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Rowdyrod
Dodge Dakota
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11/16/2001
14:06:45

Subject: 3.9 starter removal
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How do I remove the starter from my 88 dakota with a 3.9 v6 engine?



metalgreendak
Dodge Dakota


11/16/2001
21:07:53

RE: 3.9 starter removal
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I had to do this on my 87 and its a bitzch their are two bolts that you will have a really really really hard time getting to and then once you get them loose you have to pull them out between the engine and the fender. You also have to disconnect the steering rod. It is really difficult and takes about 4 hours if you are not a pro



loku
Dodge Dakota
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11/20/2001
23:52:25

RE: 3.9 starter removal
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The only way I was able to do it was to buy a socket wrench with two knuckle joints. This way, you can bend the wrench to the odd angles you need. Then get your wife/girlfriend to unbolt it because her smaller hands get actually get up in there!



Bryan
Dodge Dakota
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1/14/2003
21:42:22

RE: 3.9 starter removal
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Hey Folks,
Ok, How do you get the steering rod apart? I have the bolt in the middle out. It looks to me like where the rod enters the bottom u-joint that ought to be a removeable cap. Is that correct?




DAVID
Dodge Dakota
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5/06/2003
09:54:25

RE: 3.9 starter removal
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HAYNES MANUAL DOESN,T TELL YOU HOW TO REMOVE STEERING ROD.CAN ANYBODY HELP? PLEASE!



Bryan
Dodge Dakota
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5/06/2003
19:54:40

RE: 3.9 starter removal
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Here is the only way I found to do it. Remove the bolt from the middle of the steering rod(It secures the rod from your steering wheel in a sleeve above the U-joint on top of the rack and pinion) Remove the 4 screws that hold the access panel under the steering column in the cab of the truck. Check for any wiring that might impede you dropping the column. Remove the shift indicator wire from the slot under the column, noting how it is wound into its slot. Remove the support from under the column. Let the steering wheel drop and rest on the truck seat. Pull the rod from the sleeve, as mentioned above, and let the sleeve drop toward the front of the truck. This will allow access to the top of the starter so you can remove the wiring and the top starter bolt. When all that is undone it helps to have an assistant to lift the starter through the opening you have created since someone usually has to be under the truck, pulling the starter free of the stud mount and pushing the starter through the opening. I hope this procedure makes sense to everyone. If not, post again and I'll try to clarify.



Kracker
Dodge Dakota
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5/06/2003
22:50:10

RE: 3.9 starter removal
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About the starter, removal is a WHOLE lot easier if you have a hoist available to raise your vehicle, otherwise, its not easy at all.

---Kracker



David
Dodge Dakota
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5/07/2003
15:36:19

RE: 3.9 starter removal
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Thanks for the information Bryan that's easier than removing the steering box.Me and the war department appreciate it.Oh, last week it was the water pump.It seems like problems come in two's and three's.



Oregon Dakota
Dodge Dakota
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5/08/2003
02:30:57

RE: 3.9 starter removal
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I just did exactly that this last weekend. on my 87 2wd. It's easier than you might think. Put truck up on wheel ramps. Suspension isn't an issue, the crossmember is. Use socket extensions and u-joints to get the top bolt out (it's 5/8") Easiest to go at it from above. Bottom nut and terminals are easy. From below, push starter fwd and up to clear the steering linkage. Rotate 90 to 120 degrees clockwise and pull back and down. btwn the crossmember and bell housing. You'll find a shallow portion of the casing that allows it to barely clear. Do just opposite to put new one in. Tip: tranmission cooler lines have a bracket that the top bolt supports; it does NOT go Between the starter and the bell housing




zer0o
Dodge Dakota
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9/07/2003
23:14:52

RE: 3.9 starter removal
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i am doing the starter take out thing and it blows my ass haha anywayz i did the whole lowering the the wheel and letting it rest on my seat and both bolts are out but im still having a hard hard time getting the starter out i can get it bout half way but then it doesnt go anywhere so if anyone can help me to see what im not doning plzz let me know thx



Joe
Dodge Dakota
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9/08/2003
04:23:19

RE: 3.9 starter removal
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On my 92 Haynes said I needed to remove the steering arm but I didnt have to. I was taking apart the starter by accident when I was removing it. I put the new one in without any problem with the steering in tact. So maybe it'll be the same way on your 88.



jswagner
Dodge Dakota
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9/08/2003
16:09:34

RE: 3.9 starter removal
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I have an 87 4x4. Changing the starter sucked because i have the skidplate group. But I didnt have to remove the steering arm. The hardest part was lining the bolts up to put it back in.



Rooster
Dodge Dakota
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9/08/2003
16:20:33

RE: 3.9 starter removal
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On an 88 there should be room I think... On my old 87 I found it pretty easy to take the manafold off and go that rout.



zer0o
Dodge Dakota
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9/09/2003
22:13:55

RE: 3.9 put a new starter in but dont get power to
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i dont know why i dont get power to my starter my radio works my wiper works n when i test my stater it turns over but not when i put my cables on the battery oh and yes my battery has good charge so any idea?




Maximus
Dodge Dakota
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11/18/2003
16:44:26

RE: 3.9 starter removal
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HELP!! I'm a mechanical novice. I have a 95 V6 2wd Dodge Dakota with a blown starter (I hope). What I need to know is, WHERE is the starter on the truck, and when I find it, how do I get it out??? HELP!!!!!!!!



Duane
Dodge Dakota
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3/08/2004
20:33:37

RE: 3.9 starter removal
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Forget all the other tips on removing the starter on the 87 Dakota. They are BS. If you have a 3.9 ltr 87 model two wheel drive, after removing the two bolts that secure it, and the two wires, remove the bottom bolt/stud that fastens the starter, just back it out, then take a recipricating saw (sawzall) with a fine tooth metal cutting blade, a new blade is best. There is a bracket coming off the frame/chassis, you'll know the one, it is in the way, it has a threaded nut welded on it, just cut about 1/4 " off the end of it and out comes the starter, no problem-o Your welcome!



Mr Ed
Dodge Dakota
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5/12/2004
23:11:49

RE: 3.9 starter removal
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Try accessing the starter through the wheel well. It worked for me.



bigm_l_b
Dodge Dakota
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5/13/2004
01:15:31

RE: 3.9 starter removal
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This isnt as hard as its made out to be. I feel like a pro at starters, I have had to replace mine 4 times in a row. The first one crapped out, so i bought a bosch and put it in, then the bolts came loose and and messed itseld up, so i got another one, then that one didnt even work, so i put another one on. It is true, it is easier to go at it from the top and then the bottom, it will come out with no problems, you just have to twist it the right way. Yeah and also, I have that the hardest part is lining the bolts up to put it back on



Jeffrey
Dodge Dakota
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6/15/2004
08:24:05

Starter problems
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We have a 96 Dodge Dakota with a bad starter. We finally got the starter out to replace it with a new one...however, we could not get the adjoining piece off...How do you get to the nuts and bolts of that piece? In addition, we tried to place the starter piece we did get out with a new piece. We got the starter to mount to the truck okay, but we couldn't get the casing for the starter to close properly. Now we have no way of getting it to the garage. Any suggestions on the best way to disconnect the adjoining part of the starter and how to get the starter case closed?



Santa Claus
Dodge Dakota
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9/28/2004
12:18:10

RE: 3.9 starter removal
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Ok Girls, let me tell you an easy way to remove the starter from a 92 Dodge Dakota 4x4. I parked vehicle on 4 inch cement blocks.Remove both battery terminals. Next, jack up the driver side, seeing that is the side the starter was on. Remove front wheel. Put in a jack stand under driver side frame for safety. Next, remove spash shield from wheel well so you can see engine, i just removed the rear plastic pins and folded it back out of the way. You can now see starter :). Using a 5/8in 3inch deepwell socket and a 4 inch extension remove top bolt (very easy) but clearance is small so only small rachet movements are possible. Next with same deepwell socket and extension, slide under the starter until seated on bottom nut (the bottom is a nut, not a bolt). Install rachet onto end, and remove bottom nut (is also a lock washer on bottom) Now slide the starter back until you can pull it out of the opening you have been using to remove the bolts.This whole process should take you less than 10 minutes :). Once you have starter out of opening, remove the two power wires from starter, which is quite easy now. Now, to re-install the new starter, attach the wires before you put the starter thru the access area, then slide starter thru opening with the power wire end first. slide starter back onto bottom stud to re-istall it. I installed the top bolt loosely , then, go under vehicle, you can see the starter bottom stud. Slide on the lock washer, then finger start the nut onto the stud. Get out from under vehicle. Using the same socket assembly, tighter the bottom nut, then the top bolt. This whole process will take you less than 20 minutes. I did this in pouring rain, and the worst problem I had was the raindrops falling on my head. Hope this help you ....Santa



moparman
Dodge Dakota
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9/28/2004
17:11:45

RE: 3.9 starter removal
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I'm glad that I didn't have to go through all that to get my starter out. I have a 95 4x4,all I did was jack it up support on jack stands. Remove the steering arm,pull the starter out put the new one back in. Had It done and running in less than a 1/2hr.,and that was going and getting the new starter. As far as getting the bolts out of the starter,3/8 ract. and ext. Wasn't all that hard.



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