dave_connor

Just my two cents, my 2000 3500 did this too. Never any codes. I had the 2000 looked at at several dealers and they did several things in attempt to fix, new fuel distributor, new cam sensor, and new battery cable ends and ironically the battery cable ends seemed to solve this on my 2000 for several months before I wrapped it around a pole. My 2001 3500 has done this from day one and 18.7 miles, and the battery cables ends are tight on the batteries so I've never done anything, wasn't interested in not having the truck during trial and error repair and am out of warranty of course. I've seen several references to this type of behavior being a lock out torque converter issue functioning at idle, or doing the same thing at crusing speeds like 70mph. Try turning off the overdrive when your at idle if it bothers you so much, I think that shuts off the TC circuit, but I don't know jack. Never really bothered me that much, actually only really notice it surging when I'm in line at a drive-thru restaurant right next to the building and hear it, and sometimes I can see the dash and head lights kindof getting brighter when it upsurges at night which begs the foil over the alternator wire ends question. Good luck and keep us posted!!! I'd love to hear a definitive solution. Dave

Hey all, thanks again for all the info. I'm still puttering along with the problems, about 2500 miles since this all started. Few minor improvements, mostly based on my trial and error. If I start out cold accelerating hard I get right past the limp mode problem... When I can't accelerate hard, it pays to not hit 21mph intil I can. When I do hit 22mph on soft acceleration it goes into limp mode but I can come to a stop and then accellerate hard. I suspect I'm getting past the bad spot on the APPS sensor, instead of sitting on it. Worst is bumper to bumper traffic though... I also still have issue of the trans not shifting until 3200rpm now and again, particularly on the first shift after truck has been off for awhile but still warm, big puff of smoke when it shifts, but then I generally never hit 3200 rpm either. I still have all the same codes... but seems much less debilitating. I'm saving up for a new govenor pressure control unit and the IP and APPs, but I just poured money in on rear brakes rotors and calipers, which since they were dragging (seized left rear caliper) I hoped it was a contributing factor in all the above. I have gotten above 13.5 average mpg since the calipers were replaced though! Maybe it was since the truck is acting up much less, but there no denying the codes as it's been pointed out repeatedly. Any more thoughts in this thread are much appreciated! Thx, Dave

Erased codes warm engine no issues currently happening, only had the trans codes 1757 and 1762 when I got home. On start up got limp mode (cant get above 2100 rpm) once I hit about 20mph (first shift point?), let off fuel pedal, try again and have power but no first shift until almost redline (3200rpm or so). At the first light, bout 8 blocks, I shut her down and did the key trick and also had the 0122 and 0216. Does this smack of just a govenor pressure sensor issue? Is there a detailed thread on "limp mode" you could refer me to? Thanks in advance!

Hmmm - I'll stop by autozone and get a reader and try to erase - where does it plug in? LiveOak had reminded me of Murphy's law - and for me it'll break down at the worst possible time of course...... but but but but Mike, why would it act normal most of the time? Note: Never had a check engine light either?!?!?

Wow guys - thanks for all the insight - what a great forum this is! Limp mode sounds right - but I've seen references in this forum about the speed sensor causing that. Wouldn't limp mode be a culprit for all the other codes? Is there a trick (besides disconnecting both batteries) to reset the ECM/PCM and see if the codes pop again? I actually have great improvement from having cleaned up the three trans sensors with electrical contact cleaner (there was some old PS fluid blowby from a blown hose a year ago or so) - yesterday about 20 starts and stops all with warm motor and no problems so I didn't bother picking up the speed sensor. But again this morning I briefly lost power to the pedal the first time it went to shift to second cold, but I took foot off fuel pedal and came to a stop, tried again and was off for the day with no more problems... I even spun the tires a few times on wet pavement today, which hadn't happenned for awhile. Mini-trip computer has my mpg at 12.8 both days, and I don't recall getting much better than that... So I'm wondering hard about the IP being toast.....? and the aps sensor...? But wow I sure appreciate all the info about replacement parts and all.

Thanks so much for the code assistance! I appreciate your opine on the situation - this isn't acting like IP issue since it clears up - I had an IP electronics issues on my 2000 3500 and every time Dodge did the pump first and then it still had the issue and was always a sensor. Being boneheaded and short on funds in this economy, I am opting to try the speed sensor first - my bet is that if its not working properly it would throw all the other codes too. You'll probably laugh at this but I have been getting it to snap back to life with a hard right turn at the bottom of a nearby hill on my way out of the neighborhood, like after gravity has it moving 30-35mph - and believe it or not a hard left doesn't do it... I've repeatedly found loose connections on this beast and I'm hoping for the best - wanting that 0500 to be the key. I'll let ya'll know what results later today. Thanks again for your time in response. Dave

Thanks for responding! I do have codes 0122,0500,1757,1762, and 1693 on PCM and 0216 and 1693 on ECM. Don't know fuel pressure, how would I check it? On bad fuel - considered that and ran rough and almost dry prior to refills at 4 different stations with no change. Saw a thread about speed sensor issue and my condition was described pretty well in that (15mph cutout - on level ground) even though it actually goes away in my case. I got up under the truck this am and looked at - cleaned up blowby and unplugged, replugged all three connections to the trans (that I saw anyway). If I read correctly the speed sendor is the three wire connection side mount sensor just above the pan drivers side, but there was also an 8 wire top mount just behind it, any clue which is it - guess I'll know when I buy a speed sensor today... Any help on codes would be appreciated, and thanks again for your response!

Very annoying if I'm parked on a hill, the truck won't move at all. Tried all kinds of reset moves I've found online, and changed the fuel filter. It's been hot here lately and I've noticed my glow plug light is briefer than typical - I can't get the rpm's above 21-2400 until several minutes go by, then a big puff of smoke and I have power. Anybody have any ideas?