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AR15.COM
4/22/2007 4:21:14 AM EDT
I have a '95 Dodge Ram, 5.9L, auto that idles fine, but as soon as I put it in gear the engine stutturs and bucks when I accelerate.
The engine light did not go on. It's not the catalytic converter or the exhaust, I changed the plugs, wires and distributor cap/rotor, and the fuel pump/filter were replaced. Any ideas???

4/22/2007 7:51:54 AM EDT
[#1]
I would check for codes if you can. A scan tool would be great because you could see what your sensors are reading when it starts to act up. Does the exhaust smell rich? Was it acting up before replacing all the parts? If so that rules out wrong or incorrectly installed parts.   good luck

ETA: You might try a compression check as well.
4/22/2007 7:58:44 AM EDT
[#2]
Go to autozone and they will scan it for you FREE. Chances are it's a sensor problem. O2, TPS, Idle, none are all that pricy if you know what one to replace.
4/22/2007 8:24:28 AM EDT
[#3]
Your fuel pump maybe going out.
4/22/2007 10:47:00 AM EDT
[#4]
Its pre 98, so you can get the codes to flash to you through the check engine light.  Get a haynes manual and it has the procedure.  I have a 97.  It could be o2.  It could also be an intake plenum gasket.  Has the oil burn changed since this has started happening?  

Get the book and check the codes.  
4/23/2007 6:49:55 AM EDT
[#5]
I'd check for a vacuum leak first.
4/23/2007 7:11:44 AM EDT
[#6]

Quoted:
Its pre 98, so you can get the codes to flash to you through the check engine light.  Get a haynes manual and it has the procedure.  I have a 97.  It could be o2.  It could also be an intake plenum gasket.  Has the oil burn changed since this has started happening?  

Get the book and check the codes.  


With my 01 cummins,  you turn the key to "on" then "off" 3 times without starting.  The codes flash on my odometer.  It might be similiar for you.
4/23/2007 10:37:27 AM EDT
[#7]
Intake plenum gasket.

Take the air hat off the throttle body, and with the engine off, open the throttle body blades, and look down to the bottom of the intake manifold with a flashlight. See oil? betcha do.

Make absolutely sure that you go to a Dodge dealer and get the steel gasket for the intake plenum plate. Anything else and you'll be doing it again in a few thousand miles.
4/23/2007 1:22:26 PM EDT
[#8]

Quoted:
Intake plenum gasket.

Take the air hat off the throttle body, and with the engine off, open the throttle body blades, and look down to the bottom of the intake manifold with a flashlight. See oil? betcha do.

Make absolutely sure that you go to a Dodge dealer and get the steel gasket for the intake plenum plate. Anything else and you'll be doing it again in a few thousand miles.


I think mine has a small leak, and when I take it off, that sucker is getting welded.  No more gaskets.  
4/23/2007 6:57:09 PM EDT
[#9]
Thanks guys, I will check the gasket and codes soon, I'll keep you updated.
4/23/2007 9:14:18 PM EDT
[#10]

Quoted:
Intake plenum gasket.

Take the air hat off the throttle body, and with the engine off, open the throttle body blades, and look down to the bottom of the intake manifold with a flashlight. See oil? betcha do.

Make absolutely sure that you go to a Dodge dealer and get the steel gasket for the intake plenum plate. Anything else and you'll be doing it again in a few thousand miles.


I had that problem with my '99 Durango 5.9.  Pissed me off, because it occurred at 76k miles and I had a 75k mile warranty.  The only problem it ever really caused was burning oil, and I ended up trading the truck at 110k miles or so.
4/30/2007 5:33:09 PM EDT
[#11]
It's improved, but the same thing is happening, especially around 55-60mph, but runs fine at higher speeds.
No engine codes and no noticeable oil while looking down the intake.

Any other ideas?
5/2/2007 9:44:27 AM EDT
[#12]
Fuel system relay?

did mine a few months back.
5/2/2007 10:39:56 AM EDT
[#13]
My 98 dakota did something similar. Would buck and surge for 10 min then clear up. Was the crank trigger sensor. Firestone couldnt figure it out on 3 visits. (local dodge dealer service dept is incompetent to start with) and ended up having a dealer 40 miles away fix it.
5/8/2007 9:55:55 PM EDT
[#14]
There's a gasket between the throttle body and the plastic aircleaner tube that dries and cracks/breaks over time. Mine went after 120,000. About 10 dollars and 5-10 minutes with a flat-head screwdriver if it is the problem. Mine wouldn't idle with it broken.