after 5 or 6 miles pretty much no matter what. yes the lights on but It wont show any other code, probably an intermittent issue it will only read when it happens, and I don't have that ability. as for limp mode, when I floor the accelerator I get all power back and I'm back at 60MPH

 

[Quick_Shifter]

my 99 B100 van used to do a similar issue. It was the head gasket leaking coolant into the spark plug so when I floored it, it would blow the coolant out and drive fine for a bit. (I dailyed it as a work truck for 2 years like that) I don't know if the 97 computer even has a limp mode. When it idles is there any surging or wanting to stall? Check the oil cap and see if you have any milky build up on the bottom of it.

 

[Quick_Shifter]

Start with the cheap stuff, Fuel filter, New gas cap, then move to up from there. You can take it to a shop to have a smoke test done too. They hook a mini fog machine up to the vacuum line while its on a lift and see where its leaking out.

 

[cman989898]

the oil cap was clean, if a bit crusty. as for the idle it will surge if I let it sit long enough. I attributed this just to having a rough idle...

 

[Quick_Shifter]

Start with my above suggestion as youre prob overdue for a fuel filter anyway. Replace the PCV valve and inspect the charcoal canister for any cracked hoses. pull hoses off and check for any clogs or the solenoid could have failed/clogged. Most likely its going to be an inexpensive part to fix it

 

[Quick_Shifter]

https://www.ramforum.com/threads/error-code-p0441.47574/

I know its not you year but likely your issue

 

[cman989898]

so I busted of the EVAP canister... had charcoal two inches into the lines... great. at least ive got a probable culprit

 

[Quick_Shifter]

so I busted of the EVAP canister... had charcoal two inches into the lines... great. at least ive got a probable culprit

Good sounds like progress

 

[dapepper9]

Charcoal canister doesn't affect engine operation, all it does is filter the tank vent.

These trucks do not have limp mode.

Being that it's under throttle, you can do a voltage check of the TPS with either a scanner or a multimeter. Oxygen sensor is another possible culprit

 

[Ballistic308]

only thing the codes ran was a evap canister
what sends these trucks into a limp mode?

Sounds like a faulty evap canister valve/solenoid. My truck did this same thing when I topped off the tank with a fuel can and I over filled it. However it only acted up when going down hill and after hitting flat ground and consuming some fuel (1 gal) it has never had the issue since.