Throttle Runawaaaaaaaaay!

[BMiller7]

I seem to be chasing my tail lately... The truck is a 2005 3500 DRW, auto, 4x4. It has a bully Dog and K&N filter.

What started as a rough idle and erratic acceleration has now ended up as of today, as throttle runaway all the time. When in gear, I can only slow the truck down by turning off/on the ignition switch. I did have a Bully Dog attached, but uninstalled it when I started to have problems.



A few months ago, I had a rough idle and the throttle was not releasing very quickly while in park. I bought a new FCA from Geno's and it seemed to take care of the problem. A few weeks later, the engine had a rough idle. I took it to the dealer and they diagnosed the #6 injector was bad. They replaced it.

Then, almost the same day, diesel fuel started leaking from the engine enough to coat the bottom of the truck and any vehicle that was following me too closely. Back to the dealer again and after replacing the #4, #5, & #6injector lines, it was finally found out to be the #5 connector tube. The engine was still a little rough, but the dealer said that the other injectors were good. At this point, the throttle stuck only ever once in a while.



Still not running smooth, and rough starting with whitish smoke in the morning, I took it to another dealer. They said that it had 2 error codes,

PO069 & PO299. They charged me $700+ to replace those sensors. No codes for any injector problems. Still rough, I went to an independent diesel mechanic and they diagnosed both the #2 & #4 injector as bad. As they were replacing them, the #2 injector's top electrical section would rotate freely, something they had never seen before.



So, after 2 more injectors today, the idle is perfect, but the throttle now sticks open every time I take off from the light. I took it on the turnpike and noticed that after I turn it off/on, the engine is smooth and quiet for a few seconds and then feels like it is loading up and the continues to throttle up. Ok, I need to get this fixed once and for all!!



When I came home, I immediately called Geno's Garage again and discussed the possibility of maybe the FCA being bad. He said that if I took it out and tested it electrically, as long as it clicked open/shut, it was good. I checked it and it was ok. I put it back in and test drove it. The engine still runs on while driving.



Tomorrow, I'll take it to a third dealer, (I don't have any faith in the other 2 anymore), but what can they do if they don't get any trouble codes?



Any ideas? Would an ECM reflash be appropriate? How much does it normally cost? Didn't I read that they now have a lifetime warranty on them?

 

[BMiller7]

I'll mention that to the dealer later today.



Just to give a little more update... I drove the truck the 25 miles to work today and when the engine was cold, I had a few starts from the traffic light where the throttle responded normally. Once I got up to temp, everytime I started out, the engine kept increasing speed to where I had to click the ignition off/on to reset. The engine is smooth for about 5-7 seconds and then it acts like it is loading up. I know when I feel the engine change its tone that if I step on the throttle, it will not slow down.

Another thing I have found is that there are times that the engine is running up, that the transmission/drivetrain begins to shutter to the point that the entire truck shakes.



Last week, the truck was in the shop(dealer), and I had the transmission rebuilt to the tune of $2,900.

This week it was the injectors, and still not a truck that I would let my wife of daughter drive.

Help!



Bruce

 

[mwilson]

But 03-04 all have an engine bay APPS, and a vacuum pump and crusie control. . There is still a throttle cable on them, the 05+ have no throttle cable or cruise control module.

Could you possibly have a bad TPS??? It will be built into the throttle pedal assembly where it is an '05.

One thing is for sure, people need to quit throwing parts at it until a proper diagnosois is made. Wow.....



Mike.

 

[BMiller7]

As a followup to the post...



All 6 injectors have now been replaced and the truck runs as good as new.

Maybe better!



I have a new matra: I am my own warranty station.





For grins, I looked at new vehicles too. Mine's paid for. It sure looks good!

I've been a member since 2000, and looks like I'm staying.



Thanks for all the help!!



Bruce

 

[rscurtis]

You might want to think about ditching that K&N unless you want to be your own warranty station again.