[MikeGT]

First I would like to say I am very new to Dodge. This is actually my first dodge.
2007 Charger R/T 5.7

I just recently changed the water pump and radiator as well as the coolant temp sensor.

A little back story on the car. I'm a repo agent. I took possession of this vehicle for not paying the mechanic. We got a mechanic lien title , I paid the mechanic , the car is now mine.

The car was over heating when I got it. I found the water pump leaking from under the pulley. I also found a hole in the rad right behind the fans. Changed them both as well as upper and lower hoses. New T-Stat. Flushed system and put HOAT in and air evac the system. When doing all this, the coolant temp sensor broke. Don't ask "father in law" so I changed it out. Cooling system runs great.

Car runs a little rough. Smokes a little. But was sitting for a few months without being started. Smoke clears up after its put in drive and driving for 5 min.

I do need to change the valve cover gaskets. Pass side is leaking a little in the back. And I plan to change out the plugs when I do this. My guess from the way this car was taken care of prior , it's got the original plugs. I will be going with coppers because I do plan on changing them again to see if there is any foul play.

I am pulling 5 trouble codes and would like to hear your thoughts.

0520: engine Oil pressure sensor circuit

0113: intake air temp sensor circuit high

0131: o2 sensor 1/1 circuit low

0038: o2 sensor 2/1 heater circuit high

0117: Engine coolant temp sensor circuit low


This car has no mods. It's stock as far as what I can see.

Thank you in advance for your thoughts and input.

 

[mnunes]

On a pre-2008 HEMI that overheated, you risk dropping valve seats. It's a known problem on these engines.

As for the codes, it really depends. Depending on what the mechanic (who didn't get paid) was doing, there could be just about anything wrong and/or partially repaired or left disconnected. Since you've been in touch with the mechanic you might want to find out what the original problem was and how far he got. If you do a battery disconnect, wait a few minutes, then reconnect, the codes will be cleared and only come back if they're still active problems.

All of these codes are PCM codes which could mean that the PCM is bad. Another case is that all of the sensors themselves are bad but that seems unlikely. Step 1 to check on multiple codes is the condition of the battery. The battery life on these has been incredible (some people with 2006's are still on the original battery). If it's the original battery, I'd change it out.

Regarding the individual codes (assuming the battery is in good condition):

P0520 (old pressure sensor). Usually just a sensor replacement is needed. Go with an OEM (Mopar) sensor rather than aftermarket as they're more reliable and consistent. It's not an urgent replacement need but it's easy enough to do. When replacing the sensor, be sure to clean out any oil in the electrical connector.

P0113 (intake air sensor). Most likely a busted or disconnected sensor. The IAT is on the elbow of the air intake tube, before it enters the throttle body.

P0117 (coolant temp sensor voltage low). Could be a bad sensor or a short in the electrical connector/harness.

P0131 and P0038 (O2 sensors). Could be bad sensors or shorts in the wiring.

Again, considering how many sensors are reporting codes it seems unlikely that the sensors are all bad.

 

[MikeGT]

Thank you for your response mnunes.

After reading your post I went to take a look at a few things. For 1, incorrect battery for the car. Bad battery made sense to me because yesterday when I got in the car, time and radio presets were reset . Wasn't expecting to see a honda civic battery.

I also noticed bare wires on some of the sensors. I guess I'll be ordering some pig tails.

Also, I never disconnected the battery when I changed the sensor.

I'll change the battery tomorrow and try and clear the codes and see if they come back.



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[tanbam]

As a quick reference, sensor low codes usually indicate a short, and sensor high codes indicate an open.

If you've got a sensor low code, you can unplug the sensor and see if it changes to a high code. If it does, the sensor is probably bad. If not, you can have a short somewhere else in the cable.

If you get a sensor high code, you can remove the plug and short the wires on the harness to see if it turns into a low code. If it does, again the sensor is likely bad. If not, you probably have an open wire somewhere in the cable.

 

[MikeGT]

That is very good info to know. Thank you tanbam.

Question, the wires on this car look to be dry rotted in spots. And the pass side valve cover is leaking and some of the wires are coated. Could this cause the issue?


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[MikeGT]

An update on what I got going on. I changed the bat, cleared the codes. Now I only have 2 returning codes. P0038 and P0131.


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[Ddaddy]

An update on what I got going on. I changed the bat, cleared the codes. Now I only have 2 returning codes. P0038 and P0131.


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Both of those are 02 sensor codes for the same sensor. You need to replace the driver's side rear 02 sensor. Use OEM only. Aftermarket sensors don't play well with these cars. Check the wiring while you are changing it.

 

[MikeGT]

Thank you Ddaddy.

I'm sure the wires are garbage. I'll order a pigtail as well when I get the sensor.

Where exactly is it on the driver side? Easy to get to? I'm new to the forums so I'm not sure if anyone has posted a schematic.


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[Ddaddy]

Thank you Ddaddy.

I'm sure the wires are garbage. I'll order a pigtail as well when I get the sensor.

Where exactly is it on the driver side? Easy to get to? I'm new to the forums so I'm not sure if anyone has posted a schematic.


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It's behind the cat on the driver's side exhaust pipe. You can get to it easily with the car jacked up.

 

[MikeGT]

Thank you again.

This forum is fantastic. Fast and accurate responses .

My Fiancé told me if I keep spending my time on the car I would be sleeping in it. So I'm sure you can imagine after I woke up this morning and crawled out the rear passenger door and realized how informative and useful this forum is, I was very happy.

Greatly appreciated.


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