I fixed my SRT PO221. . .Did I tell you that I can fix Throttle bodies now?
Gather near I suspect youll wanna watch this one!
Well I have gotten a real appreciation for the Crossfire as I have been studing and reading the manual and fault code lists trying to gain the edge on fixing my engine. At wide open throttle I would get a BAS/ESP fault light as the engine would STOP and let the car coast to a stop........Bummer Dude.
I have pulled and opened everything I could think of and asked everybody for thoughts and help..........Nothing came to the top and I was still limited. The PO221 code could be the throttle and also the main computer and the throttle body.........AARRUGH! Nothing seemed to make sense and I was stuck with a car that could not go full throttle, what a retarded situation that was.
WAS, yup I got the bug killed and Iam here to tell you what I located and how it was fixed. In the army I was taught how to kill snakes instantly, simply cut off their tail. When trouble shooting BIG BAD SNAKES you only need to determine which end had the biter.
The PO221 code was for throttle body and or Accelorator Pedal Position sensor (APP). I finally went to the pedal (gas) and pulled it and after inspection opened the $178 part that is not servicable. After studing it and taking photos I replaced it without any change or improvement.
After much study on the internet if became apparent that the throttle bodies can get out of calibration ( DRIFT ). This is a $700 dollars part and it is NOT SERVICABLE also. I pulled the throttle body (easy job - 10 minutes) and decided to open it up too. What the heck the cars not running well now so whats the biggy deal anyway.
The Throttle body has an electronic module on its side that is held on with some really classy clips like your SRT fan only different. In a clean area and with NO RUSH I dissassembled it like a live bomb, taking my time . This could end up as a one way trip to spending $700 if you are not really cool here.
With GREAT care I pried the modules apart with a small screw driver, you cant yank it apart with your hands. When separated the halves look like the pictures attached. The sensor is a pair of resistive patterns that the movable wipers run against.....DONT TOUCH ANYTHING With your fat dirty fingers.
I cleaned the pattern with some brake cleaner and blew off the excess to clean the pattern. The wipers were dirty and giving me a false reading as the car NOW runs all the way up without issue. Looking at the picture you can see the fine wire wipers that are geared to move with the throttle plate. As the throttle plate is moved by the electric motor driver, the resistor wipers change their readings indicating their positions to allow feeback to the computer control loop.
After I cleaned My sensor plate I very carefully put the two halves of this $700 assy back together and then rotated the plate to be sure that it felt smooth. Replacing the clips with my thumbs was very satisfying as I felt good about this fix, testing was of course FUN. After the Throttle Body was bolted up I went out and PUNCHED IT and it WAS GOOD.
Full power without any codes after all 4 speeds (Not 5th yet). Typically I would have nose dived in 2 seconds of full power, now its back to my good old car. YESS and it is great to have done it without the dealership, BTW they had no suggestions after looking into the system. But you know that the repair would have been parts and waiting for them to be SHIPPED in to them to TRY.
WEE I feel all tingly , could it be the disconnected CAI sound of the supercharger? Probably.
THIS I believe is going to be repeated in other cars mark my words. They are all built the same (SRT's) and similar errors faults will occure like kids with their teeth falling out in grade school. This is the power of the FORUM, may it all live long.
Study the photos and let me know what you think.
Fixed this one, Yess Iam Enjoying it now. Woody