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Ben
Dodge Dakota
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8/17/2003
22:50:16

Subject: oops!!!`
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Hey gang my first post on this great forum. I have learned so much from just browsing and tried my own mods today and I screwed something up(im a retard). I have a 2002 dakota QC 4x4 that just hit 33000 miles and today I switched over mobil synthetic with a mobil filter, I'm hoping to see some increases in my mileage between changes. I also removed my stock air hat and replaced it with some pvc and fernco fittings. I removed my throttle body to clean it out and this is where I screwed up. I got everything unplugged and unwired from the TB except for another cable that is next to the throttle cable. When I was moving the TB out of place I wasn't paying attention and I broke that "other cable" from the TB. It was connecting to the TB with a small plastic swivel?????? Is this thing important...did I just make a costly mistake?? I drove the truck and it was fine, I just wanna make sure nothing is gonna explode or jet me into the cosmos. any help would be appreciated.

Side note: after changing the oil and doing removing my airhat the check engine light came on for several miles but has turned off?? any ideas as to why?? has anyone else had this happen?? thanks again.

Ben



JZ
Dodge Dakota
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8/18/2003
03:34:17

RE: oops!!!`
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Ben,

It sounds like the "other cable" is the throttle cable for the cruise control. Follow the cable, if it goes to a small metal can with a plastic cone on it that is mounted on the passenger side inner fender, it's cruise control.

For your check engine light, turn the key on (not start), off, on, off, on and watch your odometer display. Any diagnostic trouble codes in your PCM will be displayed. There are some old posts on this forum that show the meaning of all of the trouble codes.




Ben
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8/18/2003
09:50:05

RE: oops!!!`
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JZ, thanks so much for the response. Are these things easy to fix on my own???



jeremy
Dodge Dakota
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8/18/2003
09:58:20

RE: oops!!!`
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ben, i did the exact same thing on my 02. it has nothing to do with the cruise control. it's connected to the tranny, and when you stomp the pedal down, that cable is what causes your truck to down shift. I took it to the dealer to tell them i broke my throttle cable, and he printed the part diagram and told me it isn't the throttle cable, but the other one(the name escapes me right now.) Anyway, no place sells just the new clip, and the dealer will give you a whole new cable for like 40 bucks or something. Unfortuntaly i was moving across country the next day so i didn't have time to wait for the new cable. So i just went to home depot and bought some epoxy. Make sure you clean it really well and let it dry for a good long time before you put any pressure on it. I've had mine epoxied now for about 10,000 miles now and no problems.



Ben
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8/18/2003
10:03:28

RE: oops!!!`
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Jeremy, thanks alot for your help. I guess I know what I'll be doing today.



02Sport+
Dodge Dakota
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8/18/2003
20:51:24

RE: oops!!!`
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If you have cruise control and an automatic transmission, there will be 2 cables in addition to the throttle cable. 1 will go to the cruise control servo mechanism, as JZ indicated...the cable curves off towards the front passenger side of the engine compartment. The other cable comes up from the rear, near the bellhousing, and is attached at the transmission. This is the "TV" cable, which helps to control the shift points of your tranny. It is sensitive to adjustment, so if you broke it and could not reattach it, you'd likely notice it right away. I'm thinking you broke the cruise control cable end clip, which you wouldn't notice unless you tried to use cruise.



Ben
Dodge Dakota
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8/18/2003
21:06:01

RE: oops!!!`
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Yea It was the cruise control cable. I tried the cruise control today and I just kept slowing down!! So I guess I will try a ghetto DIY fixxer!! thanks again for all your help.



darrell
Dodge Dakota
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8/19/2003
18:21:35

RE: oops!!!`
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Dodge spends millions of dollars enginering their cars and trucks to get the best possible performance with as little problems as possible( give or take). Now why would you change it?... because everyone else on this web site does? Just leave your truck alone. I spent 34,000 Cdn. on my 2002 quad 4x4 and I would'nt change a thing. See your already having problems. Trust me, your going to end up at the service dept.



jeremy
Dodge Dakota
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8/19/2003
18:29:05

RE: oops!!!`
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"Dodge spends millions of dollars enginering their cars and trucks to get the best possible performance"

If this was true then their wouldn't be aftermarket parts made for anything now would there? He made a simple mistake with a simple fix. No problems there. There isn't anything wrong with improving what you have, and I sure hope you don't apply that theory in all aspects of your life.



janesy
Dodge Dakota
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8/19/2003
19:01:25

RE: oops!!!`
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that other wire should be your kick down(passing gear) for over drive, when you stand on it the throttle body opens and pushes that cable back to open the valvebody in the tranny, I could be wrong but i am sure thats what it is, try cruising at highway and stand on it to see if it kicks down



Ben
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8/19/2003
21:47:27

RE: oops!!!`
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darrell,
I'm not having problems because of the mods I made I simply made a simple mistake that didn't seem to have any dire consequences. I will do what I see fit with the pickup I paid for. If you had paid for it then by all means you would be right in telling me to leave it alone. So please don't come around here telling me to leave it alone. Most things are trial and error, if people have moderate/good results with a change why shouldn't I also benefit.

For everyone else: thanks again for all the help/suggestions.

Ben



Silver Streak
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8/19/2003
23:52:06

RE: oops!!!`
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Depends. Do yo have a 5.9 or a 4.7?? If a 5.9, that second cable is for the tranny control, if a 4.7, it's for cruise control



Ben
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8/20/2003
00:01:12

RE: oops!!!`
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I have a 4.7 and its the cruise control..i tried it yesterday and my cruise didnt cruise :O





Silver Streak
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8/20/2003
00:16:18

RE: oops!!!`
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Maybe you can find a t/b from a local junk yard. I found one for $106. Make sure it's for your year, on 2000's, they had a smaller t/b size, 65mm, on '01+, they had 68mm



darrell
Dodge Dakota
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8/20/2003
15:29:09

RE: oops!!!`
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O.k I said (give or take) within reason. Everything is built to break down sooner or later. And like I said, if you did'nt make the mod in the first place you would'nt be sitting here asking for peoples advice. Just leave it alone. And in long term it will end up costing you less. I'll be spending less time at the service dept. than you. :). And for every mod all you guys make, Dodge would probably make it some kind of option package.



jeremy
Dodge Dakota
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8/20/2003
16:12:29

RE: oops!!!`
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I've been unable to find an intake kit from dodge, or exhaust, or performance TB, or.....
So should i not modify my trucks oil? Just leave the factory stuff in there and see how long it lasts? With all the mods i've done i've had to spend 3 dollars on repairs. By improving the way my engine produces power, it certainly won't die any sooner than yours. Unfortunatly our engines from the factory come very restricted. A few very simple mods can open it up quite a bit. Better gas milage, more power, where's the down side? So he's on here finding ways to improve his $20,000 + purchase, and you on here becuase you like telling people what to do? As far as being in the service department more than you, fat chance. I fail to see how IMPROVING the way your engine breathes is a bad thing.

So Ben, did you go with the epoxy or what? I just reread your original post, and.... "I also removed my stock air hat and replaced it with some pvc and fernco fittings." So are you saying you no longer have the stock air hot on? If so how did you make sure it sealed properly?



Ben
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8/20/2003
16:32:00

RE: oops!!!`
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Jeremy, I have not had the chance to go to Lowes yet for the epoxy but I will tomorrow. I did remove the stock airhat. I checked to see if there were any leaks by just feeling for them at all the connections..is there another way I should be doing it?? I tightened the clamps pretty damn tight and dont believe I have any broken seals.



Rob 1
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8/20/2003
22:42:12

RE: oops!!!`
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Mods are O.K. if you do them right with the proper materials and knowledge, especially when it comes to your engine or safety related items. For example; I've never thought it was a good idea to put huge oversize tires on a truck without modifying other driveline components to handle extra stress. I'm not a big fan of homebrew intakes although I guess some have had good success with them. But most reputible aftermarket companies spend millions of dollars on research as well ( or they don't stay in business long ) so be sure to read and follow directions. The trouble with most vehicles today is that they are built by legislators or lawmakers and not engineers. Engineers just have to figure out how to make it work and alot of times performance is sacrificed for fuel economy or emissions, etc; Therefore we have aftermarket performance manufacturers that are not hog tied by the guys in suits as bad.

Bottom line. Make sure you know what your doing before you do it and yeah we all will make an OOPS!!! now and then but hopefully we learn from it and can help others avoid it thru good sites like this and others. So I say If you got the cash and know how or want to learn Mod away.



jeremy
Dodge Dakota
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8/20/2003
22:58:00

RE: oops!!!`
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ben, removing the airhat is fine, but your making it sound like you replaced it with a home brew thing.

Perhaps your confusing the whole intake system as the airhat. The airhat is the part that is right above the throttle body. your home made pipe should connect to the stock airhat.



Ben
Dodge Dakota
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8/20/2003
23:00:26

RE: oops!!!`
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Jeremy,
I did remove the stock airhat and the 3inch fernco elbow is connected directly to the TB. The other end is connected to a 6 inch PVC piece which is then connected with a 3inch connector to the airbox.



jeremy
Dodge Dakota
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8/20/2003
23:22:06

RE: oops!!!`
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alright, i get it. I guess if the fernco works the go for it. So it goes from 3" to 6" and then back to 3"?



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