Engine Idles at 2K RPM

[jeslookn]

Hi,

1999 Dodge Dakota
3.6 liter w/air conditioning

I'm pretty sure I made a mess of things. My Serpentine belt was all cracked and making noises while idling and driving. It was time to replace it. It's a long story, but my auto mechanic told me to drive my truck for a week and then give him a call. Well.... I didn't do that. My battery went dead and I charged it up and it lasted a month. Yesterday, it wouldn't start so I bought a Serpentine belt and installed it. As far as I know, I didn't damage anything while I was working on it.

The battery was still dead and I charged it, however, the key was turned on while I was charging it. I don't know how I did that, but I did.

The problem I'm having is that the engine is now idling at 2000 RPM. I scanned it and there are no codes or pending codes.

Today, I went out and drew a diagram of how the belt is routed and it's the same as the diagram under the hood. I had a friend take a look at it and he agrees that I put it on correctly.

I just thought I would ask if someone knows what is wrong before I have my truck towed to the repair shop tomorrow.

Thanks,

Jes

[rhandwor]

Use your volt meter and check voltage low voltage will cause problems. A good battery will be around 12.8 Volts.

[jeslookn]

Originally Posted by rhandwor

Use your volt meter and check voltage low voltage will cause problems. A good battery will be around 12.8 Volts.

Hi rhandwor,

The battery voltage with the engine not running is 12.2VDC and with the engine idling at 2K RPM it's 14.45VDC.

Thanks,

Jes

[jeslookn]

Originally Posted by jeslookn

Hi rhandwor,

The battery voltage with the engine not running is 12.2VDC and with the engine idling at 2K RPM it's 14.45VDC.

Thanks,

Jes

My truck was towed the the repair shop this morning. I will let everyone know what they find.

Thanks,

Jes

[jeslookn]

Hi,

I got a call back from the repair shop. They started it up and the RPM went back down to normal. I was told that it may be because the computer module needed to relearn. My Power Steering Pump has to be replaced because it leaks fluid and is making a noise due to the bearings being worn.

The long story that I mentioned in my first post came from my inspection. My Power Steering fluid had been leaking for some time and I told them. I had to have an inner tie rod end replaced and the rack and pinion replaced also because the Power Steering fluid was leaking from there. I brought it back because it was still leaking power steering fluid, they couldn't find where it was leaking and was told that my Serpentine belt should be replaced, but to wait a week and let them know if I lost more fluid. I barely drive my truck and waited too long.

They will continue to test if the RPM increases while they have it.

Jes

[rhandwor]

If the idle high speed returns go to Auto Zone or Advanced Auto and get a free computer scan.
It sounds like a TPS sensor maybe going bad.

[jeslookn]

Originally Posted by rhandwor

If the idle high speed returns go to Auto Zone or Advanced Auto and get a free computer scan.
It sounds like a TPS sensor maybe going bad.

I can test that. Thanks for the info.

Jes

[jeslookn]

I got my truck back this moring. The power steering pump was replaced along with the idler pully. They are not positve, but are thinking that when my battery went dead, the computer had to relearn the parameters that the engine should be running at. I was told that if I had the problem with the engine running at 2K RPM again, to call them.

I consider the repair shop I use to be competent and honest, They have been in business since 1912.

Jes