Behr

I have a 2001 Dodge ram - 2500 5 speed manual two wheel drive

Last week I noticed something different about the way my truck was running.

What I noticed was once I shifted into 3rd gear... and gave it some gas it would accelerate but when I hit 1,500 RPM it would then want to go like hell... all kinds of power after 1,500 rpm.

So I took it out on the highway.... tried it again ... but what I noticed that once I shifted into 5 th gear and while my Rpm's were below 1500 the truck was some what sluggish... but once I hit 1500 rpm she just wanted to go .... it was like the turbo kicked in and she was ready to work.

As for starting .... she starts very quick on first flick of the key.... and when in neutral... and idling... if you give it quick full throttle.... she responds without any hesitation.

Any suggestions...?

Deezil

You have to wait for the turbo to spool up.

Behr

I know there may be a short time before the Turbo winds up... but this is something that just started about 2 weeks ago. Up until then... the truck had all kinds of get up and go after about 1,100 rpm's.

What is really abnormal is now in 5th gear from 1200 to 1,500 rpm's you can feel the motor bucking back if you give it to much throttle.

Once I hit the 1500 rpm mark .... she just wants to fly.... no problem climbing hills or pulling a load...... as long at the motor is doing 1,500 rpm.

satellite12

I would check the wastegate. A stuck open wastegate would allow the turbine section of the turbo to be partially bypassed this would cause the turbo to spool slowly off idle but on the top end the turbo would act a little more normal because the exhaust gas velocity would be greater. Also the wastegate could be closing and sticking shut on the top end causing an excessive amount of boost which equals extra power.

Deezil

Hmm, how do you check a wastegate? From idle to 1500 my truck is a dog, after that though it hauls A!!

totalloser

Sounds like an exhaust leak. The vp44 is set up to limit fueling until boost is detected, and that initial boost is difficult to build if you have pre-turbo exhaust leaking out.

Make sure your exhaust manifold is cinched down, and not cracked/warped (common problem on these trucks) and maybe check the manifold to turbo fasteners.

A damaged (leaking) wastegate could cause similar problems, but it's pretty rare.

12valvin

my truck is doing the same thing, any fixes yet?

Behr

Well I have spent about 10 days poking around under the hood looking for maybe a leak of some kind in my air intake system .... checking the turbo over and making sure the wastegate was functioning properly. Did not find anything there.... changed my fuel filter and air filter... etc. Still nothing was showing up until yesterday I finally got a code with the engine light now coming on.
It was P237 so I checked out the forums... and then realized my MAP sensor had gone south on me. Went to the local parts store... bought an after market one... threw it on ... and presto ... truck is running like new. No more engine light.... so keeping fingers crossed.

12valvin

Ok awesome, ill probably let mine go for awhile and see if the code pops up.

Thanks for the reply

Behr

12valvin.... is your manual or auto...?

12valvin

auto