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CJ
Dodge Dakota
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4/07/2005
20:26:37
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 Subject: 99 Dak stubles , very inconsistant.
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Hello.
I have a 1999 Dodge Dakota 4x4 w/ the 3.9 V-6, auto, 3.92 rear end. it has 85k miles on it.
Within the last week, my engine started to stumble around a bit. as of right now I will explain what is going on with it.
1) When I start the truck, its fine and idels at normal position ( just below 1k rpm.) But once I put it into gear (drive or reverse) the engine sputters and boggs down ( this occurs whether i keep my brake on the whole time without the truck moving, or whether I accelerate off the line.
2) At stop lights or stop signs ( whenever starting from zero speed) and when I hit the gas ( whether I feather it or punch it) it boggs down, stumbles for about 2 or 3 seconds. then once i get the RPM's up, its fine, and the rest of the shifts/accererations are sily smooth like day one. Once I get the truck moving its perfect, just starting from a stop it boggs.
3) this occured today and only once. when i parked my truck after driving it for about 15 mins, i put the truck in park, and right when it went into park the rpm's dropped all the way to 200rpm! the truck started to shack bad, then on its own ( i didnt touch the gas pedal at all during this) it reved itself up to 1500 rpms, and went back down to normal idling speed again. the thing was so close to staling.
Now This is what I have "heard" could be the cause ( too many thnigs by the way haha)
1) O2 sensors?
2) bad gas/water in gas
3) fuel pump
4) throttle body need cleaning
5) any of the many sensors that could become afu
6) spark plugs, wires, dist block etc.
Thats all i can remember right now.
I am also only 18 and have no mechanical experience. This is the first time I have had any type of engine problem ( even though this sound electrical) since I've had the truck. My dad has been a ford and chevy guy forever, and I sort of convinced him on thsi truck that I wanted to buy. But the dak has had numerous brake, suspension (bushings ball joints etc) problems and it just got out of the shop a few months ago. I cannot afford more repairs, and If i mention this problem to him hes gonna flip and sell the thing I bet and make me buy something else like a ford. Is there anything I could do to check whats going on. It seems to be getting worse, and its very very inconsistant. aka it doesnt matter if its a cold start or its been running for awhile, it could happen anytime. I'm planning on checking the plugs and distributor when it stops raining (seattle area, it might be a bit). Any help would be so much appreciated you wouldnt believe. I have no freakin clue what could be causing this. (all fluids are good and recently replaced such as tranny, oil, diff fluids, radiator fuild, etc so those are all checked up on. thanks)
Sorry for the long post, but it means a lot to me, Ive put alot of $$ and my own custom work on my truck.
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cj
Dodge Dakota
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4/07/2005
20:32:24
|  RE: 99 Dak stubles , very inconsistant.
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Wow sorry...stubles = stumbles/misses
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ehofer
Dodge Dakota
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4/07/2005
21:57:11
| RE: 99 Dak stubles , very inconsistant.
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If it was my truck i would be looking inton the throttle position sensor, its bolted to the side od the throttle body, dont really know what it costs think bout $45-50. Get a second opinion though. Maybe try taking it out it working it back and forth and see if it runs better when u out it back. That wont cure the problem but it will give you an idea of whats happening. Culd also jus works the throttle with the engine off to see if it imroves. If it improves it is the sensor but the problem will come back quickly .
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cj
Dodge Dakota
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4/08/2005
03:27:05
| RE: 99 Dak stubles , very inconsistant.
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Ok i'll look at it first. I'm not sure what you mean on how to check if its faulty? can i check it somehow or is it guess and check? Also, i have a 99 dakota, and if a code is thrown out by the pcm, wouldnt it appear on the digital odometer or wouldnt the "check engine light" come on? Or is it possible for a code to be given without ever knowing without getting it checked somewhere?
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cj
Dodge Dakota
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4/08/2005
03:29:03
| RE: 99 Dak stubles , very inconsistant.
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Ok i'll look at it first. I'm not sure what you mean on how to check if its faulty? can i check it somehow or is it guess and check? Also, i have a 99 dakota, and if a code is thrown out by the pcm, wouldnt it appear on the digital odometer or wouldnt the "check engine light" come on? Or is it possible for a code to be given without ever knowing without getting it checked somewhere?
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ehofer1984
Dodge Dakota
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4/08/2005
12:08:51
| RE: 99 Dak stubles , very inconsistant.
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No, unless it failed completely it would never trigger check enginelight, all that sensor does is when you step on the gas it turns that sensor and changes the output voltage, the computer reads that as you wanting to increase engine speed therefore adding more fuel via injectors. now if the is unwanted resistance in that sensor the voltage reading would change or be erratic therfore giving you unstable engine speed.
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cj
Dodge Dakota
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4/08/2005
12:32:54
| RE: 99 Dak stubles , very inconsistant.
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Oh I see how it works now. I know electical physics really well so I see how it works now.. I heard the IAC and TPS sensor are near the TB. How do i know whic his which? I plan on replacing both sensors (one or the other dependinbg if replacing one of them, the tps sensor first, works or not. How easy is it to replace the TPS sensor? Thanks alot your replies mean so much
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ehofer
Dodge Dakota
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4/08/2005
16:17:47
| RE: 99 Dak stubles , very inconsistant.
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Very easy, I cant tell you which is which though, I have a 4.7 some mines slightly different, just unplug sensor, remove the two screws, their torx bits don't know size offhand, and just simply pull sensor out, its o-ringed in so it wont just fall out so just pull on it and it should come out. If you wanted to do more testing on it you could check voltages, the input is 5V so output should be between 0-5v consistant with throtle movment. Their three wires, input, output, and ground.
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Bob Lincoln
Dodge Dakota
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4/08/2005
16:28:58
| RE: 99 Dak stubles , very inconsistant.
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Distributor shaft wobble, affecting injector timing. Common on this engine.
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cj
Dodge Dakota
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4/08/2005
21:04:12
| RE: 99 Dak stubles , very inconsistant.
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Ok I plan on checking the TPS sensor soon, probably this weekend. Thanks for both of your replies and I'll check them out. And by the way, who thought on where to put the distributer in this darn truck? its rediculous on how hard it is to get to.
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Carl
Dodge Dakota
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4/08/2005
21:50:52
| RE: 99 Dak stubles , very inconsistant.
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Had the same problem and found my speed sensor wiring rubbing up against the drive shaft to the point of shorting out. Cleaned it up and wrapped it and no more problems. The wiring routes are deplorable on dakotas.
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cj
Dodge Dakota
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4/09/2005
15:30:05
| RE: 99 Dak stubles , very inconsistant.
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speed sensor wiring rubbing on drive shaft huh? front or rear driveshaft? And where is the speed sensor located so i can follow the wiring from it to check that too? Thanks also. and what was occuring w/ ur engine Carl?
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cj
Dodge Dakota
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4/11/2005
15:29:23
| RE: 99 Dak stubles , very inconsistant.
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Well, I started looknig under the hood, and the distributer is fine, and am about to order a new tps sensor to see if that would solve the problem. I also then took the airhat off the throttle body and I noticed that on the 2 circle plates ( sorry i dont know the lingo, these plates i am talking about are the 2 plates that are inside the 2 cylindrical holes that open and close to let more or less air into the engine). But on these plates i notced some "crum" or dirt like build up on the plates edges. So before I order a new tps sensor, is there a way to clean the TB? How do you clean the TB the correct way(s). Do I have to remove it to clean it or can I spray some cleaner in there? I want to see if that helps before i order a new tps sensor incase a dirty TB is the problem...
Keep in mind that the rpm's (engine) on boggs down under 1300 rpms. Once its above 1300 rpms, the engine runs like new, so its just the low end rpm is bogging bad. Thanks for all your help guys
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daddio
Dodge Dakota
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4/11/2005
16:29:22
| RE: 99 Dak stubles , very inconsistant.
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instead of just throwing money at it, you can check the TPS with a digital volt meter.
put the positive wire in the center wire connected to the TPS and ground the negative.
turn the key on, DO NOT start the engine. read the voltage should be anywhere between 0.3 & 0.7 vdc. now move the throttle by hand slowly and watch the volmeter. at full throttle it should read around 3 to 4 vdc. release the throttle and if the voltage doesn't return to the original reading the TPS is probably bad.
if it does return, you probably need to clean the IAC on the back of the TB. if you're not sure try to find someone who can help or spend 20 bucks on a Haynes manual from the local parts store.
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cj
Dodge Dakota
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4/11/2005
19:42:54
| RE: 99 Dak stubles , very inconsistant.
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Awesome, I can easily do all that. And i plan on it soon. Thanks, i got the mulitmeter in the truck too. If the tps sensor is good, what should i clean the IAC sensor w/?
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daddio
Dodge Dakota
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4/11/2005
21:50:42
| RE: 99 Dak stubles , very inconsistant.
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the IAC is not a sensor. it is actually a stepper motor with a plunger. use a can of spray carb cleaner. it's on the back of the tb held on with 2 torx screws. take it out and don't lose the oring. soak the plunger on the IAC with carb cleaner really well and wipe it gently witha rag. don't twist, pull or push on it.
then spray in the tb where the plunger goes and wipe in there real good. if you take the tb off you would see where the plunger seats in the tb.
put it all back together. you may have to let the truck re-learn the idle. start it up and don't touch the throttle. let it run for about 1 minute, shut it off and repeat.
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CJ
Dodge Dakota
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4/11/2005
22:58:38
| RE: 99 Dak stubles , very inconsistant.
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Awesome, thank you all so much and I will try and diagnos both the tps sensor and the IAC and clean the TB. I'll let you know how she goes.
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