coyote204

I am new to this forum, but I am liking it already. I have had two 1st gen trucks and recently bought a 2nd. Gen. The trouble is, I am in Iraq and my wife is at home with the truck. She had a moment of "dead pedal" and I had her take the truck to Autozone to read the codes. The guy at Autozone tells her the truck needs a Throttle Position Sensor. I have replaced these many times on my 1st gen trucks, but I thought that the 2nd gen trucks didn't have one. Doesn't a 2nd gen truck use a APPS instead of a TPS? I found the link on the site to reset the APPS and I can have her do this. Is there a simple way my wife can clear the codes, or maybe clear them with some help? I hate paying dealer mechanics.

crobtex

Let her do the reset first. If the code is still there have her ask the folks at Auto Zone to let HER push the erase button. Most will do that.

RowJ

If the Apps reset solves the problem...the code will disappear if not reactivated. It's after 10 starts, I think.+/-?
Best results are from disconnecting the batteries for much longer than the :30 min suggested. I do 2 hrs!

2002 CTD calls it a APPS, in previous yrs it was called the TPS?
Previous yrs had a mechanical cable between the accelerator and the TPS lever. APPS still has the cable but uses no linkage or bell cranks between the cable lever and the injector pump.
The APPS is services (replaced) as a single unit...incl levers brackets & sensors. The APPS is calibrated to it's mounting bracket!

Hope this helps?

Good luck!.....RJ

coyote204

Will the reset last awhile? I hope so, my wife will get awful mad at me.

RJohnson, that is a beautiful truck. You list the color as Lt. Almond. Is that the Dodge color? My new truck is the same color.

Thanks

RowJ

Thanks! Yup, Lt Almond was Dodges name for it...not mine! They change the name to Driftwood in 03...slightly different tone to it but basically the same!
IF you get a "build sheet" (free from the dealer), it lists all the factory items included. Says Lt Almond there.

Also, starting in 02...you can read codes with the "Key Trick". Turn key on...off...on...off...on (not starting it); than read two sets of codes in the Odometer window - one for ECM, one for PCM!

Good luck

RJ

zulusafari

My early 2001 gasser and my 2001.5 also work with the key on-off-on-off-on trick. For many years that trick worked, then Dodge/chrysler etc. went to a hidden system requiring computer hookup -- I think it ended in 2000. My wife's 1999 grand caravan requires a code reader. sigh.

coyote204

Thanks for the key trick. I was able to call the wife and she got the code for me. It was P0121. It has already cleared she tells me. It has only happened once in the 45 days since I bought it, should I have her reset the APPS or wait until it does it more often? I am working on my truck from 8000 miles away.
I'm glad to know the color now. The dealer called it Gold, but that didn't seem right.

graphitecumnz

P0121 is an APPS code... I've had it and the only solution was replacing the unit... Dodge calls it something other than APPS though and it will cost an arm and a leg at a dealer. The part number for a manual transmission is 53031576... I can't seem to locate the part number for an automatic... hopefully someone will chime in with it.

1timetoomany

Try these guys...good people, and exl prices...be sure and have your engine #
http://www.hoeslidiesel.com./specials.htm

RowJ

My guess would be Autozone cleared the code unless she drives a lot??
Depends on how game your wife is...but if she's willing, I would wait and see how it goes. It did not strand her in the middle of nowhere, so....
Probable needs replacing but with only one occurance a while ago... I would not jump too quickly. JMO.

RJ

Fat Tom

I think Dodge calls the part a bell crank assembly. At least thats what they called it when they looked it up for my 2000. Its not a cheap part either, I think they wanted around $750 cdn for it. I'm told you can buy just the sensor through Cummins, (think it was around $60usd) but it will not be calibrated to your bell crank assembly. I have a friend who thinks he can calibrate it fairly easily, so when mine finally does bite the bullet, we are going to give it a try, and I will post up here on how to do it.

Clunk

Week before last I had some short term dead pedal events so I took the APPS bracket off mine and disconnected the connector. 5 small pins and 1 large and it was a little dark looking so I connected and disconnected 3 or 4 times, reconnected then re-installed the bracket. No dead pedal since(knocked on some wood). Never got the code though.