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Greg Cail
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4/24/2001
00:08:05

Subject: Spark knock
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I have a 2000 Dakota Club Cab (3.9 V6) and on light load acceleration (or up hills) I get a rattling noise on a certain spot in the accelerator travel. I've been told this is "spark knock" caused by premature combustion. Does anyone know about this problem? Is there a long term solution?



Piglet Panda
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4/26/2001
01:18:14

RE: Spark knock
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Your PCM probably needs updating. This is
firmware (a program) that is downloaded into
your PCM (engine management system's)
EPROM (controller chip); this should be done
whenever it is available.
"Pinging", or "knocking" under load is caused
by detonation (ignition timing error) and not
only robs your Dak of power, but can cause
damage over time if not treated. Using a
higher-octane fuel can help, but that's not the
correct solution. I have no problem running
regular in mine.
According to my local dealer, Dodge of
Bellevue, this update just became available
recently and fixes this problem.
Go get it.

'98 DakSport C/C 3.9 2WD

mmmdakota
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4/28/2001
20:40:03

RE: Spark knock
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Have had the same problem. Brought it in around 10K and the computer was updated. Problem has returned (18K). I need to get it back in...



Ron T.
Dodge Dakota
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11/28/2001
01:43:33

RE: Spark knock
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I also have a Dakota Quad Cab (2001, 3.9L, 2WD, 9K miles), and the same problem. The truck rattles like a badly-tuned diesel under the slightest acceleration or grade. Took it in this morning to the dealer (Maxwell Dodge, Austin, Texas). The service rep ID'ed the problem, and recommended changing brands and octance of gas. He said the PCM fix described by other respondents caused great disatisfaction among their customers, as it "robbed power and fuel economy" from the vehicles. He actually advised against having the fix made to the PCM. However, given the dire warnings in my owner's manual and at various automotive websites about excessive spark knock, I feel I'll be going to another dealer for a second opinion.



Jeff Branch
Dodge Dakota
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1/29/2002
16:48:13

RE: Spark knock
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My 2000 Dakota with the 3.9 V6 has had the same problem. I've had it in the shop 3 times already. They've reprogrammed the PCM and used combustion chamber cleaner in it. Still knock, knock, knockin. My dealer said that that is all they can do. I don't blame them, but Dodge needs to figure this thing out. I should have kept buying Chevys.



Kelly
Dodge Dakota
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5/31/2002
00:32:53

RE: Spark knock
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I have a 2000 and a 2001 ram 1500 they both knock/rattle going up any inclines. I have been looking around for the answer. I was reading that the 3.9 uses the same plug as the 5.2 seems to me that they are useing to hot of a plug. I was reading where this guy put champion truck plug in and it fixed the problem he said that the shank is shorter. others I have read about simply put a slightly colder plug in.



scott
Dodge Dakota
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3/04/2003
18:55:51

RE: Spark knock
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I have a 2003 ram 1500 5.7l hemi and it has spark knocked from day one.The dealer wont do a thing unless the pcm has a fault code. It also will either cut off or shutter real bad when i go from reverse to drive sometimes. The pcm is telling the transmission to go into 2nd gear instead of 1st and that is what is making the engine die, but again there is no fault code for them to justify changing the pcm so for now i'm stuck with a$27,000.00 truck that only has 2,000 miles on it that spark knocks on level pavement with the least little bit of pressure on the petal.Other than the problems listed, the hemi is awesome!!!!!!!!! can anyone help me out?



tony
Dodge Dakota
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8/06/2003
07:38:30

RE: Spark knock
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i had the same problem with the shutter when going from reverse to drive. mine would get so bad no matter what you did it would just sit there and cough and sputter for a moment. the dealer flashed the pcm and took care of it, he explained that sometimes the flashing will wipe out the computer so after some pushing and yelling from me he finally flashed it. but now i have a strange knock from the passenger side rear of the motor that they don't want to do anything about, it sounds like a diesel.

2003 quad cab 4x4 hemi



tony
Dodge Dakota
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8/06/2003
07:40:02

RE: Spark knock
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the rattling came about 5000 miles after the flashing so i don't they are related



DROCK
Dodge Dakota
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9/17/2003
08:51:31

RE: Spark knock
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Same problem with spark knock my 4.7 ram did the same thing dealer flash it,but it never fix it at all now my hemi is doing the same thing,I think its really sad that we buy these trucks and there is no fix for them.I think the saying goes a dodge is still a dodge(piece of sh!!), at least they got the sleak look down to a science.Well it looks like were stuck with our trucks.



j. morgan
Dodge Dakota
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10/05/2003
18:33:06

RE: Spark knock
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I have a hemi with the good ole knock, I think its caused by those skinny exhaust manifolds trying to get all that spent fuel through a to small cat. Big intake valves take alot of gas it needs to go somewhere. I say the knock is coming from back pressure and also some who say it stalls restricted exhaust will cause same problem



j. morgan
Dodge Dakota
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10/05/2003
18:48:02

RE: Spark knock
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I going to call it the "ghost knock".
nobody knows where it's coming from or what it is.
BOOOOOO !!!!!!!
I have had the hemi looked by two dodge mechs.
they say that all the hemis have the same ghost
knock.
I say they give us a set of headers, high flow cats, modify pcm so we go over 105 m.p.h.



Ryan B.
Dodge Dakota
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10/07/2003
18:07:48

RE: Spark knock
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I am thinking of buying a 2003 dodge ram hemi but am unsure of it. The problems don't sound to fun to deal with. what is someone who owns one think I should do. It is in 4x2 and quad cab. only like 50 miles on it. Thanks



Jeff Branch
Dodge Dakota
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10/07/2003
21:20:39

RE: Spark knock
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I wouldnt do it. If your gonna spend the money on that, you should buy a Silverado or a new F150 for that matter. I have a dakota and thought my probs were related to the engine I have. Obviously Dodge needs to work on the specs of their engines. Dont do it dude.



Ron
Dodge Dakota
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11/08/2003
10:13:23

RE: Spark knock
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2000 dodge ram 5.2 26k miles removed factory champion plugs, found gap to be .47-.48 on all, replaced with autolites with a gap of .45 that the underhood sticker recommends. spark knock is now much reduced but not removed. think i will now try to regap at .44



casey
Dodge Dakota
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11/14/2003
12:12:06

RE: Spark knock
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I have a '99 Dodge Ram Quad Cab. I've been very happy with this truck and have no complaints exept one. The "ghost knock" as everybody calls it. My knock is a little different. It only knocks after the engine temp has reached the 180 or so operating range. My truck has 75,000 miles on it and I gave it a tune up last weekend but that didn't do it. I've ran higher octane fuel also and that only makes it stop sometimes. It doesn't burn any oil and that gets changed every 3000 to 4000 miles. Anybody got any advice? All advice appreciated, thanks.



tstimpso
Dodge Dakota
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12/27/2003
08:00:33

RE: Spark knock
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Seems like we have a problem folks with the knock knock dodge truck joke Ive changed timing gear and chain,crankshaft bearings tuned it up still not funny its a 99 ram 1500 with now 82000 miles 5.2 318 next step is the destributor wish me luck P.S they didnt Put a knock sensor in this one. why ???????



scott
Dodge Dakota
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12/29/2003
20:16:08

RE: Spark knock
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I have actually pulled other hemi owners off of the highway to ask them if there truck has had any spark knock trouble and they have stated other problems such as the truck only getting eight mpg. One had a coil meltdown. Another had broke some valve springs. I talked to a tech man at the dealership and he said that all the hemi's have weak valve springs. Somehow it was overlooked when they tested the engine. By the way dodge will only replace the broken ones,not the whole set.Several people have told me that the spark knock is from a lean condition.



tstimpso
Dodge Dakota
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12/30/2003
07:08:11

RE: Spark knock
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I did the tune up on my ram 1500 318 new cap,rotor and wires I also rerouted the plug wires away from the valve covers found only 7 cylinders working and found a few burn spots on the covers and inside the cap no more pinging but I still have a rod a lifter or something that keeps knocking and it comes and goes sometimes its loud even when its hot and sometimes it isnt.HELP!!!!!!



scott
Dodge Dakota
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12/30/2003
20:59:52

RE: Spark knock
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When engines get alot of miles on them you can have a little condtion called "piston slap" The pistons remain the same size but the bores are always getting bigger. The piston skirt when cold will slap against the bore and make a sound that you can actually hear. After the pistons heat up and increase in size the sound tends to go away. While this may not be what is happening to your engine it might give you a start at trying to figure out what is.
2003 spark-knocking hemi ram (thanks Dodge)



Nick G
Dodge Dakota
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1/21/2004
10:26:04

RE: Spark knock
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I have a 2001 Ram with the 3.9L. Dealer (Maxwell Dodge in Austin) Service told me this is just to be expected from this engine and that there is nothing that I can really do about it. To me thats just unacceptable. If this is a known problem with the engine; why dont they mention it when you are looking to buy it? Why because Chyrsler knows they make nothing but "quality crap" and they have to unload it. The ram is my second and final chrysler product, as I have left instructions to have myself beaten savagely if I ever buy another one.



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