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az4life
Dodge Dakota
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2/23/2007
13:39:50
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 Subject: RE: Heater Core Puked!
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Started this morning and the dash is loose but seems to be stuck on something. I am struggling with a pinched nerve or back spasms too.
About The electrical gang connections... Are they all removed from the top after the dash is tilted forward? I was working on trying to loosen some jumbo connectors under the dash, on the drives side when my back gave out and now it is more research till the pills kick in.
Feel free to post or email direct with info marlon7914@yahoo.com
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daddio
Dodge Dakota
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2/23/2007
15:29:46
|  RE: Heater Core Puked!
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year of truck would be nice to know. also, if you post this under one of the other forums, (i.e. General Board, V8 Board or V6 Board) you'll get a better response. especially since this doesn't seem to be a Dealer/TSB / Recall problem.
don't be shy to start your own post. beware there are some flamers out there. don't let them scare you off.
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RolandGS
Dodge Dakota
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2/23/2007
17:38:02
| RE: Heater Core Puked!
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All of the wires that you should be loosening are UNDER the dash. Once you have the trim out you need to identify the wires that come down from the dash from above and attach to the components bolted the side walls. Disconnect those. There is another group that comes thru the firewall and connects to the breaker panel on the inside left of the dash, disconnect those. Also disconnect all the wires coming up and into the steering column. Then take off the large connectors from the dash gang going back toward the firewall (above the petals). Thats about all I can remember from memory. Drop the column by removing the four bolts and lay the steering wheel on the seat. Once All that is done then lean the dask forward and try to figure out what is still connected... This was for my 01, so I hope you have a like model. I finished mine already. Noticed that the heat core went up about 100 bucks from the dealer, but they will be manufactured in Canada soon and available thru the parts stores... AutoZOne has a price and part number on their webstie but when you try to but it comes up with an error...
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az4life
Dodge Dakota
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2/24/2007
00:17:21
| RE: Heater Core Puked!
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Well I got the dash all out. (2001 Quad cab 3.9 a/t 2wd) Your info was "spot on" but then I had to make a run to town to get a garter spring removal tool to remove the A/C spring clips from the accumulator tubes. After I pried and pulled on it so much before going for the tools, I hope the tools will remove it.
Anyway, I should have the housing out and change the core tomorrow AM. Then put it all back together.... I hope. Lots of wires and mounting points. I wonder though, what is the point if the darn core is going to corrode out again in 1-2 years? Does anyone have a sure cure for the electrolysis problem. Pills and de-mineralized water or extra ground straps (where) are all nice, but it does not seem like there is a lot of success.
Thanks again...
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az4life
Dodge Dakota
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2/25/2007
10:22:27
| RE: Heater Core Puked!
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Well it is mostly back together... Had a big job removing the accumulator tube for the a/c even with the garter spring tool. The core I bought was larger than the OE and I had to grind out a couple tabs in the bottom of the a/c heater box but no big deal.
One question though... After I got it back together, the steering wheel does not lock when the key is removed. I can still turn it. Not a big deal for me, but just wonder what could have happened to cause that. I only disconnected the harnesses from the steering column, and it's not like I pulled the switch.
Thanks for all the help and input... I need to go finish hooking up the A/C and re-installing the radio.
Warmer in Wyoming...
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RolandGS
Dodge Dakota
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2/25/2007
11:53:59
| RE: Heater Core Puked!
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Not sure about that one... I would assume that the mechanism for locking the wheel is mechanical and not electrical in nature. Perhaps you busted or disconneted a spring by accident when removing the harnesses or covers around the wheel?
Good luck.
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ChrisMac
Dodge Dakota
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9/16/2007
03:31:56
| RE: Heater Core Puked!
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I know I'm a little late to chime in on this subject, but I was wondering if it would be possible to cut away a portion of the heater box with a dremel tool, replace the heater core, glue the removed portion back to the box and then put the dash back together? I'm on a budget and don't have a lot of cash, but want to get some heat going in my truck before winter comes. Last spring I bypassed the heater core, but got some crazy quotes of $100 to discharge the A/C, $250 for the Core, $100 to recharge the A/C + $750 for labor.
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az4life
Dodge Dakota
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9/16/2007
19:17:01
| RE: Heater Core Puked!
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I too wondered about the cutout, but after doing the job I'd have to say no way. The core is in at a slight angle and IF it was possible to cut out an opening, I think it would have to go out through the firewall to the engine compartment. Just not enough room under or behind the dash to remove or re-install a core.
If you are short on cash, give it a go yourself. Get a friend or 2 over for a bonding day, and you'll likely finish it early enough to go fishing.
Read the posts on this thread and follow the photo instructions and it is possible. As far as the A/C issue, Yeah, you lose the charge taking it apart but there is no reason you cannot charge it yourself. Have your local garage evac it before you recharge it then fill it with the DIY kits from any auto parts or walmart to the specified capacity. Evac it an you know how much it holds so no chance of overcharge. I did not even evac mine. just capped the lines immediately upon opening and recharged it when the core was done and A/C reconnected. No problems through this summer either!
Good Luck
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searay245se
Dodge Dakota
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9/17/2007
23:01:49
| RE: Heater Core Puked!
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oh boy i hope my 99 i just bought doesnt start doin this i will be really pissed from what ive read it looks like a huge job even for guys like me that do there own work i also have a friend that works in the parts department at a dodge dealer and tomorrow im goi to ask him whats up with these if he knows hes a good enough friend he wont bs me will let everyone know what he sez
jeff searay245se
99 dak slt cc 3.9 auto 4x4
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searay245se
Dodge Dakota
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9/18/2007
09:29:06
| RE: Heater Core Puked!
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well talked to me buddy(known him 30 years good friend)he works in the parts department at a dogde dealer guess what he told me"as far as he knows theres no problem theyve change a few but not alot of them" got me wonderin now how good a friend he is well thats what i found out and now im bummin out i do not wanna have to pull that whole dash if mine goes well atleast autozone carrys mine for 45 bucks
jeff searay245se
99 dak slt cc 3.9 auto 4x4
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ChrisMac
Dodge Dakota
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10/12/2007
22:31:02
| RE: Heater Core Puked!
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Thanks AZ for life. I will talk to a friend of mine who does AC work on the side. Maybe he can help me with the charge/discharge. Other than the heater core and the steering rack, my truck has been pretty much trouble free for the 150K miles I've put on my 2.5L 4 banger. Granted, it's not very quick once I shift to third, but I like the 23.7MPG average I get going back and forth to work. I get the economy of a car, but the utility of a truck.
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ernie
Dodge Dakota
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10/16/2007
22:54:35
| RE: Heater Core Puked!
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ChrisMac
First off I am happy to see someone with a 4 - banger. I have a 2000 dodge dakota and have been very happy with it except for the shortcuts taken by Dodge in building this truck. Others teased me for not having a HEMI. See my post on previous pages. My heater core went out at 31,000 + miles, but it was also at 5 years, so no coverage from Dodge. As I do not tow anything,and it has servced our needs I kepted it, after all it was probily an oil change place that added tap water. So do it yourself. My problem cost me $1300. Keep up on the maintenance and yours should last. Ernie
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rpracing
Dodge Dakota
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11/04/2007
01:16:34
| RE: Heater Core Puked!
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searay, the local dodge dealer here said the same thing. Then again our "5 Star Dodge Dealer" here is staffed by morons. Have 2 other guys at work with these era dakotas and are going through the same thing. BTW 2yrs now with the last replacement core & new coolent change regiment and its fine now. As of spring this POS is gone and being replaced with a Frontier or diesel titan (assuming they do finally come out) if I get another truck. The big 3 can kiss my ass.
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2000 Durango
Dodge Dakota
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11/08/2007
14:37:50
| RE: Heater Core Puked!
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I have a 2000 Durango and the core was going...leaking fluid on the driveway out of the overflow in the firewall and blowing a fine mist. Since I live in Tucson, I pulled the two coolant lines going to the heater core and routed them together to form a big loop. It seems to be working fine and since it seldom gets cold here, I think it might just stay that way unless someone points out something that could go wrong as a result...
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searay245se
Dodge Dakota
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11/08/2007
19:10:38
| RE: Heater Core Puked!
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if i lived somewhere nice and warm like u 2000 durango id do it to had many a car in my teen days this was done to and never had a problem havent really done it on anything newer but with the temp down in the low 30s here already at night it helps to have heat(wishin i was somewhere nice and warm out)but i dont think it would harm anything i dont think theres no sensors back in there so u should be ok id do it too for how much a pain it sounds like doin
jeff searay245se S&S MOTORSPORTS
99 dak slt cc 3.9 auto 4x4 60k
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Dan M
Dodge Dakota
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11/15/2007
07:54:01
| RE: Heater Core Puked!
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some of the guys here have installed values so they can turn on to let coolant enter cab and turn off to keep it out. they say the A/C runs colder in summer. makes sense, no hot coolant in cab so it should be less hot and also the a/c can cool better as it doesn't have to compete with hot air.
- Dan M
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CajunDreamer
Dodge Dakota
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1/18/2008
23:51:07
| RE: Heater Core Puked!
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I purchased a 2000 Dodge Ram 1500 with the 5.9/360 a month ago and after the first week i started to smell antifreez well after exploring for the leak i found one of the freez plugs was leaking very badly so i changed the leaking freezplug, then i find out from a friend about electrolysis could be in the water system, well guess what? a few days after repairing the freezplug the water pump goes out, found it to be all ate up from electrolysis, changed the pump, few days after that i noticed water comming from the frunt of the motor, found that the thermastat housing was all eaten up as well, so i repaired all that and now waiting on the radiator and heater core to fail :( i did contact my local dodge dealer on the mater and one of the machanics told me that they found after a good flushing of the system to use DISTILLED WATER in the coolant system, he says they found this to help or solve the electrolysis problem so xing fingers and we'll see.
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MarkMan
Dodge Dakota
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1/29/2008
09:09:49
| RE: Heater Core Puked!
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Dang.. I bought a 2000 V6 Dakota with only 27k this last summer and now I find out (in the winter) that the heater hardly works. I took it into a Dodge dealership to have it fixed, hopefully under my $2500k extended warranty.. but nope, not covered. Supposedly a bad heater core that will now cost me $1600 to fix.
There is no smell/leak though, and I've had a bad heater core in other cars that were quite easy to catch a whiff of antifreeze/coolant. Is it still possible that a heater core would be bad with under 30k mileage and no leak/smell?
Also, any new word from Dodge on a recall of some sort? After reading this post, and others, this is madness.
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DodgeMan
Dodge Dakota
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2/01/2008
12:49:31
|  RE: Heater Core Puked!
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Well I guess my problems are fixing to start with my truck 2001 Dakota with 182000+ miles and my heater core is just starting to leak. Never had a major problem YET just u-joints, braks, tires, and keeping the oil changed every 2800 to 3100 miles. I drive this V8 truck hard, if I need to go off road i will kick the 4x4 in and hit it with all 4 wheels digging. This so far has been the best little truck I have had. OH and I get 14.7 to 18 Mpg.
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daddio
Dodge Dakota
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2/01/2008
13:29:08
| RE: Heater Core Puked!
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MarkMan, i fear you have been taken for a ride by your "stealership". they're probably just going to backflush the heater core and send you on your merry way. it's a common problem that many on here have posted about. thye get clogged with crud and backflushing usually clears up the problem. do a little search for "flushing heater core" and you will see.
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