engine problem (need advice)

**harris9831** · 08-21-2010, 07:58 PM

I have a 02 ram air trans am and the motor idles fine and seems to run fine until u get on it and it seems to cutout and doesnt want to open up all the way. If anyone has any input in would be a great help. Thanks

**02hawk0039** · 08-21-2010, 08:27 PM

how many miles are on your car? I have a another car that's got about 100K miles on it and had a similar problem, took it to the local shop and they told me the cat was clogged up and needed replacement, $200 later, no problems runs great. Just my opinion...good luck

**Frost** · 08-23-2010, 02:11 PM

Originally Posted by 02hawk0039

how many miles are on your car? I have a another car that's got about 100K miles on it and had a similar problem, took it to the local shop and they told me the cat was clogged up and needed replacement, $200 later, no problems runs great. Just my opinion...good luck

Could easily be this or a dead MAF...

**bluehawk2000** · 08-23-2010, 02:16 PM

Originally Posted by Frost

Could easily be this or a dead MAF...

+1 except it would throw a code if it was the MAF unless its just dirty!!!

**Frost** · 08-23-2010, 06:18 PM

Originally Posted by bluehawk2000

+1 except it would throw a code if it was the MAF unless its just dirty!!!

The majority dead MAFs won't code. They don't actually die, they just report about half of what they did when they worked right.

**harris9831** · 08-24-2010, 05:28 AM

It has 113000 on it and I took it and had it hooked up to get the trouble codes and 4 codes showed up about the o2 sensors. The car started running fine after it sat for a day. I'm planning on putting headers on the car and I'm hoping that will fix the problem if it is the cats. Still I would like to know what caused it. Still kinda new to all this so any input would be helpful. Thanks for the input!

**KMdef9** · 08-24-2010, 06:16 AM

Replacing the O2's when you do the headers is recommended, so if you want you could go ahead and replace them now and see if that eliminates your problem.

Or are you deleting your O2's with the header install?

**Spaz** · 08-24-2010, 06:24 AM

you're going to need 02 extensions so you might as well replace the fronts whiile you're at it... rears can be tuned off...

**harris9831** · 08-24-2010, 02:33 PM

I got a buddy that does alot of tuning on them and he was talking about turning the back ones off. If it was up to me I would turn all of them off if it could be done. It's just something else to aggravate the hell out of ya. Could the cats being stopped up cause all those problems? Not to mention I got to get home and take that damn power stearing cooler off and throw it down the hill cause it's leaking. Is it fine just to connect the lines and replace the rad hose with one that didn't have it?

**Marc 85Z28** · 08-26-2010, 08:28 AM

What were the actual codes?

If you've got a P0420 or P0430, or a restricted catalytic converter, take the car to any GM dealer and have the converters replaced, for free!

**Spaz** · 08-26-2010, 08:52 AM

Originally Posted by harris9831

I got a buddy that does alot of tuning on them and he was talking about turning the back ones off. If it was up to me I would turn all of them off if it could be done. It's just something else to aggravate the hell out of ya. Could the cats being stopped up cause all those problems? Not to mention I got to get home and take that damn power stearing cooler off and throw it down the hill cause it's leaking. Is it fine just to connect the lines and replace the rad hose with one that didn't have it?

power steering pump is probably pissing all over your alternator... that would cause low voltage problems and a possible fire hazard...