2010 Dodge Journey Engine Light

VREYNOLDS608

MEMBER
2010 DODGE JOURNEY
3.3L
V6
AWD
AUTOMATIC
96,209 MILES

This morning I was driving my truck and stopped for gas, I should mention that we have had very heavy rain in the area for the last couple of days. After getting gas my truck was running really rough, I proceed on my commute to work as I was on the freeway, my truck seemed hesitant to pick up speed when I tried to accelerate. Finally I picked up speed but it still wasn't running smooth. I thought it could be because of all the water. I let it sit for my 9hour shift, when I came back on, it started up fine but still running very rough, I began my commute home and the engine light came on first it was blinking then stayed on steady, I went and got a reading which says, ECM has detected a rich or lean Air /fuel ratio, condition on bank 2 probable cause:if bank one and two are set together suspect a fuel pressure or MAF sensor fault, failed HO2S21(heated oxygen sensor - bank2) Sensor 1 ignition misfire condition, fuel injection problem. Can you guys please help me understand all of this and give your expert advice.

1 Reply

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,727 POSTS

Yup. The rough running is due to a misfire. At the mileage you listed, you're past due for new spark plugs.

The Flashing Check Engine light means stop the engine right away to prevent overheating and damaging the expensive catalytic converter. Too much unburned fuel is going into the exhaust system, and that is the typical result of a misfire

The diagnostic fault code you got is from a generic code reader. Chrysler is the only manufacturer that has been able to make an engine run right without a mass air flow, (MAF) sensor. They use only the MAP sensor. When you have a misfire caused by a spark plug issue, that cylinder will send unburned fuel and air into the exhaust system. It's that fuel that will overheat the catalytic converter, but it's the unburned oxygen that gets detected by the oxygen sensors. That's why it will set a "lean" fault code and you'll smell gas at the tail pipe.

The place to start is with a simple tune-up. Don't go looking for uncommon or expensive solutions until you try the most likely one first.