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Marc S.
Dodge Dakota
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3/25/2003
08:06:04
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 Subject: Heater COre replacement
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I have a 2000 Sport with a/c that I'm virtually positive has a small leak in the heater core, in the course of trying to find out if I can do it myself i'm getting 2 different answers as to wether the a/c system has to be purged or not, and frankly I don't trust anything the dealer tells me. Does anyone know for sure?
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Izzy
Dodge Dakota
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3/25/2003
08:36:32
|  RE: Heater Core replacement
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Right up my alley as I just did the Evaporator on my 2000 CC. That item is located in the same area as the evaporator is located and that meant having to not only remove the heater hoses but AC lines ging through firewall also. I would have had to drain my AC system had my evaporator not already blown and leaked out.
Had to pull the dash, 1 bolt behind each left and right kick panels and 2 at the bottom center of the dash will release the dash and let you move it. You gotta remove 4 nuts holding the steering wheel up and let it lay down on the floor board.
Unhook your AC controls and then pull the vacuum hoses from the controls. Several wiring harness plugs later (5 behind drivers side of dash, 1 at top center of windshield and another in that same area but kinda long, and 1 for airbags at bottom back center of dash) you'll be able to pretty much set the dashboard into the seats (I recommend an extra person to help you as its pretty bulky).
Now its engine compartment time for 1 nut on the drivers side and 3 on the passenger side (1 of which holds the AC accumulator bracket on, another which is short and hard to see, I found from looking up from bottom) and the AC/Heater core unit will pull away from the inner firewall. A dozen or so screws and several vacuum hoses later you'll crack the cover of that unit and there are both the heater core and evaporator units.
*** While your there, clean them both and inspect the evaporator so you don't have to come back in 6 months to replace it too.
I wish I had taken some pics as I was replacing my Evaporator, might have made things a little easier for you. I hope this helps you out.
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Marc S.
Dodge Dakota
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3/25/2003
11:59:58
|  RE: Heater COre replacement
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Message:
The info you gave me will help alot, now if I can just get a decent price for someone to vac out the a/c system and recharge it after I'm done! Better set aside a whole weekend for this job I guess. I have to say with 54000 miles on the truck and all the other little things I've had to fix on a 2yr old truck, I'm not impressed with the factorys quality control. Next truck may be another brand(and yes I know they all have their problems) but this is starting to get a little ridiculous considering I'm still paying for the truck for another 2-1/2 years. Rant Over
Again thanks for the info!
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Izzy
Dodge Dakota
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3/25/2003
12:23:55
| RE: Heater COre replacement
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Message:
Sutre thing. I have had good luck with mine so far considering I ran my 3 yr/36000 mile warranty out in the first 13 months with the length of driving I have to do to get to and from work.
I had to dealership replace my front rotors at something like 12k miles after the dealership had turned them 2 times already. Other than a computer flash here and there I have had no problems.
My evaporator was a biggy but then again, I bought my truck in Sept of 99, live in Florida so I run my AC 25 hrs a day 8 days a week. I am not surprised to have AC problems. Doing this job myself educated me a lot about that part of a vehicle. I know feel more confident in my abilities to do other repairs on my own vehicle in the future.
Just pay attention to what you do as you do it. I grouped all my screws together with masking tape and labeled it where they came from, the wiring harness plugs were pretty straight forward, none of them could go into a different spot than they were intended to go due to their shape, you just gotta remember how many you pulled. I also pulled the 2 air bag fuses in the fuse block inside the drivers door in addition to pulling the negative on the battery the night before. This way there was no chance of any current left in the air bag system when I started pulling things apart.
I didn't replace the fuses or plug the battery back in until the had verified all plugs and grounds were secured and connected into their correct places.
***There are grounds inside each kick panel by the dash bolt and another by the airbag sensor/module in center backside of bottom of dash.
A few months back, I purchased a factory repair manual for the 2000 Dakota on Ebay for a li'l over $60. While the bok didn't go into every specific detail about the job, it did help trmendouosly and probably wuld not have been so eager to attempt the job without it. Check into one of these books, they tell you gobs of info.
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Marine1
Dodge Dakota
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3/25/2003
12:24:42
| RE: Heater COre replacement
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Message:
What is it with Chrysler heater cores??? Jeeps, cars, trucks? If its a Chrysler it will have HC problems. Seems to stick with the 2000s and newer models.
Rob
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1999 Dodge Dakota CC Sport 4X4
5.2L 3.92 Auto
"If the Army and the Navy ever look upon heaven's scene, they will notice that the streets are guarded by United States Marines"
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