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Dakota Performance
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John Kirisits
Dodge Dakota
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5/29/2001
18:47:04

Subject: rough idle
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Howdy all... I just got a 98 with the 3.9L. It idles rather rough.. is this normal? I have changed plugs, wires, cap, etc... even put in a K&N filter, still idles rough. Is this normal? Does anyone know a fix? Thanks in advanced...
john



Kris239
Gen II
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5/30/2001
16:38:30

RE: rough idle
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My truck would idle rough after I started it. What I noticed is when I changed my distributor cap the screws loosened themselves a little causing moisture to get inside the cap. I tightend them down and it runs great now, check to see if yours are lose.

Kris Harnack
1994 Dodge Dakota SLT
3.9L V6 / RC / SB / Auto

Dan Gruber
Gen III
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5/30/2001
18:58:49

RE: rough idle
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It depends on how you define rough. If you define rough as missing, coughing, popping, backfiring, etc, then it is not normal. If you define rough as a shake at idle but otherwise running fine, then it might be normal. The 3.9 is an inherently unbalanced engine...any V6 with anything other than 60 degrees separating the cylinder banks will have a shake at idle, unless equipped with a balance shaft or an appropriately counterweighted crankshaft. The 3.9 has 90 degrees between the cylinder banks and no balance shaft because it is essentially a 5.2 V8 with 2 cylinders lopped off the end...by the way, 90 degrees produces a smooth and balanced V8. If you think that yours is running rough but can't find anything simple wrong (it sounds like you covered your bases on that), there is a cheap way to find out if yours is rougher than normal. Go test drive a new or used V6 dakota from a dealership. Anything you drive there should be running correctly. That will give you a baseline from which to make an assessment.

By the way, another possibility could be loose or broken motor or transmission mounts.

Dan
2000 CC SLT 4.7 4X4 Auto 3.55 LSD

Devon
Dodge Dakota
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5/30/2001
19:26:28

RE: rough idle
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Thats normal with the v6. When I got my 98 Dakota V6 first I brought it back to the dealer and then to 2 other garages. None of them could find any thing wrong. I changed the plugs, wires, distribitor cap, rotor button and new air filter to no avail. I just accept the slight rough idle for I hear many other dakota owners complain of the same thing. You may also find it occassionally stalling when you ship from drive to park.



smartDakowner
Dodge Dakota


5/30/2001
19:50:40

RE: rough idle
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Dan you've got it exactly right. The 3.9 fires anywhere from 90 degrees in rotation to 150 degrees in rotation, instead of the 120 degrees between each firing of the cylinders that an In line' 60, or 120 degree block would allow, causing the inherently rough idle. Don't like it? oh well.



Mar
Dodge Dakota


5/31/2001
10:22:50

RE: rough idle
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Check or clean your IAC Plunger on the throttle body. I have a 5.9 and it idled like crap. Someone on this form told me to clean it and I did and i also cleaned the whole throttle body. NOW ITS CLOSE TO PERFECT. I owe it to this form.



BMac
Dodge Dakota
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6/01/2001
06:15:02

RE: rough idle
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I heard someone say that an MSD box, coil and wires would clean the idle up some to a tolerable level. I bought one for my '94 V6 but a '98 V8 came along at a good price and it went on that instead :)



bill-bell
Dodge Dakota
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8/23/2002
18:42:17

RE: rough idle
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I just purchased a 2002 dakota with a 3.9L and it has a rough idle. i was concerbed and took it back to the dealer and he said it was normal.
I had a Ranger and it was great, Maybe I made a mistake.



darn 4-banger
Dodge Dakota
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8/26/2002
10:35:06

RE: rough idle
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i have a 4-cyl 98, when i start up in the morning's, and most of the time through the day, she almost want to die. it really worries me that she will keel over on me. what should i do to prevent the rough idle?????



dakotaaggie06
Dodge Dakota
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9/10/2002
01:06:05

RE: rough idle
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I had the same problem, but I added a fuel additive called RXP this week and it seems to help a little bit so it may just be clogged injectors



Deep Purple
Gen III
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9/10/2002
07:55:49

RE: rough idle
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I a set of injectors cause a very rough idle. User a diagnostic scope at our VocTec school to confirm the injectors were bad. Pro cleaning will cost over $100. For a few dollars more you can get the 19# FMS injectors from Five0Motosports.com
You'll run smother than stock injectors, they'er cheaper and may add alittle bit to the performance too.



LOGIC71B
Dodge Dakota
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9/10/2002
17:25:06

RE: rough idle
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Deep Purple,

Do the 19# FMS injectors reduce your fuel milage?



Mrs Lee
Dodge Dakota
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5/20/2010
12:45:17

RE; Radio comes and goes
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1994 Dodge Dakota, radio wasn't running when I bought this a few weeks ago then suddenly started working. Drove to work today stopped working again!! Any ideas why this would be happening. Husband pulled radio out didn't see anything obvious. Any thoughts?

Thanks!



Mark
Forum Moderator
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5/25/2010
13:34:18

RE: rough idle
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If the connections are ok then the radio could be broken. To check the connections you can probably do this with a simple test light. There is a constant power and an accessories on power. You might also want to test the ground.

-Mark Hryckiewicz
1993 Sport RC SB 5.2L Auto




David thomas
Dodge Dakota
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7/01/2011
16:39:00

RE: rough idle
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have a 01 dakota it has a rough idle and a bad hesitation at take off and will pop and crack at low sppeds if you cram it down will take gas and run fine until you back off too low speeds again any ideas



yeah
Dodge Dakota
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7/13/2011
16:19:32

RE: rough idle
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it's a high mileage piece of crap that should be
sent out and crushed



tony
Dodge Dakota
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9/02/2012
14:12:31

RE: rough idle
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I just bought a 99 and it had a rough idle. Brought it in to shop
two cracked heads later new heads timing belt water pump
and 2000 more dollars later. The idle was bad when I bought
it it didn't stall but it rattled pretty bad . Now it still has a shake
at idle but the tack is spot on before it jumped around. So if
you have a big rattle at idle and the tack jumps around and
the check engine light comes on and says something about
cylinder two you might have cracked heads. If you can fill a
little shake in your hands and feet at a stop sign you have a
dodge 3.9 v6. Lucky us.



matt
Dodge Dakota
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4/30/2015
09:49:32

RE: rough idle
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I have a 93 dodge dakota that wont stay
running rough idle and shaking sounds like
it sucking.to much air we changed all the
sensors in the throttle body as well ass
rotor button and distributer spark plugs
and wire can't figure it out



histnut1066
Dodge Dakota
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8/27/2015
10:45:33

RE: rough idle
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I have the same idle issue. It is a 2007
dakota with just under 102000 miles. I just
noticed it today when I got to work. It will
isle smooth and then lopes up briefly. I
turned off a/c and still there. Going to
replace spark plugs this weekend. Any ideas?
Also any anticipated cost for suggested
replacement parts and servicing. Thanks!



JC
Dodge Dakota
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6/07/2016
22:00:36

RE: rough idle
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I have a 93 dakota with the 5.2l in it. Used to run great, now it won't run unless your foot is on the gas pedal, and then it runs rough. I have replaced the speed sensor, cap and rotor and the ignition module, new spark plug wires and plugs, put in a 60,000 volt coil...it still runs the same way. Maybe it's time to put a chevy heartbeat in it?! No fords, not since they got rid of all American workers and moved to mexico; screw ford!



W.A.M
Dodge Dakota
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6/08/2017
13:41:52

RE: rough idle
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Ok I have a 2001 dodge dakota sport. It's has a miss
in it. I've checked all the plugs...wires
distributor roster button fuel injectors..its not
losing water so no cracked heads. It's getting fuel.
Can someone please give me any other ideas to check.
It's doesn't run on 1000 rpms just a notch
below...and these trucks u can't adjust the
idleing??? Help






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