Contenu
- Dodge Dakotas Manufactured After 1996
- Step 1
- Step 2
- Step 3
- Step 4
- Step 5
- Step 6
- Step 7
- Dodge Dakotas Manufactured in 1995 and Before
- Step 1
- Step 2
- Step 3
- Step 4
- Tip
- Items you will need
After years of wear and tear, potential Dodge Dakota engine problems can take many forms. The engine can backfire, the engine can make knocking noises and the acceleration can lag or falter. For every symptom that presents itself, there can be multiple possible explanations. For this reason, the Dodges On-Board Diagnostic system can provide a bit of guidance. It will not fix your problem, but it could potentially reduce the amount of time it takes to locate the source of the problem.
Dodge Dakotas Manufactured After 1996
Step 1
Prepare for troubleshooting ahead of time. This includes bookmarking relevant pages with your OBD-II hand-held users manual. You will need exact descriptions for generic codes used in all OBD-II compliant cars and light trucks. You will also need to go onto the Internet and locate Chryslers unique and supplemental OBD-II codes. The Dakotas owners manual lacks this information. out the coding lists. Place both the ed material and your OBD-II hand-helds manual into the Dakotas navigators seat.
Step 2
Connect your OBD-II scanner to your Dakotas Data Link Connector port. The DLC port will be located next to the left kick panel and beneath the drivers side dashboard. If your scanner has an auto-activation feature, it will turn itself on once it senses a connection with the Dakotas computer. If your scanner does not have this feature, you will need to turn it on yourself.
Step 3
Turn on the Dakotas electrical system. This will "wake up" the vehicles diagnostic computer. Depending on the scanner you own, you may have to also start the Dakotas engine.
Step 4
Key in a command to retrieve the OBD-II codes from the Dakotas computer. The button layout on diagnostic scanners differ by brand. Also, some scanners are preset to automatically retrieve codes. Either way, consult your specific scanners manual for the exact instructions.
Step 5
Scroll through the retrieved codes and located all the ones flagged by "trouble" status. Copy these codes onto a notepad. Always investigate trouble codes first. These are frequently recorded malfunctions, and they are the reason why the "service engine" light goes on.
Step 6
Copy any remaining codes onto your notepad. These will be "pending" codes. They are still malfunctions, but they have not happened with the regularity of the Dakotas trouble codes. Still, this could be a sign of developing problems.
Step 7
Consult the materials you placed in the navigators seat. Look up the coding descriptions and definitions and copy them onto your notepad. Turn off the Dakota and remove the ignition key. Detach the scanner from the DLC port.
Open the Dakotas engine compartment and troubleshoot the engine according to the problems on your list. Draw a line through both code and description once you have eliminated them from consideration.
Dodge Dakotas Manufactured in 1995 and Before
Step 1
Prepare for troubleshooting by locating the "check engine" flash codes online. You will not find this information in the Dakotas owners manual. out the code list and place it in the Dakotas navigators seat.
Step 2
Put the key into the ignition. In less than five seconds, turn the key back and forth in the following sequence: on-off-on-off-on.
Step 3
Count how many times the "service engine" light flashes. Chryslers flash codes consist of only two numbers. For example, code 62 will consist of six flashes, a pause and two additional flashes. The flashes will be of equal length, and there will be a longer pause between separate flash codes. Write down all of the code numbers.
Step 4
Consult the out you left in the navigators seat for coding descriptions and definitions. Copy them next to their corresponding code numbers.
Turn off the Dakota and remove the key from the ignition. Pop open the engine compartment and troubleshoot the engine using your list as a reference.
Tip
- OBD-II scanners will not work on Dakotas manufactured before 1996.
Items you will need
- OBD-II scanner
- Pencil
- Notepad
