Is Dakota gas mileage as bad as some say

From : rq

Q: twix wrote on 4 aug 2005 090605 -0700 martin funkychateauspam@yahoo.com wrote how do you recommend checking the converter btw this vehicle passed emissions testing for tx safety inspection at the end of july. engine didnt run rough during the test but if the converter were shot shouldnt it have failed the tailpipe test martin weird tx doesnt make me do emissions checks on my personal or company vehicle. where do you live certain counties in texas will make you do it. bob .

Replies:

From : jph

on my 89 that happened when the hot wire going to the fuel cutout solenoid shorted after the insulation rubbed through due to vibrating against a bracket. jmtcw on 14 aug 2005 164755 -0700 lee leethalle@beer.com wrote i have a 92 ram 250 diesel. this morning it died after running about 15 minutes. it would not crank but everything else worked. i towed it back home and did a little poking around. all the fuses are ok. the alarm system is ok. although it does trip after a while but i can reset it. i then unplugged the starter solenoid plug and shorted it. the starter works. then i went looking for fusable links. i found one open. it is orange and is 1 of 5 that comes out of a large wire that directly hooks to the battery. the link that is burned hooks to a wire that also has a white fusable link hooked to the same place. i stripped back the insulation on the burned link and twisted the ends together. as soon as i turned the ignition switch to the on position the link burned open very quickly. i do not have the shop manual or a wiring diagram and google didnt help with the diagram for my truck. im way out in the sticks so it will take several days to order one. in the mean time before i start opening wire bundles and tracing the wire hopefully some one here can help me. since there is a fusable link im assuming that this is most likely a documented problem. thanks in advance lee .

From : the reverend natural light

douglas wrote hello dodge trucks group what are the towing limits for truck and trailor or where would i look for the information the process of determining the tow capability of a vehicle is explained very well here http//tinyurl.com/dbaqm .

From : jay

if you look on the window sticker it will tell you the dealer it was shipped to. im doubting that any dc dealership would be selling water damaged cars. one never knows though but i would guess that its a semi-normal occurance. is anyone else experiencing problems with rusting seat brackets under the seats. i noticed the brackets under my front seats and the dealer replaced them under warranty. however my back seat brackets are also rusting . i guess im wondering if this sold as new truck might have been partially submerged. i cant imagine rust forming on metals that are in a dry cab and protected from the elements by not only the cab itself but also the seats. gary .

From : twix

dlc dlc@dlc.net wrote aarcuda69062 wrote dlc dlc@dlc.net wrote dlc writes if i unplug the sensor and turn the ignition on the gauge reads low all the way to the left. if i short the lead still unpluggedto ground the gauge reads high all the way to the right. so i am confident i am dealing with the coolant sensor. it is just behind the alternator. the service manual suggests the correct resistance should be between 10k and 13k at 70 degrees. the sensor reads 2k. i havent checked the sensor with the engine warm. i know this seems backward and the gauge should read high but 2k is not a normal reading so i thought i would change out the sensor. by the way the temperature gauge has read low since i bought the vehicle last year. the only reason i am concerned is that i am still having stalling and backfiring problems and have replaced the catalytic converter muffler distributer cap and rotor spark plugs ignition wires o2 sensor fuel filter air filter and egr valve. i have also checked for vacuum leaks. so i am trying to fix anything that is possibly related. the backfiring occurs when i am driving at a constant highway speed and encounter a hill. as i gently apply more throttle to maintain the speed the engine will briefly stall and backfire through the exhaust. if i let off the gas for a few seconds the engine will begin to run smoothly and everything seems normal. on a 400 mile trip this may happen 2-3 times. any ideas why are you screwing around with the sender for the dash gauge in order to solve a driveability problem as for ideas; you might want to check the distributor for worn out bushings. dlc writes i believe that the coolant sensor is one of the inputs the computer uses in setting the timing but you are right that i am probably wasting energy with this. there are two distinctly different components; 1 temperature sending unit which inputs to the dash gauge. 2 coolant temperature sensor which inputs to the pcm according to coolant temperature. device #1 has nothing to do with engine operation other than to let you know if the engine is overheating and its not very good at that. i will check the distributer bushings and the distributer position sensor as well. thanks .

From : mac davis

dlc writes no the pin on my sensor is a flat pin about 1/16 wide. i guess i am going to take the sensor out and see if there are any part numbers or other information on it. it looks like it may be hard to get at as it is behind the alternator and other stuff. thanks tom lawrence wrote the sensor on my dakota is small and has only one pin. the parts stores have a larger unit with two pins. does it look like this http//www.rockauto.com/ref/acdelco/detail.htmlc1860.jpg .

From : bob

lawrence tnloaswpraemnmcien5g@earthlink.net writes interesting you should ask. in fact they do. the misfires appear to be happening at loaded idle idling in gear. checked/cleaned/replaced the idle air control motor any tips for r&r or is this a shop job .

From : george schussler

zzyzxxxx@gmail.com wrote hi guys hoping someone can help me. i recently developed a rubbing noise in my truck while turning. it occurs in forward and reverse but not every time i turn. if i press the break while turning it does not seem to have an effect on the rubbing noise. can anyone give me an idea what this might be the noise does not seem to be tremendously loud and if the radio is on i can hardly hear it. again thanks for any help you can give me. joe do you hear it only when the steering wheel is being turned or when the steering wheel is held stationary during a turn .

From : martin

now what youre missing as far as i am concerned is a 10000 lb trailer pull from georgetown co to the eisenhower tunnel. georgetown is at 8500 feet and the entrance to the eisenhower tunnel is at 11000 feet. the distance is about 12 miles and it is uphill all the way. i enjoy running beartooth pass just outside redlodge montana. in about 12 miles it goes from 5000ft. to nearly 12000ft. you cant get up any speed due to the switch backs and the scenery is amazing. i took my jeep up the pass last year http//7slotgrille.com/forum/topic.asptopicid=305 and it did ok but we werent pulling any weight. you should have seen the non diesel trucks trying to lug large 5th wheel campers to the top. i thought i was going to have to get out and help push. - -- nathan w. collier http//inlinediesel.com http//7slotgrille.com http//utilityoffroad.com http//bighornrefrigeration.com .

From : martin

ok you guys seem to know it all thats not intended as a slight 91 plymouth laser i know dodge truck ng but it is a chrysler product and i do own a dodge truck and well you guys know it all. constant clear liquid around the battery especially around the top vents very corrosive. no the battery does not have a leak battery was three years old exchanged with another three year old battery same thing clear liquid around battery. constantly adding water to the battery. removed regulator from the car set it up on the test bench regulator turns on alternator at 13.8 volts and turns off the alternator field winding at 14.2 volts at about 70 degrees f. battery voltage measured at the alternator/regulator is the same as the voltage measured at the battery. this vehicle uses a separate wire to measure the battery voltage for the regulator tests ok same voltage at either end of the wire. with the car running the measured output voltage of the alternator is 14.2 volts. manual says voltage should be between 13.9 and 14.9 volts question is why am i boiling the batteries. car runs fine starts ok no other problems. .