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Dealer, TSB's and Recalls
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Mike D.
Dodge Dakota
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5/15/2003
11:15:35

Subject: Catalytic Converter Problem - Roll Call
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I'm having to investigate the possibility of a bad converter on my 99 Dakota V6 (70k miles) now. The dealership near me was very defensive of the problem, saying that if the vehicle hasn't been properly maintained that they would not cover it. It will cost me $80 if they declare the catalytic converter to be in working condition or faulty due to improper maintenance.

The service rep said that the only reason it would go out would be from improper maintenance or physical damage (i.e. direct hit). I've done all the maintenance myself so I fear that since there are no service records with Dodge that they will claim I've not maintained it properly.

Any ideas on how I should proceed? I'm planning on calling DaimlerChrysler HQ to force a resolution without the chance of being charged $80 because a dealership is trying to shirk responsibility. If that does not work, I will explore the possibility of going to the EPA as well as the Better Business Bureau. Actually, before all of this I think I will try another local Dodge dealer (Austin, TX).

Who here has had catalytic converter problems? How many times has it been replaced so far?



Michelle
Dodge Dakota
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5/15/2003
11:20:04

RE: Catalytic Converter Problem - Roll Call
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Mike D,

I have a '98 Dodge Dakota and I had a similar problem with my Catalytic Converter. I had it fixed once, and it happened again, so I hollowed it out so I don't have to deal with it anymore. Just wanted to let you know that I had the same problem.

Hope it all works out for you!





slopehead
Dodge Dakota
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5/25/2003
10:44:34

RE: Catalytic Converter Problem - Roll Call
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sounds as if your dealer does not want you as a customer anymore. He would have to prove that your vehicle was not maintained, and since federal law says you can maintain it anywhere you want to , even your self can do the work, he does not have much of a leg to stand on. But since he wants to be a pain about it, I am sure there are other dealers in your area rhat whanyt your bussiness. I had a service writer at the dealership i bought mine from try to tell me that a problem I had with My A/C was "under the dash as that is where it usually is" Without having anyone really look at it. I went to another dealer that was about 15 miles away. They put a die charge in it and recharged it for no-charge, yeah I found that hard to beleive too, but I took it back a few days later and he showed me where I had over 15 spots in the chrash part condensor leaking (never aftermarket on A/C parts again) and had it replaced there for about 300 less then the missed diagnosed dealer wanted. they also told me I had bad brakes, which i had just replaced 2 weeks before, and needed a new battery, which two years later I am still using the same one, and and wanted to do a total of over 1500 in work on it. I said no and got it fixed for 450 and have been going back to that dealer for work that the local muffler, brake and tire shops can't do ever since.



slopehead
Dodge Dakota
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5/25/2003
10:47:14

RE: Catalytic Converter Problem - Roll Call
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p.s. you have a Federal Warrenty on your converter for 7 years or 80,000 miles I would find another dealer really soon as you are getting close to the 780,000 mile cutoff point, which it what I think your dealer is trying to get you at so you have to pay for it instead of getting the freebee from him.



John Perdue
Dodge Dakota
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5/26/2003
23:21:47

RE: Catalytic Converter Problem - Roll Call
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I just bought a 2001 Dakota Sport with the 2.5 in it and heard the rattling near the cab. I got up under it and shook the pipe once it cooled off to see if that's what it was (what else could it be??) and it turns out my Cat is bad too. I did some research (mainly through other forums) and found that the O2 sensor runs the fuel mixture too rich and therefore overheats and breaks the ceramics in the cat. That's where the rattle comes from. Now I need to find out how to replace this thing without costing myself an arm and a leg (at 17, I'm hardly able to pay for gas and insureance). I'm thinking about having my friend's dad (a mechanic) take the thing off so it can be hollowed out. How exactly do you hollow one out? Does it still pass emissions tests after doing so??



George
Dodge Dakota
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5/31/2003
18:43:38

RE: Catalytic Converter Problem - Roll Call
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I have a 1992 V6 dak., right now I have 122,000 miles on it. The Cat is out again. I bought this truck new and dodge replaced CAT twice already, now number 3 is on me. If your under 7/80,000 they have to replace, unless you have clearly and intentionaly damaged it.(pretty hard to prove.)

PS: Has anybody had any problems with backfire after hollowing out their CAT, with manual trans.



hereyago
Dodge Dakota
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6/10/2003
08:03:22

RE: Catalytic Converter Problem - Roll Call
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Just thought you all might be interested in this site. This is the SEMA Federal Warranty Laws. Look at number 2 on this page under the Clean Air Act Provisions (42 U.S.C. S 7541 (C) (3) (B))
http://www.sema.org/content/?ID=22238
I just used this and had my Converter was replaced free of charge on a 99 Dakota with 63,000 miles. At first there was no warranty, until I showed them the print out of the web page, she showed it to the manager and she set up an appointment for the next day.


Goodluck




Linda
Dodge Dakota
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6/16/2003
10:45:52

RE: Catalytic Converter Problem - Roll Call
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I had a bad Catalytic Converter on my 99. The dealership took care of it immediately, after I showed the warranty details from my owners manual. They have to do it.
Check another Dodge dealer....



Dustin
Dodge Dakota
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6/18/2003
22:10:33

RE: Catalytic Converter Problem - Roll Call
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I have a 98 Dodge Dakota and have had numerous problems with the catalytic converter. It has been replaced twice. now that the waranty is up it went out again. i have had all oil changes and maintnace on time. The dealer ship told me their is nothing they can do sense waranty is up. I called dalmer chrysler and got a case report that it went out again after waranty was up and that it had been fixed twice before buts thats all they could do. Now I am having to notify the BBB and follow the GA L-law witch says that if a vehicle consist of the same problem three times or more that either money be returned or fixed with a longer waranty. I am only 17 and shaved cash for 2 years for this truck and the trucks been great but for the converter.



Tim Elmer
Dodge Dakota
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6/24/2003
06:56:06

RE: Catalytic Converter Problem - Roll Call
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I have a '98 Dakota with 39,000 miles. Garaged, clean etc., but I think I have the catalytic converter problem. It rattles alot when the truck is idling. So if what I read in these comments is true, I should be able to get this fixed by Dodge for free? What's the best way to proceed? Just call my local dealer? I have a feeling they are going to try to get out of it. Any suggestions for the best way to get this accomplished?



Mikeyis4dcats
Dodge Dakota
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6/29/2003
13:50:20

RE: Catalytic Converter Problem - Roll Call
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I have the same problem with a noisy, rattling cat.....anyone have an answer? Can we get replacement using that SEMA warranty?



Jamie
Dodge Dakota
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6/30/2003
15:23:11

RE: Catalytic Converter Problem - Roll Call
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I had my cc replaced with like 50,000 miles last year, it's a 98' and they replaced it for free. They said it had to do with something about the Clean Air Act, or something, so it was covered. Also said it was under waranty till 80,000 miles also, Check into it if you have to pay for yours. And it had nothing to do with my waranty on my truck.



CathysDakota
Dodge Dakota
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7/01/2003
15:08:46

RE: Catalytic Converter Problem - Roll Call
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Cat's my name but I think my converter is causing my Dak to be ill.My dream Dakota runs fine till it gets up to operating temp.Then the oil pressure drops down from 70lbs. to 30lbs even going 70mph on the I-10.At that point the truck has no pick-up going uphill on an overpass.ANY suggestions as to what's wrong???HELP!!!



chris
Dodge Dakota
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7/01/2003
23:54:24

RE: Catalytic Converter Problem - Roll Call
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FYI i just had mine replaced at dodges expense. Just called up a local dealer and had it done 1 week later. I have no warranty left on it, mileage is at 62,000 its a 99. No problems



jrtech2000
Dodge Dakota
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7/09/2003
15:45:48

RE: Catalytic Converter Problem - Roll Call
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Had the same problem last year... Mileage was 94,000 was told that the converters are covers 100% under warrantee!



Tim
Dodge Dakota
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7/12/2003
08:09:20

RE: Catalytic Converter Problem - Roll Call
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I had posted a message on June 24th about my Catalytic Converter on a '98 Dakota. I took my truck to a local Dodge dealer and sure enough they replaced the converter without a charge. Unbelievable. Thanks for all of the responses.





adam
Dodge Dakota
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7/18/2003
19:52:48

RE: Catalytic Converter Problem - Roll Call
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i just bought my 98 rt from a car lot about a month ago and of course i didn't get the warrenty. but my truck at a stop light would be fine but at take off it wouldn't pull for snit. so i took it to a mechanic and said i had bad spark plugs which when it miss fires the fuel goes down to the cat converter and clogs it up. my truck has 70k miles on it and you all say that i get a FREEBIE from dodge thats the best news since my truck messed up.



stealwings582
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7/24/2003
13:31:11

RE: Catalytic Converter Problem - Roll Call
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I had the same problem. In California they have to replace the cat up to 100,000 miles no matter what but I can't say that for all states. Also one reason everyone is burning their cats up is because the exhaust manifolds on these things are natorius for leaking or breaking off manifold studs. When the o2 sensor sees an oxygen rich exhaust it goes richer and creates a hotter temp between the head and the cat. Burns cats out all the time. You people who are going through cats might want to have your exhaust manifold checked out. My 98 went through two cats in four years and I put headers on with an actual gasket, of which Dodge doesn't do for the Exhaust Manifolds, and mines holding up great. Just my $.02.

Wouldn't want any other!

Jacob
Dodge Dakota
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9/16/2003
22:09:12

RE: Catalytic Converter Problem - Roll Call
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Well, guys I am experiencing the same symptoms with my truck. It has just over 66,000 miles on her. I noticed the "rattling noise at about 50,000. The noise would come and go, but now it is here to stay. It is driving me crazy. I checked for stored DTCs in the OBD system because the "check engine" light flashed on and off when I was on my way to work. I checked my codes and found that cylinders 4 and 8 were misfiring. I wrote down the codes and then cleared them. I am going to make an appointment at my Dodge Dealer for them to replace my CAT. Thanks to all of you for your information and the helpful warranty information, hopefully it will all go well.



Scott
Dodge Dakota
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9/23/2003
09:42:50

RE: Catalytic Converter Problem - Roll Call
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I bought a used dakota last week. I bought the truck
knowing the cat was rattling and since my buddy works
at a muffler shop I can get it done cheap. But if Dodge
would do it for free, what the hell. One question, Will
they replace it on a vehicle that has changed owners?



Tim
Dodge Dakota
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9/29/2003
19:42:13

92 dakota cold start problem
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3.9 having cold start problem backfiers pings spark knocks cut out and stalls untill warm. Then it runs fine has all kinds of power while warm but if you let it sit for a few hours i go throught it again and again can someone help me? spent a bunch of money on it changed computer all sensors coil plug and wires and the rouder botton distribor cap pickup plate and still having same problem at cold start. Thank you Tim.



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