Truck is lacking power

Asked by Blake Mar 04, 2023 at 09:10 PM about the 1999 Dodge RAM 1500 Laramie SLT 4WD

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

While accelerating my truck sometimes lacks power.
I first noticed it while accelerating with the cruise
control. I was on a slight incline and it wouldn't drop
gears to accelerate. It just stayed at the same speed
until the road was flat. Also when I accelerate my a/c
quits blowing out the vents. But when I let of the gas
or my rpm levels out I hear a pop and the air starts
blowing again. Any ideas?

2 Answers

155,245

Sounds like a vacuum leak. Where the air conditioning blows air from is controlled by vacuum operated doors under the dash. This vacuum system is connected to the intake manifold on the engine. There's a check valve and vacuum reserve tank that's supposed to prevent the "mode shifting" that you're seeing in the air conditioning. If you have a damaged vacuum hose or other component the air to fuel mixture can be upset in the engine which can cause the lack of power. If your check engine light is on and you get a code for a lean condition, which is too much air, that's what's going on. Hope that helps! Jim

38,925

Clogged catalytic converter ? Stomp the gas and see if a healthy blast of exhaust comes out .Check for proper trans fluid level/condition

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