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Pickups Dodge Dakota Dodge Dakota Owners-Archived Discussions Dodge Dakota: Problems & Solutions 
4362 messages, Last post on Oct 18, 2006 at 9:06 PM
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I recently inherited a 1992 Dodge Dakota extended cab with the 5.2 V8 engine with 130,000 miles on it. Runs and drives great most of the time. My problem is ever now and then, maybe once every couple weeks it won’t start. If I wait a day or two it will start back up. When I say it won’t start it will crank over but not fire. Sometimes it might start but sputter for a second or two and then die. I have already replaced the fuel filter but problem still there. I have now noticed that after I put gas in the tank the next time I go to start, it won’t. I’m really leaning towards the fuel pump being replaced its just very expensive and hard to do. I thought the not starting right after I put gas in might be a big clue as to what is wrong for the people who have been around Dodges. Any help would be much appreciated. *One more question. Do you have to pull the entire door panel off to replace the window switch? If not how do you do it? Thanks for any help.
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Replying to: live77 (Nov 16, 2004 9:57 am) Your vintage Dakota did have a problem with fuel pumps. As I recall there was a upgraded replacement pump that fixed the flaw in them. Yeah, they're pricey, but Auto Zone or other atuo parts stores may have a better price. Whether you'll get a quality unit is unknown. The other problem I've seen in those years was just plain lousy aftermarket ignition parts. I have repaired a numer of them in those years by just replacing the spark plug wires, cap, and rotor with Chrysler parts, even though the aftermarket stuff was not very old. This is especially true of the spark plug wires. I'm not saying all aftermarket is bad. Some of them are decent quality. But some of the stuff is not good. I'd first check to see if you're getting fuel. You could have a bad pump, a clogged fuel filter, a bad fuel pressure regulator, or lost electrical power to the pump or other fuel system components. I'd next check to see if your getting spark. If not them you need to troubleshoot the ignition system. You could have a failed catalytic converter. This could prevent the engine from starting, but when it does run it would be lacking in power as well. Make sure the air filter is not clogged. Although it's rare to see an engine fail to start because of a clogged air filter, I have seen it happen. Good luck, Dusty
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My '03 Dakota 4.7 automatic (33600 miles) exhibited a loud noise a week or so ago on a cold start. It sounded like the accessory drive belt was slipping. This noise continued for about four minutes. I later noticed that there was a whirring or bearing growl that could be heard in the passenger compartment. This growl was heard for another few days. While driving across town one night I heard what sounded like nuts and bolts being launched from something under the hood. I stopped and checked the engine but everything seemed okay. I drove it away and for a few days more and it seemed okay except the bearing growl that varied with engine speed was still present. Now my Dakota is normally fairly quiet, but one night the engine noise was about 5x than normal and the truck seemed like the brake was slightly on at higher speeds. This sounded exactly like the Clutch Fan was engaged all the time. My gas mileage seemed to indicate a sudden full 1 to 1.5 MPG drop, too. I also began noticing that after the engine was shut off chirping noises could be heard for 5-10 seconds. As I suspected, a trip to the Dodge dealer confirmed that the Clutch Fan had bit the dust. A new one as made my Dakota very quiet again and the gas mileage took an immediate jump upwards. Last winter I would occasionally hear some chirps at cold start that I thought was the drive belt, but now I think it was the Clutch Fan. Anyway, I hope this might benefit someone just in case any of you start getting any of these symptoms. Bests, Dusty |
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Dusty, The fan clutch on my 02 QC 4.7 also exhibited occasional squealing noises during a cold start. It took the dealer some time to diagnose it, though. However, it didn't self-destruct like your's did. |
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Replying to: dustyk (Nov 17, 2004 5:19 pm) *Do you know if you have to take the door panel off to replace the window switch? It looks like the cover around the switch would pop off but I sure don't want to break it. Thanks again.
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Replying to: live77 (Nov 18, 2004 8:02 am) Just use extreme care while prying with a flat-bladed screwdriver. Good luck, Dusty |
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Here is a photo of what my powerslot rotors looked like after 3 Vermont winters. (I snapped this just moments before I took them to the dump and shotputted them into the scrap-metal bin!) http://hometown.aol.com/peebs4u2/powerslot_after_3winters.jpg Now, I am running Bendix rotors and time shall tell if they are any better at resisting the winter roadsalt. As a reminder... the ORIGINAL Dodge Dakota rotors lasted thru only 2 Vermont winters.
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| THey must use some really nasty road salt in VT! | |
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Replying to: bpeebles (Nov 20, 2004 6:28 pm) Norm (Bookitty) |
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I have a 01 4.7 Dakota. I also have a trouble code PO161. O2 Sensor Heater Circuit Malfunction (Bank 2 Sensor 2). Anybody know where this sensor is located on the engine? Truck still runs good,(37 miles). I would like to fix this myself if I knew where this sensor was located. Thanks, in Atlanta |
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