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Whip
Dodge Dakota
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12/18/2005
07:02:16

Subject: Dakota Shift Indicator Light
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Help...Please...?!


Dakota Shift Indicator Light: Could any of you good people here help me isolate and repair the My Dodge Dakota Shift Indicator Light? Is there a fuse, if so where is it located? Sending unit, also where is it located, light/bulb, ditto?

Thanks,

"WHIP"



Jecht
Dodge Dakota
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12/18/2005
08:03:38

RE: Dakota Shift Indicator Light
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why you want that to work anyways? dont you know when to shift your truck?



Whip
Dodge Dakota
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12/18/2005
08:14:52

RE: Dakota Shift Indicator Light
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Ya, That would be right...

No for a comparison on how I drive now to when the program would tell me when to shift for a Fuel Mileage Comparison and Test!?

Whip




modain
GenIII
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12/19/2005
03:06:48

RE: Dakota Shift Indicator Light
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You are posting this question in the V8 forum. To my knowledge the shift indicator light isn't functional on V8 equipped trucks. I know that because my 2002 owner's manual specifies this. It could be true for ealier and definitely later years.

So. Do you have a V8, and did it ever work for you? What year is the truck?

My guess is that shifting by the light wouldn't yield better fuel economy. I know that on my son's Dakota (the 1999 in my sig) if I were to shift when the idiot light indicated a shift I would be lugging the engine while trying to accelerate. This translates to way too much throttle at low RPMs under load. More air going into the cylinder (because of the throttle position) equals more fuel being dumped along with it. But not much usefull work is being achieved.

I have found that my trucks do the best on gas when I accelerate moderately fast to cruising speed then holding it there with very little throttle. (Not WOT. Just a firm, somewhat agressive right foot.) Going at a turtle's pace takes too long to get up to speed, and actually takes more fuel to get there.

=========================================
2002 Graphite QC SLT Plus, 4.7L, NV3500, Superchips 3715, 3.92 LSD, loads o'fun...
2001 Patriot Blue Durango SLT, 4.7L, 45RFE, Superchips 3715, 3.55 Open (for now)
1999 Forrest Green Dakota RC Sport, 2.5L, NV1500, 3.55 Open


Whip
Dodge Dakota
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12/19/2005
04:41:16

RE: Dakota Shift Indicator Light
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modain GenIII ,

It is the 4.7 Litre V8. This is the V8 Dakotas open forum isn't it? Yes, originally the light did work on the 2000 Dakota truck I have. I am a gas MISER already! I am also pretty sufficient in my shift and acceleration patterns. I am just DUMB enough to want to do a side by side comparison is all?

Thanks,

"Whip"




Jecht
Dodge Dakota
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12/19/2005
08:30:10

RE: Dakota Shift Indicator Light
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you have a V-8 and it gets bad MPG. just live with it. saving a mile or 2 per gallon isnt going to save you much in the long run. I get from 16 to 22 MPG in my 4.7 auto. I live with it and dont worry about it. if your so worried about getting better gas mileage get a 4 banger.



modain
GenIII
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12/19/2005
13:11:29

RE: Dakota Shift Indicator Light
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Yo Jecht, lighten up! I don't think Whip was complaining. The only thing he mentioned here was he wanted to do a sibe-by-side comparison between idiot light shifting and good driver shifting.

Apparently his shift light used to work on his 2000 V8 and he's wanting to restore its functionality. What's wrong with that?

=========================================
2002 Graphite QC SLT Plus, 4.7L, NV3500, Superchips 3715, 3.92 LSD, loads o'fun...
2001 Patriot Blue Durango SLT, 4.7L, 45RFE, Superchips 3715, 3.55 Open (for now)
1999 Forrest Green Dakota RC Sport, 2.5L, NV1500, 3.55 Open


toolfan
GenIII
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12/19/2005
16:29:09

RE: Dakota Shift Indicator Light
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modain the manual v8s have a shift light that comes on right at 2,300rpm.

whip try the fuse located in the fuse panel left of the steering wheel. i bet its just a blown fuse. good luck and if you want to do the comparison shift before or at 2300rpm.



daddio
Dodge Dakota
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12/19/2005
16:40:00

RE: Dakota Shift Indicator Light
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if i have the pedal to the floor mine doesn't come on at all. it usually lights up @ 2,150 when it's warmed up. about 2400 when i first start out on a cold start.



Whip
Dodge Dakota
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12/19/2005
19:03:17

RE: Dakota Shift Indicator Light
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THANKS EVERYONE!

Best Regards and Happy Holidays to You and Yours,

"Whip"



modain
GenIII
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12/19/2005
19:33:18

RE: Dakota Shift Indicator Light
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Well I am extremely happy that the light was not functional (by design) on 2002 V8 equipped Dakotas. That light serves only as an annoyance to me when I happen to see it.

I was happy when it burned out on my 1982 Audi 4000 and 1987 VW Jetta. Now it can hurry up and burn out on my 1999 Dakota.

=========================================
2002 Graphite QC SLT Plus, 4.7L, NV3500, Superchips 3715, 3.92 LSD, loads o'fun...
2001 Patriot Blue Durango SLT, 4.7L, 45RFE, Superchips 3715, 3.55 Open (for now)
1999 Forrest Green Dakota RC Sport, 2.5L, NV1500, 3.55 Open


GraphiteDak
GenIII
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12/19/2005
19:38:46

RE: Dakota Shift Indicator Light
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I don't know about the NEWER vehicles with a shift light, but I think the older ones were activated by MANIFOLD VACUUM.

When there is low load and a steady throttle the vacuum will increase and bring on the light at some point. It will come on earier with less throttle, later with heavier throttle.
Almost NEVER with full throttle since manifold vacuum would stay low until you let your foot off of it.





Whip
Dodge Dakota
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12/20/2005
03:20:22

RE: Dakota Shift Indicator Light
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THANKS EVERYONE!

But...It is not just a FUSE....SORRY!

To listen to all your Experiences and Suggestions, it would not be worth the bother anyway. I consistently already get 24 to 26 MPG in all around driving conditions with my Techniques and Expertise?

Best Regards and Happy Holidays to You and Yours,

"Whip"




sport
Dodge Dakota
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12/20/2005
21:49:48

RE: Dakota Shift Indicator Light
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MY 2000 4.7 does not have a shift light, according to the manual they only came on V6, I hate those things.



Whip
Dodge Dakota
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12/21/2005
04:02:52

RE: Dakota Shift Indicator Light
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Typo in prior posting it should be a 4.9 Litre V8. Sorry!

Thanks for the Info.....

Best Regards and Happy Holidays to You and Yours,

"Whip"




modain
GenIII
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12/21/2005
12:16:30

RE: Dakota Shift Indicator Light
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Wow Whip! Your mileage is in that range? This is fantastic. And all along I thought my 17-18 MPG was pretty good...

=========================================
2002 Graphite QC SLT Plus, 4.7L, NV3500, Superchips 3715, 3.92 LSD, loads o'fun...
2001 Patriot Blue Durango SLT, 4.7L, 45RFE, Superchips 3715, 3.55 Open (for now)
1999 Forrest Green Dakota RC Sport, 2.5L, NV1500, 3.55 Open


John Force
Dodge Dakota
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12/21/2005
15:16:59

RE: Dakota Shift Indicator Light
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Message:
i dont need no stinking light! i shift just before the rods get kicked out.



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