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brandoblues
Dodge Dakota
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8/15/2003
11:24:52

Subject: 91 charging problems. Computer?
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I have a 91 dak with the 5.2 and this problem has boggled me. For a few months now and then my volt guage would start dropping and lights, A/C etc would start puttering out. I figured the battery must be going south, but hit a few speedbumps and the needle would go back up to normal (14 volts or so) and everything would come back to life. Like i said this went on for months, but last weekend it ddidnt come back to life.

So.. I changed the battery and alternator thinking these were the problems. Well same thing happening. It just seems like I am getting no charge at all. Then yesterday after tinkering and charging the battery overnight, for about 3 hours the damn thing starts charging again. i drive around with my lights, a/c, radio, everything i could possibly turn on for a while. The needle is still in the 14 volt range. Well i come back home and let it sit for a while then get back in it and the needle goes down and down as the battery dies because of everything i have turned on. Quit charging again.

I checked into it and the voltage regulator is controlled by the computer. Is it possible the computer is finally going kaput?

Called a few places and the 91 computer was only made for the 91 dak, cant use any other year model, and the 91 5.2 was only made for 6 months of that year, so getting a used one is almost impossible.


Im sure i can get a new one for up to 300$ which is gonna hurt big time, but is it possible, it could be something else?

Checked all wires, no fusible links i can find so I dont think the wiring is bad.


Any clues?

Thx guys, love this website, and my Dakota.

Brandoblues



David in Ark
Dodge Dakota
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8/16/2003
13:50:51

RE: 91 charging problems. Computer?
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I just had a similar problem with my 95. Only difference I was running totally off the battery. Replaced the alternator, still didn't fix it. Then I found a connector near/under the battery that was so corroded it had broke in half. This cable went from the alternator to the power distribution center. It was "Natural" (light brown) in color. Dodge wanted to sell me an entire wiring harness, but I just went to Napa and bought a HUGE splice connector, and wrapped the heck out of it with electrical tape. Works great now. Of course, your mileage may vary . . .



GWall
Dodge Dakota
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8/17/2003
10:55:00

RE: 91 charging problems. Computer?
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If the problem turns out to be the computer, you can wire in an external voltage regulator. I'm not sure how it is done, but I have a 1991 that had one on it. It worked well but when the computer was finally replaced it was removed. It is a much less expensive fix than buying a new computer.



slowdakota
Dodge Dakota
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8/18/2003
19:33:53

RE: 91 charging problems. Computer?
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i had the same problem about a year ago. i just replaced the computer and never had the problem again.



Dave Mante
Dodge Dakota
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9/13/2003
12:52:00

RE: 91 charging problems. Computer?
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Hi, I'm having the same problem with my 91 5.2 liter dakota. Battery won't charge, the alternator and battery are fine, i think im gonna have to put a new computer in. any ideas?
-dave mate




sdesi
Dodge Dakota
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2/27/2004
12:54:32

RE: 91 charging problems. Computer?
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I am having the same problem with 3.9 v6 computer is bad what i need is the proper way to install external volt reg. can not locate a used puter at all and new is to much HELP! some body



Tony
Dodge Dakota
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2/27/2004
17:30:28

RE: 91 charging problems. Computer?
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I had the same problem on my 91 5.2 the voltage regulater craped out on me. A new computer will fix that problem.



Bruce
Dodge Dakota
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5/01/2005
00:40:31

RE: 91 charging problems. Computer?
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I am now having the same exzact problem with my 92 Dodge Dakota sport engine swaped from 5.2 Liter to a 5.9 Liter Magnum. Its still working half the time I have to use 2 batteries to go back and forth to work cant risk driving at night cause when it stops charging the lights drain the battery to quick.If you fix this problem Please tell me what you did to fix



brandoblues
Dodge Dakota
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10/06/2005
15:21:47

RE: 91 charging problems. Computer?
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replaced computer shortly after i started this thread, costs 280'ish and everything worked normal again.



Jordan
Dodge Dakota
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11/08/2015
16:05:48

RE: 91 charging problems. Computer?
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Im having the same problem batery and alternator are fine and
wire is there anyway i can fix it without a pcm



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