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dirtynails
Dodge Dakota
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8/19/2008
08:35:25

Subject: EGR light
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Still working on my 87 Dakota. We rebuilt the engine (3.9 liter 6 cyl.) and put on a new (rebuilt) carburetor. We connected everything but before we actually hit the starter, we turned the key to "on" just to see if we had power and if we would smoke something. We got and EGR light on the dash. We have never seen this before. We looked at the EGR valve and there is no electrical connector. How can we cause an EGR light to come on before we even cranked the engine?
Also, what sensor is actually setting this EGR light? Is it the O2 sensor? There is only one O2 sensor on this vehicle and it is a single wire sensor. Could the sensor be "dirty" from our engine rebuild?

I'm at a loss on this one. Any help is appreciated.



?
Dodge Dakota
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8/19/2008
09:31:10

RE: EGR light
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Do the key -on--off-on--off-on--off-on
as per
http://www.troublecodes.net/chrysler/87-89trk.shtml
Count the flashes to get the code .
It is not necessarily the EGR that is giving you this..
Possible some other wire not reconnected ???



dirtynails
Dodge Dakota
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8/19/2008
09:49:55

RE: EGR light
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Will do. Thanks for the help. I will let you know what I find.



J and J Auto
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8/20/2008
00:25:45

RE: EGR light
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start it up

If you had any of the sensors disconected and
turned the key on you would get a code before
even starting it

Larry
J&J Auto

dirtynails
Dodge Dakota
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8/20/2008
07:09:15

RE: EGR light
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We went through the procedure to get the codes. We get nothing. No flashing anything on the dash. Not even the 55 at the end.

I think everything is hooked up correctly. At least we don't have any unhooked wires.



Bob Lincoln
Dodge Dakota
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8/20/2008
08:05:02

RE: EGR light
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EGR light is probably just a bulb test at ignition on.



dirtynails
Dodge Dakota
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8/22/2008
20:40:26

RE: EGR light
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OK folks. Thanks to all the help I've received, we have this puppy running. We ended up replacing the spark control computer but now it seems to start and run fine. At least sitting still. It idles fine and revs fine. However, when we put it in gear and try to drive it, it has no (very little) acceleration. It doesn't die or start to run rough or anything like that. But when you step on the gas, almost nothing happens. I am hoping you guys can point me in the right direction. Remember, we rebuilt the engine and have a rebuilt carburetor on it. Perhaps the timing needs a tweak? or maybe the carb needs a slight adjustment? It can't be much because it runs fine under no load.
Thanks for the help.

Mark



dirtynails
Dodge Dakota
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8/24/2008
08:01:49

RE: EGR light
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Latest update is we had a timing issue. Now that we have the timing set right, it runs good. The spark control computer took care of the EGR light and getting the timing set has fixed the acceleration/power problem. Now we just need to do some break-in miles and hopefully it will be set for a long time.

Thanks for all the suggestions.

Mark



dakota49
Dodge Dakota
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8/24/2008
18:01:08

RE: EGR light
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dirtynails, when you rebuilt the engine did you replace the Harmonic balancer? some times if you reuse the old one the timing marks could be off because the outter ring could have slipped, causing the timing to be off just a little. Since you have an 87 you should be able to move the timing a little and experiment to see where it runs the best, mine is an 88 and I only use a timing light to see where I am and how much I have moved it. Then I check by test driving and see if it pings a lot, or a little. And readjust if it needs it. I reajusted mine about 3-4 times just after I put my engine back together. I am getting 18 mpg around town and 22 on highway, but I have gotten as much as 24plus on highway I just look at those times as a fluke though.
I am sure the Mag engines can do a lot better than mine. I did a few extra things with mine and it helped my fuel mileage as well.
Good Luck
Dakota49
1988 3.9 4X4 5speed



dirtynails
Dodge Dakota
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8/24/2008
21:15:00

RE: EGR light
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Dakota49
Thanks for the tips. We did replace the balancer.

Here's how we got fooled initially. The timing spec is 7 deg BTDC with a couple of vacuum lines plugged etc. Without disconnecting and plugging anything, we were reading about 5 deg BTDC and it was running fine (in park). So we thought we couldn't be far off. When we finally did the timing check, we were off a lot and I think the spark control computer was making some adjustments to get it to run right. Once we got the timing right, it runs good. My son has been driving it around today to get some break-in miles and it seems to be performing well. I will tell him about checking the timing periodically here in the early miles to see if it changes.

Thanks again.

Mark



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