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Don Rowan
Dodge Dakota
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3/20/2003
18:30:33
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 Subject: 1988 Dakota 4x4 stalling problem
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My Dakota spent 3 mos. at a shop for a stalling problem before they threw in the towell. It stalls without notice on the highway atr speed, around town, etc. Sometimes it backfires when I try to restart it, but typically won't start back up. The 02, MAP, Distributor, computer, plugs and wires, cap, rotor, fuel filter, and auto shut down relay have all been replaced without fixing the problem. A local Dodge dealer suggests looking at the crank position sensor. PLEASE HELP! I don't want to (but should) get rd of it. I have had these problems for the last 70,000 miles and have relaced all of the above-listed parts at least 3 times since 1996.
-Don
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00dak
Dodge Dakota
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3/20/2003
19:47:43
|  RE: 1988 Dakota 4x4 stalling problem
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Check your crank shaft position sensor, distributor, clean fuel system. stuff like that
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Metalgreendak
Dodge Dakota
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3/21/2003
05:35:30
| RE: 1988 Dakota 4x4 stalling problem
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Drop the gas tank and check the screen in there sounds like its clogging with years of buildup and just needs to be replaced or cleaned, my 87 did the same thing and I replaced the in tank stuff and it runs fine now.
Metalgreendak
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vern
Dodge Dakota
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3/21/2003
08:50:05
| RE: 1988 Dakota 4x4 stalling problem
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its an 88,don,t have a crank senor.check all your motor and computer grounds,this can cause stalling.
has anyone checked the fuel at the throttle body and spark at the plugs etc when it stalls to see if one or both are present?
check fuel pressure[about 14 psi]replace filter[sock]in tank.fuel pump maybe sticking[if its the same pump since this problem started]
speed sensor can cause stalling when coming to stop.
coil will cause stalling,back-firing and hard starting[they over heat]after it sets awhile the truck will start and run find until it heats up again.
you or who-ever works on your truck need to narrow some of the things down to fuel or fire problems.this will make it much easier to find the problem instead of just replacing parts.this aproach just cost you alot of money.
not to bad-mouth the shop that worked on your truck,but they should of took this aproach,not just your money with the same results.
hope some of these ideas help and good luck.
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BSAsteve
Dodge Dakota
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10/17/2003
10:29:56
| RE: 1988 Dakota 4x4 stalling problem
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I have a simillar problem with my 88 3.9 accept mine bucks and kicks when it warms up along with rough idle it can't get out of it's own way litterally. It's had a full tune up new 02 and i checked the map and tps both are good the other strange thing is that the ics motor hunts and therefore the idle floats around. Whene i pull the plugs they all look brand new as to suuggest a lean burn condition. the neg. back pressure egr was all ------- up so i put a block off plate under it and still had the problems i'm @ a loos how do i go about checking the regulator on the back of the tbi for proper opperation. Oh and my cat is gutted and mated to a $20.00 muffler
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Warwagon
Dodge Dakota
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10/26/2003
20:46:34
| RE: 1988 Dakota 4x4 stalling problem
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Went through this Shull Bit when my '88 had about 70K on her. Drove me ape sh!t. It once took me over 4.5 hours to go 37 miles with my wife and a newborn in the truck on a fridgid night. I took it to the Mopar garage and they put the scanner on it. Could only see "failed start" codes, but not anything that would indicate the cause. Told the mech. to take it for a drive with the scanner attached and see if it happened. He came back an hour later with no touble. He was about to give up and disconnect the scanner when he shut the door with the engine still running. It died. That's how it behaves I said. Without recycling the key he was able to determine at this point that the condition was caused by a bad distributer pickup.
When it stalls and refuses to start, pull the lid off of your aircleaner and have someone crank her while you look down the throat of the TBI using a mirror (use the mirror trick instead of your head in case it backfires). I'll bet you bones in britches that the injectors are not firing. If they are not squirting, they are not getting the signal to squirt. Pull the distributor cap, remove the reluctor pickup and get a new one from Dodge (Mine cost like $17 many moons ago) and replace it. I haven't had the trouble since. In this year rig the coil firing and the injectors firing is controlled by this one pickup in the distributor.
My friend who is a mechanic was fighting this with an '88 Ramcharger about a month ago and was stumped. He had replaced all of the standard stuff and was ready to pull the tank and try a new fuel pump. Related my tail of woe to him, he changed out the reluctor sensor and the R/C now runs like a champ. Hope yours does too! Best of luck to you!
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matt
Dodge Dakota
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1/18/2004
15:20:06
|  RE: 1988 Dakota 4x4 stalling problem
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i have a 1988 dodge dakota wiyh a 3.9 iam having a stalling problem when i drive down the road. i changed the coil it was leaking oil that didnt work so i unpluged the map sensor it did not stall but it would idle i then i purchased a map sensor and i still have a stalling problem and when it stalled it gives a #13 error code witch from my info is a bad map sensor, i also changed the fuel filter and the thermostat. can anybody help with my problem.
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Wadak
Dodge Dakota
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1/18/2004
18:25:20
| RE: 1988 Dakota 4x4 stalling problem
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Don Rowan; You indicated "Sometimes it backfires when I try to restart it, but typically won't start back up. The 02, MAP, Distributor, computer, plugs and wires, cap, rotor, fuel filter, and auto shut down relay have all been replaced without fixing the problem". I don't see where the fuel pump itself has been checked or changed. How about the coil if it is intermittent it can cause a possible misfire. Carefully disconnect the connector connected to the computer and check the connections on the computer and the computer plug for any signs of corrosion. IF there is, try cleaning the connections with some rubbing achol and q-tips.
How many miles on your truck, if the timing chain has stretched too far this can also caused problems. If you can get it started and keep it running basic timing should be checked with a timing light pointed a the front of the engine to see what it's reading, may be find an independent shop that can check the ignition with a scope. A good service technician should be able to tell by the pattern if it's an ignition problem. Look around the engine compartment and check for signs of corrosion around the battery. I hope some of this helps. Please report back sometimes it takes several trys to solve a problem like this. If you have a friend who works on cars, or know someone who does don't be afraid to ask. Friendships sometimes start over things like this. If you don't have a Chilton's or Hayne's manual, get one one they are around 15 to 20 dollars and can be a valuable source of information. The more you know about you truck the easier it is to solve problems.
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Wadak
Dodge Dakota
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1/18/2004
18:36:30
| RE: 1988 Dakota 4x4 stalling problem
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matt, How many miles on your truck? O2 sensors on these Gen1 trucks are notorious for causing problems. Find a plug connected to a sensor in the exhaust, if necesary disconnet the wire from the sensor and try to start it up. If it will start and run smoothly you may have to take it for a short drive, your mileage may go down. Remember this is only a test run for driveability. If the truck runs better than walla you have found your problem. I would suggest that you get get a Haynes or Chiltons manual and educate yourself about your truck. The more you know about it the easier it is to solve a problem. Good Luck and report back.
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Dianes 88 Dak
GenI
1/19/2004
02:55:00
| RE: 1988 Dakota 4x4 stalling problem
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Hey Wadak, this sounds somewhat familiar.
Don, I've been having pretty much the same problems as you, except my truck will start right back up. The guys on here are really a great help! Very good at trouble shooting.
If you don't have anyone to physically help you and haven't already done it...The disconnect of the 02 is on fire wall passenger side, kind of under some other wires and connectors. The plug in connector is a total of about 3 inches long and black. You can see the wire running on down towards the bell housing close to the firewall all the way. It has a black plastic covering around the wires which starts about 2 inches from the plug.
Hope this helps! I just disconnected mine yesterday, so it's very fresh in my mind. Made a definite difference on my dak.
If you'd like to read some other posts on this subject that could be some help, we can guide you to them if you haven't done a search on stalling already. Good luck!
88 Dakota 4x4, offroad, 110,000 with most of the same replacements.
Diane's 88 Dakota [MOPAR RULES...other's... well, you know]
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Dianes 88 Dak
GenI
1/19/2004
03:01:04
| RE: 1988 Dakota 4x4 stalling problem
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Sh*t, Wadak.
I'd didn't realise how old this post was till I came back to it to read it all. I hope Don got it fixed by now.
Hey, what about you other guys with 88's?
Diane's 88 Dakota [MOPAR RULES...other's... well, you know]
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xmr
GenIII
1/19/2004
12:15:19
| RE: 1988 Dakota 4x4 stalling problem
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This sure sounds like the corroded splice problem that Larry identified on Resa's Dak.
Home brew cold air with K&N,Dynomax, Superchip Tuner, 1.7 RR,, F&B tb. NAPA cap and rotor, 3923 plugs
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BSAsteve
Dodge Dakota
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1/24/2004
10:54:00
|  RE: 1988 Dakota 4x4 stalling problem
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Hey dianes i still got the old dakota. I've stated in other posts that i replaced the distributer because the relucter pickup wheel had come loose from the shaft and destoyed the pickup this solved the problem off the bat. I could list all the other stuff that i have found and fixed but it would turn into a novel. If anybody needs any ideas on thier 1st gen. give me a holler i might be able to help out. I live in southern nh.
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Wadak
Dodge Dakota
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1/24/2004
12:13:54
| RE: 1988 Dakota 4x4 stalling problem
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As far as I'm concerned that's what this forum is about helping others with there dak problems. As a source for improving performance. I would never thought of getting a v8 throttlebody for my v6, if I hadn't read it here.
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Dianes 88 Dak
GenI
1/25/2004
14:25:39
| RE: 1988 Dakota 4x4 stalling problem
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BSAsteve, thanks a bunch!
I had read some posts on the distributor problems a few weeks ago when I searched the archives, I read your's too. Then I went and bought the pickup for the distributor. When I pulled the old one out, I seen the plastic wheel, interuptor/reluctor had a lot of slop. Went ahead and put it in anyway, didn't help and idle was worse so, I purchased a new distrib last weekend and put it in, ran lots better without even being timed. Just finally got to put a timing light on it Friday. Put an O2 in also, was due for one anyway. It's running pretty good now, idles again, doesn't die at stop signs, etc. Made a big differance.
Thanks again, Diane
WADAK, thanks for all your help too!!!
Diane's 88 Dakota [MOPAR RULES...other's... well, you know]
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BSAsteve
Dodge Dakota
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1/26/2004
07:21:19
|  RE: 1988 Dakota 4x4 stalling problem
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Happy to hear that you're truck is fixed. Just out of curiosity how hard was it to install the new dist.? i had to file a little off the new casting so it would fit. also did you happen to notice wether or not the relucter wheel was rveted to the shaft or hot melted like the oem.
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Dianes 88 Dak
GenI
1/26/2004
11:01:32
| RE: 1988 Dakota 4x4 stalling problem
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BSAsteve,
New dist. dropped right in. It came with the hall effect pick up already in it(mopar dealer here said their's didn't) since hall e p u was in there I didn't really see how good the reluctor was in, I looked down in there best I could and noticed it was not plastic, I could see silver and I'm thinkin I could see a rivet head.
Also, was 96. plus 34. from Mopar. I got it at Advanced Auto for 79.99 + core, who matched AutoZone price and has LT Warrenty.
Diane's 88 Dakota [MOPAR RULES...other's... well, you know]
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Dianes 88 Dak
GenI
11/15/2005
18:40:51
|  RE: 1988 Dakota 4x4 stalling problem
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Is anyone still on the forum that remembers me and my 88 Dak? Wadak, Larry, Tazzy, just to name a few? I've got some new problems. Haven't been driving the old Dak for awhile. It started running really rough and battery went dead before I could get around to messing with it. Just finally found the time.
It will start and run but will not idle at all. I'm thinking fuel pump or TB problem since it started running rough first. Only drove it for a few months after I put the MSD setup in it and it ran great for awhile. Gradually started running rough and within a week or two, got to where it wounldn't hold an idle on it's own at all. Any suggestions would be great. Thanks All!
Diane's 88 Dakota [MOPAR RULES...other's... well, you know] http--dodgetrucks.org-cgi-bin-index.pluser=1054&cat=500&thumb=1
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vern
Dodge Dakota
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11/15/2005
19:48:50
| RE: 1988 Dakota 4x4 stalling problem
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the idle motor on the driverside TB controls idle,this should move in and out as you turn the key on and off,if it does this the motor is probally good,
water in fuel
check the dist cap for cracks and terminals for corrosion and moisture
check plugs and wires,mice and squirrels will chew the wires sometimes
check computer ground
also not to say this is it,i,ve heard horror storys about MSD ignitions giving people problems with not starting,backfiring[misfires]
etc,this can be checked by reinstalling your stock coil and disconnecting the MSD system
a few things that can be checked that doesn,t cost alot and omit a few things it may not be
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Dianes 88 Dak
GenI
11/16/2005
00:08:56
|  RE: 1988 Dakota 4x4 stalling problem
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Hi Vern and thanks for the reply!
Is this the same Vern that was on all the time back early last year when I was on a lot? If so I hope all has been well with you:) (if not, well wishes to you too).
I will try all the things you mentioned in your post for starters.
I was trying to find some of my old posts to refresh my memory to the problems I had then. I had started out having trouble with the idle when coming to stop signs and it serging up and down and it sounded almost like it had a big cam in it when just sitting and idling. Also had had it die going down the highway when I first bought it and driving it home. It's always fired right back up tho. I replaced the cap, rotor, plugs and wires(which all are still good) and several sensors, one of them being the throttle position sensor, another being the o2, totally had removed the cat as it was pretty clogged(not replaced as I was told it should be fine without it and I live in the country-no emission's) and replaced the old muff with a Flowmaster, cleaned & checked wires and connectors, checked grounds, vacuum's, cleaned computer connectors etc. and replaced the distributor. The distrib being the last thing I did it seemed to be running so much better so about a week later I put the MSD in. Ran good for about 8 or 9 outings then started gradually idling worse and worse again and sounding like it had a cam in it at idle once again. I just can't help thinking it's the same old problem resurfacing and that maybe resetting the computer so many times it just took a bit of time for the problem to show back up or the computer to start compensating or something. Don't know if that makes any sense, but it's what is in my mind.
The first thing I did when it started running bad again was to fill it up with gas thinking I may of had bad gas. Which by the way reminds me...it had seemed to me a few times back when I was trouble shooting that it would start running worse if I let the tank get close to empty. Never thought that would mean much of anything, so I don't think I ever posted it. Also, I was only getting about 12-13 mpg.
It was last Oct. that it finally got to the point it wouldn't idle on it's own at all. so I parked it. I just now have the time to mess with it again.
I was thinking one of you guys had mentioned the fuel pump and a sock or something in the tank and/or the possibility my TB was bad at one time.
Thanks again for responding and any new ideas are very very welcome.
I have shop manuals to help but you guys are the best!!
Diane's 88 Dakota [MOPAR RULES...other's... well, you know] http--dodgetrucks.org-cgi-bin-index.pluser=1054&cat=500&thumb=1
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vern
Dodge Dakota
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11/16/2005
16:00:48
| RE: 1988 Dakota 4x4 stalling problem
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yes its me and thank you for being so nice,
i,m doing fine,hope the same with you
you just said its hard on gas plus the idle issue,is it blowing black smoke out the exshust?
like its flooding.this may be the map sensor.
the map uses the vaccuum to read how much throttle you are applying and turns this reading to a electric signal that it sends to the PCM,
then the PCM reads this signal along with the TPS and O2 and adjust the fuel accordingly,this can cause the problems your having[the map should be on the firewall pass.side towards the center of truck,on a 88,its black with a hose connected to it and a three wire plug in ]
also check hose and wires
have you or maybe i should say have a dianostic check done on the truck,they can test the values on the sensors,this can save time and money in the long run sometimes by not buying parts you don,t need and telling you the things that are good,thus narrowing the problem down
sorry for being so long winded,if you think of something else,let us know may be able to help
ps the speed sensor on the transfer case[driverside] and its wiring can cause stalling when coming to a stop or when you putting the truck in gear
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