Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) has the hesitation problem been resolved?

[mmclaughlin]

Go easy, this is my first post!



I've been reading all about the problems with the hesitation and surging, and it seems that I, too have a similar problem. It has only happened a couple of times, and each time it doesn't last that long. The first time was about three weeks ago. It was very cold out (around 0F), and it happened after the truck had started and warmed up a bit. I drove the truck earlier in the morning with no problems at all. After running fine for about 10 minutes, the truck started to sputter and lose power. I dove it like this for about a mile, then pulled into a parking lot. It was sputtering just a bit at idle, but it wasn't too bad while it was just sitting there. I desided to drive back home and put her in the garage to see what was going on (the truck lives outside - goes into the garage for work only). A friend of mine saw me in the parking lot, and I asked him to follow me home. On the way home (only 5 miles away), the truck seemed to clear up, and it started to run fine. I had my power back and it wasn't sputtering at all. My buddy said that it was smoking pretty bad with a blue smoke, but once he saw me accelerate away, the smoke cleared. I idled at home for a couple of minutes, then desided to fill up the tank (it was at 3/8 of a tank). Filled it up, and didn't have any problem at all until this morning. I was driving into work this morning, and about 20 minutes into my ride, I noticed a slight hesitation while going up a hill on the highway. I was going between 70 and 75 at the time. After the hill, it was fine. Then, about a minute later and the next hill, the truck started to lose power and started what seemed like miss-firing or missing on one or two cylinders. It started to get real bad, so I got off the next exit. I started taking the back-roads home, and it seemed to run fine. So I got back on the highway heading to work again. I figured I would fill up the tank again (at 3/8 of a tank again). I put like 15 gallons in to fill it. Got back on the highway, and the next hill it started to do it again. There is a dodge dealership about 5 miles down the highway, so desided to try to make it. Got to the dealership trying to figure out what I should do - leave it or just take a change with it. The truck was not sending out any codes at all. I desided to chance it (left it idling in the parking lot) and started back on the highway. Well, it made it to work no problem at all. I worked it pretty hard on the hills on the highway with no problem at all. From reading previous post, it sounds like it could be a lift pump, the VP44 pump (I would have guessed it would have sent a code), the MAP or AIT sensors, (but it's more of a constant throttle with a load on then an acceleration problem), or possibly a ground problem? Any other suggestions? I replaced my lift pump about 4k miles ago, but I don't have a gauge now to check that. Is it possible that there is some gelling or parafin collecting on the screen that is installed inside the fuel tank? I haven't heard anyone talk about that?? It's been very cold here the last couple of weeks and she sits outside. I do plug it in at night. The truck is in stock form. Any suggestions? Sorry for the length of the post.



- Mike

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Problem in nailing down the many various hesitation related complaints, is that there are so many possible causes that create the same effect...



AND, after apparently ELIMINATING all the peripheral causes, there are STILL some who experience a slight-to-moderate hesitation in cold weather, usually under some form of load, towing, etc. , and when using some brand of aftermarket power box - EZ, Comp, etc.



In absense of any additional input on the subject, *I* have come to the conclusion it is due to chracteristics of the ECM in cold weather as it responds to various sensor inputs, and is aggravated when unusual additional demands are placed upon it by the power mods.



That's what I am stuck with for a reply unless someone comes up with something better.

 

[mmclaughlin]

Gary - KJ6Q



I think I have found my problem - I hope. I think my connection to my lift pump is loose. I'm in the process now of putting in a new wiring harness.



As for the cold therory, if it was a result of the electronics being cold, wouldn't I experience the problem on initial start-up when everything is really cold? The second time this happened to me was when the engine was nice and warm - running around 2000 for about 20-30 minutes after idling for about 5 minutes. I would have thought that the problem would have occured much earlier in the trip. Also, I have no mods at all to the truck - well, not yet anyways (I'm really considering that FASS system... )

- Mike

 

[DavidC]

You can check here and see what you think

http://turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=40822



Dave

 

[GFrance]

my truck hesitation gone

ToolManTimTaylor wrote on 02-14-2004 03:23 PM:

As an update to this day she has not given me an issue. In fact I made SEVERAL back to back runs with a number of trucks today with th ebox on kill mode and she was hust prestine. Please let me know how you made out on your endevour.

Well I have to thank you for doing the leg work because my truck is running great. Oo. Oo. I really think it had more to do with the ground off my banks box being grounded to the fuel filter mounting bolt. I spliced a wire, soldered it put shrink wrap over it & ran it directly to the battery ground. I also took both ground straps loose at the block wire wheeled the bolts, washers, & block, cleaned up the battery termanals put the little fuzzy anti corrode things on. I tried everything this afternoon to get her to stumble 110mph & morepower left. Thanks again ToolMan Tim Taylor you rock. I'm posting this for others in hopes it will take care of their hesitation problem.