2001 Dakota 3.9-Couple questions/problems

From : rh

Q: howdy all i have a couple of strange questions/problems with my 3.9 dakota 2001 model... starting-it seems to take 4-7 seconds of cranking to starti have a ranger that starts within 2-3 seconds of turning the key.is this just the norm with the 3.9 engine i am just used to things turning over quicker.i changed the plugs and wires yesterdaywhich were quite worn hoping it would fix the problem but its still the samei really dont know if its a problem or if i am just impatient and used to other vehicles. another thingin reversewhen backing up slowlythe engine seems to run rough and even has stalled a few times.doesnt happen in forwardonly in reverselike the idle isnt high enough to keep the engine running. any ideas or comments thanks rob .

Replies:

From : gunner

try cleaning the throttle body. if that doesnt work there is a sensor inside the intake manifold that may be dirty and need cleaned. if you pull the air cleaner and associated plastic piping you can just barely see it with a flashlight. spray throttle body cleaner in there really good and clean it with a lint free cloth or just have it replaced.....bout $200 at a shop. joe howdy all i have a couple of strange questions/problems with my 3.9 dakota 2001 model... starting-it seems to take 4-7 seconds of cranking to starti have a ranger that starts within 2-3 seconds of turning the key.is this just the norm with the 3.9 engine i am just used to things turning over quicker.i changed the plugs and wires yesterdaywhich were quite worn hoping it would fix the problem but its still the samei really dont know if its a problem or if i am just impatient and used to other vehicles. another thingin reversewhen backing up slowlythe engine seems to run rough and even has stalled a few times.doesnt happen in forwardonly in reverselike the idle isnt high enough to keep the engine running. any ideas or comments thanks rob .

From : rh

throttle body cleaner the same as regular carb cleaner try cleaning the throttle body. if that doesnt work there is a sensor inside the intake manifold that may be dirty and need cleaned. if you pull the air cleaner and associated plastic piping you can just barely see it with a flashlight. spray throttle body cleaner in there really good and clean it with a lint free cloth or just have it replaced.....bout $200 at a shop. joe howdy all i have a couple of strange questions/problems with my 3.9 dakota 2001 model... starting-it seems to take 4-7 seconds of cranking to starti have a ranger that starts within 2-3 seconds of turning the key.is this just the norm with the 3.9 engine i am just used to things turning over quicker.i changed the plugs and wires yesterdaywhich were quite worn hoping it would fix the problem but its still the samei really dont know if its a problem or if i am just impatient and used to other vehicles. another thingin reversewhen backing up slowlythe engine seems to run rough and even has stalled a few times.doesnt happen in forwardonly in reverselike the idle isnt high enough to keep the engine running. any ideas or comments thanks rob .

From : gunner

pretty close but actually a little safer for the man-made components. just make sure the engine is not running as you initially spray it in the throttle body. use a good amount then look for the sensor inside the manifold area; this is where you want to direct the next part. start the engine. *** dont get over enthusiastic with this part*****then only use very short bursts. youll notice the engine stall and black smoke will come out the tailpipe. if you spray it full out you can damage the o2 sensors. the cheapest o2 sensor is $73 so short bursts are in order. wait for the engine to smooth out between shots. after a dozen or so shots to the throttle body with the engine running shut it down and look for the sensor i told you about earlier. it should look clean. if not you can clean it some more or take it to a shop...... hope this helps joe howdy all i have a couple of strange questions/problems with my 3.9 dakota 2001 model... starting-it seems to take 4-7 seconds of cranking to starti have a ranger that starts within 2-3 seconds of turning the key.is this just the norm with the 3.9 engine i am just used to things turning over quicker.i changed the plugs and wires yesterdaywhich were quite worn hoping it would fix the problem but its still the samei really dont know if its a problem or if i am just impatient and used to other vehicles. another thingin reversewhen backing up slowlythe engine seems to run rough and even has stalled a few times.doesnt happen in forwardonly in reverselike the idle isnt high enough to keep the engine running. any ideas or comments thanks rob .

From : gunner

if you have the time and a torque wrench you can do the job. youll have to pull the intake manifold to get to the sensor so a saturday is in order. its pretty straight forward just get a haynes manual and have fun. most likely just cleaning the throttle body really good will solve your problem though. joe howdy all i have a couple of strange questions/problems with my 3.9 dakota 2001 model... starting-it seems to take 4-7 seconds of cranking to starti have a ranger that starts within 2-3 seconds of turning the key.is this just the norm with the 3.9 engine i am just used to things turning over quicker.i changed the plugs and wires yesterdaywhich were quite worn hoping it would fix the problem but its still the samei really dont know if its a problem or if i am just impatient and used to other vehicles. another thingin reversewhen backing up slowlythe engine seems to run rough and even has stalled a few times.doesnt happen in forwardonly in reverselike the idle isnt high enough to keep the engine running. any ideas or comments thanks rob .

From : rh

just in case can the sensor be rplaced or does the whole throttle body get replaced. if it needs the whole thingis it something anyone can do or is it an involved operation pretty close but actually a little safer for the man-made components. just make sure the engine is not running as you initially spray it in the throttle body. use a good amount then look for the sensor inside the manifold area; this is where you want to direct the next part. start the engine. *** dont get over enthusiastic with this part*****then only use very short bursts. youll notice the engine stall and black smoke will come out the tailpipe. if you spray it full out you can damage the o2 sensors. the cheapest o2 sensor is $73 so short bursts are in order. wait for the engine to smooth out between shots. after a dozen or so shots to the throttle body with the engine running shut it down and look for the sensor i told you about earlier. it should look clean. if not you can clean it some more or take it to a shop...... hope this helps joe howdy all i have a couple of strange questions/problems with my 3.9 dakota 2001 model... starting-it seems to take 4-7 seconds of cranking to starti have a ranger that starts within 2-3 seconds of turning the key.is this just the norm with the 3.9 engine i am just used to things turning over quicker.i changed the plugs and wires yesterdaywhich were quite worn hoping it would fix the problem but its still the samei really dont know if its a problem or if i am just impatient and used to other vehicles. another thingin reversewhen backing up slowlythe engine seems to run rough and even has stalled a few times.doesnt happen in forwardonly in reverselike the idle isnt high enough to keep the engine running. any ideas or comments thanks rob .

From : rh

will try that thanks. how the hell do you get them off remove the plug first then grab the tube with a pair of pliers. if the slit is at 12 o-clock grab it with the jaws at 3 oclock and 9 oclock. squeeze together rock back and forth gently and pull out. if theyve been in there for a while theyre a bitch to remove. .

From : rh

which direction is the sensor i am looking for located when looking into the manifold if you have the time and a torque wrench you can do the job. youll have to pull the intake manifold to get to the sensor so a saturday is in order. its pretty straight forward just get a haynes manual and have fun. most likely just cleaning the throttle body really good will solve your problem though. joe howdy all i have a couple of strange questions/problems with my 3.9 dakota 2001 model... starting-it seems to take 4-7 seconds of cranking to starti have a ranger that starts within 2-3 seconds of turning the key.is this just the norm with the 3.9 engine i am just used to things turning over quicker.i changed the plugs and wires yesterdaywhich were quite worn hoping it would fix the problem but its still the samei really dont know if its a problem or if i am just impatient and used to other vehicles. another thingin reversewhen backing up slowlythe engine seems to run rough and even has stalled a few times.doesnt happen in forwardonly in reverselike the idle isnt high enough to keep the engine running. any ideas or comments thanks rob .