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Amy
Dodge Dakota
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3/03/2003
10:55:48
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 Subject: troubleshooting (long)
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Help!!!!
My 1997 dodge dakota has been running awful. So bad that it sputters and backfires, and runs very rough, and it shifts terrible. We just had it to the mechanic who replaced 2 fuel injectors, timing chain (which was bad), distributor something or other, new plug wires and changed the fuel filter. He even went so far as to remove the exhaust system and check it out. However, the truck still runs badly. The OBD say that it is a 12, which means "Open or shorted condition detected in the evaporative purge solenoid control circuit" (what does that mean in laymans terms. HELP!!!
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Jon
Dodge Dakota
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3/03/2003
12:32:36
|  RE: troubleshooting (long)
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It's an emissions thing. When fuel evaporates in your gas tank the vapors get sucked into a charcoal canister. At the right time (when the engines ready for it) the purge solenoid opens and lets fresh air into the charcoal canister which purges the fuel vapor out of the canister and into the engine. If it's stuck open it could make the engine run rich when it's cold or maybe even act as a vacuum leak (?). You could always pinch off the purge hose for a few miles and see if the truck runs better.
Why did he remove the exhaust?
Hopefully the guys not just throwing parts at it.
-Jon
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waterpolo
GenIII
3/03/2003
12:40:46
| RE: troubleshooting (long)
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Amy -- Just had a quick question, you said you had the fuel filter changed on your truck?? Reason i ask is because if i remember correctly our dakotas do not have fuel filters. The dodge dealer told me that they have a set up that is more of a mesh filter thats connected to the fuel pump in the tank. The only way to change this is to buy the whole part, pump with mesh filter (its one unit).
Alex
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Amy
Dodge Dakota
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3/03/2003
12:54:21
| RE: troubleshooting (long)
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Thank you for clarifying, this for me. It does almost seem like it is starved for fuel. I was thinking that it needed a whole new fuel pump. If I replace the fuel pump, will my fuel guage start working properly? So I am thinking that will be our next course of action. By the way, where do I find the evaporative fuel solenoid? One more question....
If it is a fuel and emission problem, would that make it shift improperly? If not I think I may have a transmission problem also...Lord, I hope not. Our mechanic was actually pretty fair with us, and even went as far as to not charge us for some things. I think he removed the exaust thinking it might have been a problem. I am not sure. I know I have so many questions, but I really like my truck and it really has been a good one up until now. By the way I have 109,000 miles on it. I guess things were bound to go wrong sooner or later. Thanks again.
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whitedakota2
Dodge Dakota
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3/03/2003
17:04:19
| RE: troubleshooting (long)
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Does it act this bad right away or after a little time?
Try this, as it is an emission problem with the evaporative purge solenoid control circuit, run the truck or better yet drive it a ways then stop and pull off the gas cap. If there is a large "shoosh" of air being pulled into the tank then that may be the problem. The tank is vented through the evaporative canister and if that gets plugged then the gas tank can develop a vacuum to the point it is hard to get fuel out of the tank. Try driving it after you have opened the tank an see if it improves any.
PS: there are filters on the gas line
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waterpolo
GenIII
3/03/2003
17:28:29
| RE: troubleshooting (long)
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whitedakota2 -- There are no filters on my gas lines, that’s why I went to the dodge dealer to ask them if they used fuel filters or not. Like I said before they told me that they have a different filtration system on the Dakotas that use this mesh like setup that’s attached to the fuel pump in the tank. If I remember correctly they said the whole assembly costs around $400.00. They did say I could add an external fuel filter if I wanted but they didn't recommend it.
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danny
Dodge Dakota
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3/03/2003
19:13:29
| RE: troubleshooting (long)
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Alright, let's start from the beginning....Amy your truck if I have the year correct is OBDII and you should have codes like P-????......Is it P-1495, leak detection pump solenoid circuit( this is an example).....maybe the mechanic needs to start at the beginning because to me it sounds like he is throwing parts at the truck.....has the concerns changed or gotten different since the mechanic started working on it?.......when working with codes one should use the recommended flow charts and NOT skip steps.....I have found that this will lead me to the fault and help me to find the correct solution to the concern.....Remember, check the basics and keep it simple....
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Jon
Dodge Dakota
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3/03/2003
19:40:08
| RE: troubleshooting (long)
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Alot of people find the evap system hard to understand and diagnose, plus it usually requires some special tools to test. The evap system can cause drivability problems but it is rare and since he through a bunch of other parts at it i would be interested in knowing if there were any other codes he found.
You might want to cut your losses and take it to a dodge dealer.
If the engine is running rough it can cause the transmission to act funny because it's not getting the right info from the engine computer.
-Jon
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whitedakota2
Dodge Dakota
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3/03/2003
19:59:39
| RE: troubleshooting (long)
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waterpolo
You are right and wrong.
Notice I said "on" not "in". The MPI systems need reel clean fuel so the injectors don't plug up. The "mesh filter" your dealer told you about is a fine filter on the end of the pump in the tank. It is the fuel filter. Adding another one would be pointless unless you purchase an ultra-fine filter with enough volume capacity to work.
They recommend these filters be changed at 100,000 miles. And you are right, the cost a lot.
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Amy
Dodge Dakota
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3/04/2003
08:46:55
|  RE: troubleshooting (long)
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you guys are really cool. I appreciate all your info. It is going to the shop today. While it is there I will be sure to tell my husband to tell the mechanic to follow the flow chart to the T. I have checked on the price for a complete fuel pump and found it at Discount Auto Parts for around $250.00. I told the mechanic all along that I think the problem lies in the fuel system somewhere. My husband thinks the problem is in the motor, but then again he has even said he doesn't know anything about these fancy fuel injected engines. I guess that's why he drives a Ford. hahahah. As far as removing the fuel cap, I have heard the "shoosh" sound. Yes it runs rough all the time, and then especially bad when it is in Drive. Thank you again for all your help.
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danny
Dodge Dakota
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3/05/2003
19:17:57
| RE: troubleshooting (long)
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Please post what the out come is.....
Kinda got me wondering.....
I work at a Dodge dealer.....
And enjoy working on the HARD TO FIX ones!!!!!
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Amy
Dodge Dakota
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3/06/2003
14:30:18
| RE: troubleshooting (long)
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Will Do. I am anxious to get it back, and drive it. Thanks
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Brent
Dodge Dakota
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3/06/2003
23:04:50
| RE: troubleshooting (long)
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amy, where do you get your work done? i live in naples florida, and there is a guy on marco that really helps me out. i read somewhere that you live in sw florida, get back to me. Snipebjs27@hotmail.com
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Tom101
Dodge Dakota
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10/01/2007
23:50:04
| headlights staying on
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I have a 1995 standard transmission Dodge Dakota and my
headlights won't go out . Does it have something to do with
a speed sensor or is it just a short?
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ftheabus
Dodge Dakota
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10/02/2007
08:39:30
| RE: troubleshooting (long)
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Why would you think a speed sensor would cause the headlights to stay on? Strange...
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Tom101
Dodge Dakota
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10/02/2007
11:55:50
| RE: troubleshooting (long)
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Sorry, new to this chat stuff- wrong topic. But as you ask,
because the headlights come on once you start in motion
the problem could be related to the speed sensor. ( the
lights come on automatically as safety thing for daytime
driving)
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daddio
Dodge Dakota
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10/02/2007
12:10:57
| RE: troubleshooting (long)
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that's weird. i've never seen a Dak with daytime running lamps. mine is an '00 and i don't have them.
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Tom101
Dodge Dakota
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10/02/2007
12:25:35
| RE: troubleshooting (long)
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Maybe it's only a Canadian thing.
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daddio
Dodge Dakota
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10/02/2007
12:55:38
| RE: troubleshooting (long)
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could be the CTM(central timer module) it controls things like that. can't tell you where it is though. maybe pick up a Haynes or Chiltons reapir manual for about $20 US.
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tom101
Dodge Dakota
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10/02/2007
13:00:23
| RE: troubleshooting (long)
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Got a chiltons- isn't helping too much.
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daddio
Dodge Dakota
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10/02/2007
13:54:32
| RE: troubleshooting (long)
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it should at least tell you where the CTM is. that is if your yr truck even has one.
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