Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see May lease deals!
Options
Dodge Dakota: Problems & Solutions
This discussion has been closed.
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
TSB is a heads up for the dealers of a potential problem, so yes they are aware - but take a copy anyway. They will probably try and convince you that your problem is unrelated, but bottom line is that a TSB is designed to fix a problem that was caused by a design / build weakness and you are entitled to get it fixed.
In practice it means running the truck at 4500+ revs in 3rd or (maybe) 4th for 4 or 5 miles, or kicking the automatic into 2 from drive for the same distance. Gets the engine's juices flowing and cleans the crud. You can really see the difference in the exhaust of the XJ-S really kicks out some soot, I suspect it may be because the cylinders are fairly small (12 cyl / 5.3L) but the effect works on anything to a greater or lesser extent.
Note - it has to be under load, sitting in neutral on your driveway won't do it.
Spaghetti wires - oh yes - Lucas electrics :-)
I appreciate your response.
Carl
"Parts" came in, took it in yesterday. They claim that some trans vent hoses are fine, some need the hose shortened, and some need it replaced - mine was in the 3rd category. I guess they fixed it; the service writer didn't know where it was, and the tech was already gone when I picked it up...
I also had it in for the 'Wheel Grind TSB'. This was my 4th visit for this one - yes if I want to be a real problem I'm into lemon territory. They replaced right front diff axle bearing and seal "to correct noise (N/C)". But its still making the same noise. The boots on both ends of the right front axle have no fingerprints on them at all. What do I think happened? I'll leave it to your imagination...
But the question now: Do I spend time trying another dealer? Do I go to DC Corporate? Do I tell the dealer I'm returning it? I love the truck, this is my only complaint. There is a legitimate TSB on the problem, and I think any decent service dept. should be able to fix it, Negherbon Dodge in Oakland, CA just dosen't seem to have a decent service dept. Advice would be most appreciated...sorry for the long post, but hopefully we can all learn something about dealing with uncooperative / ignorant service departments.
Thanks
Ben
They may not be cheating YOU but could be billing DC for warantee work not preformed. HOWEVER, I know that DC mandates that all parts replaced under warantee must be RETURNED to DC. (DC knows there are cheaters out there too!)
BOTTOM LINE... your problem is not solved...keep the pressure on them.
I called the zone office and made a complaint and several weeks later I got a call back from the dealer. He said "I thought that we had the problem resolved." How do you like that!!! The zone office just referred it back to the dealer.
No wonder trucks cost so much.
This one really makes my blood boil. I've been lurking for months, but had to respond to this one.
This is not sour grapes as I own a 93 Dakota club cab 4x4, 318 ci with 176,000 miles and a 2000 Dak. Quad 4x4, 4.7/auto.
I STAY AWAY from Bledsoe Dodge tho'
http://www.lucasoil.com/Product_Information/info10003.htm
Home Page: http://www.lucasoil.com
You can get it at truck stops, Hi-Lo auto parts, Oreilley, and Carquest. It is hard to find but at $7.00 per quart, it lasts a long time!
My results in the last 5 yrs w/ Lucas:
92 van w/ Fuel injected 318 154K miles
95 dodge diesel truck 220K
95 dodge diesel 100K miles
87 toyota corrola - carburator 240k miles
00 quad cab w/4.7 11.5k miles
None of these vehicles have had an injector cleaned yet. The toyo will be going in for carb adjustments in the next two weeks, but it is for other reasons.
I use 1 oz lucas for every 2 gals of fuel (gas or diesel) i.e.: 24 gal tank = 12 oz lucas. I do this whenever I see problems or sometimes every 4th or 5th tank so a quart of cleaner lasts a long time.
I have used fuel from oilfield locations & farm storage tanks with no problems that Lucas could not clear up.
Sorry for the long post - just wanted to give as much detail as I could. I really think Lucas is worth the money vs 200 - 250 for injector cleanings.
PDS
Checked with a very knowledgeable and up to date Service Manager who was very familiar with this issue. I was advised that the problem addressed in the TSB #130100 affects vehicles with "torsion" bar suspensions, ie; mostly 4WD vehicles. 2WD Dakotas for the most part are not affected since they do not have "torsion" bars. They have front stabilizer bar and coil spring suspensions and therefore do not have the problem with the torsion bar not being seated all the forward in the a-arm etc.
Carl
Course I let the thing idle a 'bit' out in the W TX heat once in a while (110 degrees) - with the A/C running. Can't blame D/C for that one, eh? ;-)
You bring up a good point I am not sure you realize.... DC is using ISO (International Standards Organization) relays in the Dakota.
These relays meet strict standards and cost a bit more than "auto grade" relays. This also hints towards the quality that DC is trying to achieve.
Even the connectors in the electrical system are above-average quality. (For an automobile)
I have been working in the computer industry supporting 2 Million dollar computer systems at the WORLDS premere semiconductor FAB for 19 years. ... I KNOW quality when it comes to electronics.
Mine was made the end of February, how bout yours?
Ricks12
You must work at Big Blue, in Essex Junction? Intel, in Oregon, would give you grief over the "premier fab," they have a few out there that are pretty top notch....
KnK
JAM
Miraculously, my last 3 tanks have averaged 18.5MPG with ABSOLOUTLY NO CHANGE in my driving pattern over the last 6 months!
How is this possible?
1) Could the "extremely hot" mid-summer AC usage put a 5% efficiency drain on this 4.7 V8 engine?;
2) Would one expect to see increased internal drag on the engine in these hot "dog days" of summer;
3) Would hot humid air cause this efficiency loss?, or;
4) Is there something changed in the fuel manufacturing process during the entire summer period?
Any thoughts?
Ed
The recall applies to 2000 4x4 Dakotas / Durangos and is described as "The front axle pinion nose bracket bolts .... may loosen after an extended period of time. Loose pinion nose bracket bolts can cause the left and right axle attaching brackets to break off, leaving the axle supported only by the axle shafts. This may also cause front axle and / or propeller shaft damage."
Oops!!!
The repair is top replace the bolts (1/2 hour job).
I guess that some problems are to be expected on new pieces (the 4x4 axle was new for 2000), but this seems like a fairly fundamental thing to get right.
I happened to be taking my 2000 Dak in to the dealer today and I asked about a "upcoming recall that deals with the front wheels breaking off"
The service manager calmly poked at the keyboard, pulled a stack of about 5 sheets of paper from the printer and wrote RECALL #889 on the work order.
BTW... my Passengers-side steering rack boot is "coming apart" and is being replaced under warantee. The boot looks like a cat sharpened its claws on it and ripped lots of little holes in it.
At that thime they replaced a Timer Control Module under the dash I believe. I washed my truck last night and now the problem is back!
It seems to me that there must be some wiring connection getting wet. Has anybody else had this fixed and can you steer me in the right place to look before I head off to the dealer again?
Other than this I have had no problems with my truck at all.
2000 QC Sport 4.7 auto, power overhead conv. factory alarm 12,000 miles so far
Today, he pulled out the "secret binder" and showed me a new twist on this. There is officially a TSB that has two part numbers to order.
NEW OIL CAP ===>53032389AC
BAFFLE=========>53032126AA
I already have the new oil cap but the BAFFLE is new to me. The way he described it, the oil-fill assy. is replaced with a unit that is better insulated from the cold air from the fan.
My BAFFLE is on order...
Is there something being replaced or is DC just acknowledging it?
So far I have 7200 miles. best truck I EVER owned!
best mileage so far is almost 17 mpg on highway and usually around the high 14's city. LEAD FOOT!
I recently changed oil (6 qts) od Mobil 1 with a mobil filter. I can't see much of an mileage improvement at this point.
I would like to thank everyone in this forum for the valuable information that you are providing.
this service manual that is constantly being mentioned, where can I get one? Thru DC or other?
thanks again to all
mentioned, where can I get one? Thru DC or other?"
Look in the back of your owners manual. There should be ordering information. It is supplied by Helm. Inc, think the price was just over$100 with shipping when I got mine for the 2000 Quad. I thought I'd seen somewhere if you order for a 2001 you get a 2000 book with supplements for the 2001. Rick
Also, on P.200, regarding rear axle fluid levels,
would the above truck have the 8 1/4" or the 9 1/4" axle? Thanks for your thoughts.
The 8.25 has less (I think 10 bolts.)
The original question about WHICH VEHICLES got the 8.25 or 9.25 installed is a good question.
Perhaps the 9.25 is on ALL 4x4s and the 8.25 is on the 2wd?
on the 2wd?"
I've got the 4.7 5spd 2wd and have the 3.55 9-1/4
LSD, so much for that theory. My previous 93CC 5.2 auto had the 3.55 8-3/8 LSD. Rick
My stickers fell off months ago...However there is
a more robust metal tag under one of the Diff.
bolts that has the same info.size
(iowabigguy)
OK... so it is NOT 2WD -vs- 4WD
QUESTION:
Does ANYONE have a 10-bolt rear end on their dak?
a 350 pound motorcycle onto my truck and want to know whether I can ride it up (another 200 lbs)or must walk it up, or even unhook the tailgate and place the ramp on the truck bed itself. Are the tailgates internally reinforced with metal or just hollow sheetmetal? Your comments would be appreciated.
I do not however ride my bikes into the truck bed, I walk along side of it while loading.
I have carried 2 dirtbikes ( a KDX and a KTM )
on weekend riding trips with lots of gear and no problems at all. I also have ridden an atv into the back of the truck with out trouble.
I have a bed extender that I use with the tailgate down. I would suspect that the gate will hold you and the bike no problem as long as the bike is reasonable size ( not a GoldWing or something!!) I have a Line-X spray-in bedliner which may help stiffen the bed somewhat.
I bought a bumper today at the Levan Group in Oakland, CA, chrome, with step and plastic top, looks perfect, includes brackets,tax, etc..$187.11! I'll pull off the old one, do the touch up myself, put the new bumper on, and save almost $1200! The reason for posting this: Levan is online - www.levan.carshopnet.com
It really pays to check around.
Not crying anymore. How many beers do you guys estimate this job at?
Ben
Bookitty
I started hearing a metal to metal sound (rattle) under my 99 slt dakota. It has 27k miles. I am thinking engine or transmission. I took it in to a dealer and he tells me that it is the catalytic converter. The carbon honeycone interior of the converter apparently has been braking down on the 99 and some 00 models. Anyway they ordered a new one and replaced it last week. The converter has a federally mandated 8yr/80k mile warrantee, so it was a free fix.
As vehicles start to last longer... the feds are trying to ensure that the emmisions are controlled that long as well.