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dogcatcher
Dodge Dakota
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9/08/2008
23:08:07

Subject: '89 3.9L Stalls
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I have a 2wd '89 Dakota with a 3.9L with an OD automatic trans. The truck is completely stock and has the nasty habit of stalling at any time. Wheather ideling or cruising down the freeway suddenly it will stall. Sometimes it will start right up sometimes you have to wait 15 to 30 minutes before it will start up. Any Ideas? It's driving me nuts. The computer flashes a "34" fault code - speed control vacuum or vent control solenoid circuit(s)?



?
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9/10/2008
08:34:08

RE: '89 3.9L Stalls
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Fuel pump ? When it won't start , do you smell gas
or no ? If answer = no , then fuel pump problem .
If you smell gas - means no spark .
Possible wiring harness problem - not sure if that year has that splice in the harness
about 6 to 10 inches into it under
fuse/relay box ?



trev1
Dodge Dakota
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9/10/2008
17:28:07

RE: '89 3.9L Stalls
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Change the coil it will do this. It took me a month to find the problem on mine. I changed the fuel pump, TPS, wires...and several other parts and it turned out to be the coil. Real PIA to find......

Trevor in SWMO



dogcatcher
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9/10/2008
18:02:23

RE: '89 3.9L Stalls
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Thanks guys, The engine compartment smells just like you just shut off the engine. I thought about the coil breaking down just the other day. Yesterday I bought a vacuum test kit and confirmed that the EGR valve won't hold vacuum, so it will have to be replaced. Will still replace the coil though. Thanks again.



Rockin Rog
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9/15/2008
22:16:52

RE: '89 3.9L Stalls
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Did you ever confirm your problem here...wish you'd post an update!

I'm having a similar(ish) problem at times with a rough idle just when I start it from a night of rest and want some suggestions like yours!



dogcatcher
Dodge Dakota
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9/15/2008
23:13:09

RE: '89 3.9L Stalls
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I have only confirmed that the EGR valve is no good. My Haines manual says that a faulty EGR valve will cause a rough idle and stalling. I was off work for 5 weeks with no income so things are a little tight, to put it mildly. Don't have the money to buy an EGR valve yet Maybe in a couple weeks. Good thing the Dak isn't my only transport.

Dogcatcher



Rockin Rog
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9/16/2008
10:33:54

RE: '89 3.9L Stalls
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Ahh ok Dogcatcher...I feel for your situation. Will peek here in the future.



dogcatcher
Dodge Dakota
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9/17/2008
18:29:07

RE: '89 3.9L Stalls
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Rockin Rog, I don't know what neck of the woods you are from but here in Florida we have Advance Auto Parts. They will "rent" you a vacuum test kit for $15. If you bring it back you get your $15 back. If you keep it you just bought it. That's how I got mine, beats paying $60 for a new one. It comes in it's own case and has all the accesories needed to check vacuum operated valves and bleed brakes. I just got through bleeding the Dakota's brakes. A lot of air in the rear drums. I'll have to keep an eye on that. After I got out of the Marines in '73 I was a motorcycle mechanic in two bike shops (Honda & Kawasaki) and a Service Mgr. in a Suzuki shop. Ive' always worked on my own cars starting with my 1st one in '66, a '53 chevy 2 door coupe, 235 cid 6 cyl, PowerGlide and black diamond tuck naugahide interior. But Ive mostly been a bike man. My next one will be my 28th, whenever that happens and it will. Keep on truckin Rog.

Dogcatcher



daddio
Dodge Dakota
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9/17/2008
21:36:42

RE: '89 3.9L Stalls
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Rockin Rog, FYI if your truck is '96 - '04 you won't have an EGR valve to worry about.



J and J Auto
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9/18/2008
03:09:44

RE: '89 3.9L Stalls
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The best way to check that is next time it stalls
have a plug wrench handy and pop a plug out

Wet - losing ignition

Dry - losing fuel

sounds like the fuel pump to me

Larry
J&J Auto

dogcatcher
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9/18/2008
21:46:39

RE: '89 3.9L Stalls
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Thanks Larry. You know , I was just so frustrated with the darn thing I hadn't even thought of pulling a plug or two. I aught to kick myself in the head! Thanks for making me think of the basics.

Dogcatcher



J and J Auto
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9/21/2008
01:49:45

RE: '89 3.9L Stalls
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I think its the easyest way to go

You can instantly pinpoint if its electrical (ign)
or a fuel problem

on the older cars before converters when you would
lose fuel pressure and run lean you could smell
the sweet smell of the carbon burning off from
being lean or a gasy smell from being rich just
by getting a wiff of the exhaust when the car
would pull into the garage

Larry
J&J Auto

dogcatcher
Dodge Dakota
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2/09/2009
21:45:54

RE: '89 3.9L Stalls
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Sorry it's been so long getting back to the board. to bring you all up to date. I replaced the EGR valve with a Junkyard one (after testing with a hand vacuum gun, both the EGR and the regulator tested fine. voila, a $60.00 EGR valve for $20.00. I had a big flat spot just off idle that the computer couldn't compesate for. I tore down the throttle body and and found a lot of junk in the vacuum area along with a blocked fuel passage. cleared that up using fuel injection cleaner. Put every thing back together and the truck ran fine for about three weeks, then the alternator went out. took it back to the parts store where I had bought it and they replaced it no questions asked! About 3 - 4 weeks later the water heater hose from the manifold to the heater valve split open. while trying to get the hose off of the heater valve I broke the heater valve connection.I about a week and my wallet $35.00 lighter I should be back in buissiness All the hoses are spongy, so will have to slowly replace them all!

dogcatcher



Dakota49
Gen I
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2/10/2009
20:32:40

RE: '89 3.9L Stalls
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dogcatcher, it sounds like you are getting it together I know when money is tight it can take a while.
Good Luck
Dakota49
1988 3.9 4X4 5speed

dakota49

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3/10/2009
13:16:58

RE: '89 3.9L Stalls
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dakota49; I know that the truck is 20 yrs old and is going to need some work. I told my wife that it would take about $400-$450 to get it legal and on the road. As soon as I replaced some major components and got it running, more or less, she figured I was through spending money. Now when I tell her that I need to replace a water hose (original 192K mi.) She complains about "that money pit". Can't live with them, can't live without them.

dogcatcher



gmachanic
Dodge Dakota
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6/07/2011
10:27:40

RE: '89 3.9L
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Just bought the truck. I was told the brakes needed bleed
and that's all that was wronge with it. Well I bleed the brakes
wheel to wheel then the master. You can pump the brakes
and the pedal gets tight when the truck is off as soon as you
turn the truck on the pedal goes straight to the floor. There
is no more air comeing out of any of the lines. Any ideas?



gmachanic
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6/07/2011
10:31:37

RE: '89 3.9L
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Just bought the truck. I was told the brakes needed bleed
and that's all that was wronge with it. Well I bleed the brakes
wheel to wheel then the master. You can pump the brakes
and the pedal gets tight when the truck is off as soon as you
turn the truck on the pedal goes straight to the floor. There
is no more air comeing out of any of the lines. Any ideas?



Bob Lincoln
Dodge Dakota
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6/08/2011
08:12:00

RE: '89 3.9L Stalls
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Well, this is not the cause, but the proper technique is to bleed the master cylinder first, then the wheels.

You may have a bad vacuum booster.



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