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
On the 97 Dakota, does the PCV valve have a sensor that trigger the warning message? Or must it be coming from some other cause?
p.s. I have heard also that the Dakota is notorious for displaying these messages for possibly no valid reason at all, and that they may be often be "ignored".
Any comments are appreciated!
Have you checked for the presence of an active diagnostic trouble code in the display?
Regards,
Dusty
Thanks
Now the GOOD news -- Most of you may recall that I am running REDLINE lubricants in all the gearcases (front axle, rear axle, xfer case and manual tranny)
The loss of lube in the rear-axle did NOT harm the expensive gears and bearings in any way.
I have since replaced the seal and re-filled with REDLINE gear lube. I chatted with the REDLINE dealer when I purchesed the lube and told him the story about losing the gear-lube on a long trip with an load in the back. He mentioned that he has seen racecars running REDLINE in the rear-axle that have lost the fluid during the race... no damage to them either. REDLINE is so far superiour to most other lubricnats that it protects where other lubes cannot.
I cannot say enough good things about REDLINE lubes ( http://www.redlineoil.com/ ) Not only did they give me 3 -to- 4 MPG better fuel milage, they also saved me an expensive rebuild of my rear-axle.
Thanks for your reply, and for clarifying that the PCV valve doesn't have a dedicated sensor. No, I haven't checked for the presence of an active diagnostic code because I don't have the interface to do so (Dodge cleverly has kept that out of owners' hands in order to force us to dealerships). Wish that I did have the interface; I do have a Fluke meter.
I also heard that discoonnecting the battery for a few minutes, and restarting should allow the on-board computer to reset. I believe I've tried this and the Check Engine light persisted.
Any other thoughts/advice?
2500 to 3000 rpms, there's a pinging sound and the throttle hunts up and down for a little until I put it in gear. After motor has warmed up, the problem doesn't return until truck
has cooled down overnight. I have new plugs, cleaned the throttle body about 6 months ago. Has anyone else had this problem? I plan on taking it to the dealer.
I suspect the TPS?
My truck has just turned 60K miles, still on the orginal GY Eagle LS tires and brakes.
I figure I'll need tires soon and I'll put the same tire back on.
Thanks,
I clean mine at least annually. It is easy to do and the idle quality is noticably improved.
Also, look for an vacuum leak.
Starting with the ignition switch in the "off" position, rotate the ignition key as follows (do not go to the "start" position):
on-off-on-off-on
Observe the oddometer's vacuum flouresent display and wait a few seconds. If you have an active code ("P" codes) they will be displayed in sequence. After all active codes are displayed the word "done" will be displayed.
Best regards,
Dusty
Thanks for your post, and the news that I can in fact access the codes. The bad news is that your procedure didn't reveal the codes. A coworker found this clever site:
http://www.i-hacked.com/content/view/95/45/
which had a procedure that seemed to work:
"To get the codes, put the key into the ignition, push down the odometer reset button, then turn the key to RUN with your finger on the button - and then release the button. The odometer will go through 1111111 through 999999, then display the car's serial number, then show the error codes starting with P."
The display did not "go through 1111111 through 999999, then display the car's serial number" but it did display two 3-digit numbers (one after the other):
950
999
Unfortunately, neither of these codes is in the long list posted at the above link!!
Have you any insight into '950' or '999' ?
Do you have a better list of such codes?
Thanks.
I beleive on your 2002, the blower-resistor is accessed from behind the glovbox.
What you did perform is the Instrument Cluster test.
The 950 code is "The instrument cluster is not receiving an ABS lamp-on message from the CAB." Basically, there is a problem in the anti-lock braking system and the "ABS" lamp is not illuminating, or the anti-lock brake controller (CAB) failed to give a self-test "ABS" lamp on signal when the engine was first started.
The 999 code is "An error has been discovered." This is just a verification code that there's a problem. This was in effect generated by the 950 fault.
Regards,
Dusty
glad all the gears and bearings are OK. Another solid testimonial for REDLINE.
dataguru
2 screws and is very easy to replace, buy two at a time and keep one in the glove box, cheap fix but very annoying upon breaking
Problem is, that after removing the 2 bottom screws, the bezel still won't budge. Are there "hidden screws" or releases?
:confuse:
I hear about "P" codes, but I see no such letter on the (odometer) readout.
Does anyone have a list of complete codes for this Dakota?
Thanks.
When you performed the procedure that I described to you, did you get a "P done" in the oddometer display? If you did, there were no codes stored. When you perform this test the ignition switch transitions from on-to-off and off-to-on must be smooth and evenly timed in moderate succession. Going too fast or too slow will confuse the PCM logic. In addition, all doors should be closed and no other accessories or lights be operating.
What you did perform is the Instrument Cluster test.
The 950 code is "The instrument cluster is not receiving an ABS lamp-on message from the CAB." Basically, there is a problem in the anti-lock braking system and the "ABS" lamp is not illuminating, or the anti-lock brake controller (CAB) failed to give a self-test "ABS" lamp on signal when the engine was first started.
The 999 code is "An error has been discovered." This is just a verification code that there's a problem. This was in effect generated by the 950 fault.
Regards,
Dusty
Thanks.
Jody
Thanks all the same, Dusty - that helped clear up a bit on the 950 code.
I went back and - again - tried to elicit the infamous P-code. I used your instructions to the letter - even closed doors and shut down all accessories. ZIPPO!
Off-On-Off-On-Off-On
All I see in the odometer is a readout of my mileage. And the cussin' Check Engine light is on (Actually, yesterday it was OFF all day!).
I wish I could figure out just what the trick is to reveal the P-code. Can't imagine what I'm doing wrong. Seems very temperamental ...
Is it possible I won't/can't get a P-code, and that the Check Engine is actually from the (very minor in my book) 950 ABS fault? Just a thought ...
tommy
stevem1961
Regards,
Dusty
Carl
I tell you, I have had nothing but problems with this vehicle since I bought it brand new. :lemon: