1990 Dodge Dakota Consumer Discussions

Dodge Dakota Warning Lights and Trouble Codes

• Check Engine code 41

  Written by: tjfitz on Nov 17, 2011 12:14:45 PM

  My 1990 Dodge Dakota has been lighting-up the "Check Engine" light now and then over the past two months or so. I did the ignition switch off-on-off thing and got code 41, which I believe has something to do with the generator. This morning I started the engine and, as I also notice now and then, the starter wouldn't engage on the first try, but did on the second. This may ... Read More

Dodge Dakota Stalling and Dying Problems

• Re: Dodge Dakota [rtjmo]

  Written by: elwell on Jul 24, 2010 10:28:55 AM

  My 1990 Dakota did exactly the same thing as you describe. Very hard to troubleshoot. In the end it was the distributor and or module within. $60 at Autozone. Never had another problem.

• Re: 2002 3.9l Dodge Dakota with automatic transmission that stalls in reverse. [bcbaxter]

  Written by: elwell on Jul 21, 2010 6:12:40 AM

  Athough my Dakota is a 1990, it's 3.9 with auto was dying while running and then starting again after a min. If traveling fast enough, it would dye and jerk and restart itself while still in drive. Finally changed the distributor and it's module and that did the trick. Modules come premounted in the distributor. $60! Autozone.

Dodge Dakota problem

• Re: I have a 2002 Dodge Dakota HELP!!!! [skrapper69]

  Written by: darkfyre07 on Nov 7, 2010 6:19:11 AM

  I'm not a car expert, but I am a computer expert, and when the most basic operation that runs through the on board computer won't work, I'd have to say that might or might not be the problem. try going to a scrapyard, taking a computer out of a matching dakota, and seeing if that fixes anything. I had a 1990 Toyota Camry that got hit by lightning a few times ... Read More

Dodge Dakota Stalling and Dying Problems

• Re: 1990 Dodge Dakota 3.9 Automatic [cy70x7]

  Written by: ithappens on Dec 12, 2009 8:55:25 AM

  Also it helps too change out the foul plugs from repeated engine starts during trouble shoooting..LOL

• Re: 1990 Dodge Dakota 3.9 Automatic [cy70x7]

  Written by: ithappens on Dec 12, 2009 8:53:47 AM

  I found out that the new crank position sensor was bad(1st one) got another and in fired right up, Thanks for the reply

• Re: 1990 Dodge Dakota 3.9 Automatic [90dakotaguy]

  Written by: cy70x7 on Dec 12, 2009 7:33:57 AM

  I just joined and I know your post was months ago. I have had the same problem and scanned my computer and found that I had no crank position signal. I assumed it would be a crank position sensor but found that even though the dealer and the parts store said I had one, I found that a 1990 dodge 3.9L does not. The loss of signal was coming from the ... Read More

• Re: Dodge Dakota [bcbaxter]

  Written by: elwell on Aug 5, 2010 2:06:32 PM

  I'll post this again. I was very glad when my Daktoa nightmare ended and it was not an easy troubleshoot. BUT. Mine is a 1990 3.9 V6 with auto...180000mi. Yea it started dying out and became more and more frequent. It would start back up after a few mins. Many dangerous stalls in traffic. Turned out to be the distributor and module within. $60 at autozone. Running great ever since!

Dodge Dakota Transmission Problems

• 1990 dodge dakota (transmission problems)

  Written by: moparfreak2 on Jan 23, 2010 2:20:59 AM

  i have 1990 dodge dakota 4x4 with a(a500transmission with overdrive),,the problem is ,the transmission chatters when i step down on the gas to hard,it also bucks when i drive down the road? any suggestion,,and does anyone know if i can put a 4 speed in it and if so,where do i find it?

Dodge Dakota Stalling and Dying Problems

• 1990 Dodge Dakota 3.9 Automatic

  Written by: 90dakotaguy on Jul 25, 2009 1:56:20 PM

  Hi all, I have a 1990 Dodge Dakota 3.9 V6 Automatic. I have an issue where after starting the truck and letting it run for about 15 minutes it stalls and will not start for about another 30-45 minutes. Now I've replaced everything that I thought it might be and still havent solved the problem. I've replaced the ECM, distributor cap and rotor, auto shutdown relay, fuel pump, fuel filter, coolant ... Read More

Dodge Dakota Transmission Problems

• 1990 Dodge Dakota V-6 Tranny

  Written by: 65forever on May 21, 2009 7:55:11 PM

  Hi-My son-in-law gave my son a Dakota with 79,000 miles on it.He replaced the transmission a few months before giving it to him.What would cause it to not go into overdrive?The button on the dash lights up but it doesnt activate.Any help is greatly appreciated!Steve :)

Dodge Dakota Steering Questions

• 1990 Dakota steering gear pulled loose from frame crossmember

  Written by: tjfitz on Aug 6, 2008 1:31:33 PM

  My daughter has a 1990 Dodge Dakota (with automatic transmission, power steering and 3.9 L gasoline engine) that she inherited from her older brother. The truck has been all over the place, and last September was driven from Idaho to North Dakota. I've noticed a kind of "cracking" feel as the steering wheel is turned, and put it down to wear in one or both tie rod ends. This last weekend, ... Read More

Dodge Dakota Suspension and Axles

• Special tool for carrier bearings adjustment?

  Written by: tjfitz on Feb 17, 2008 5:49:01 AM

  I'm going to replace the differential carrier bearings in my 1990 Dodge Dakota rear wheel drive and have read that Dodge says to use their tool C-4164 (costs about $60) to spin the adjuster used to tighten and loosen the load on the bearings. There is an interesting discussion about using a torsion bar from a 1970s era Chrysler/Dodge/Plymouth vehicle as a substitute for the special tool. Several posts in the ... Read More

• Differential ring gear size question. Need help!

  Written by: tjfitz on Jan 27, 2008 1:30:19 PM

  I removed the cover of my 1990 Dakota's rear differential (it's a 2-wheel drive) and counted 39 teeth on the ring gear and 11 on the pinion gear. Stamped on the ring gear is this: 2852943 - 3.55, also 10 25 89. I'm guessing the 10 25 89 is the date of manufacture, October 25, 1989. I've measured the gear ratio by turning the tire and the drive shaft and got ... Read More

• Experts say bad wheel bearings: replaced them, but front end still noisy

  Written by: tjfitz on Jan 12, 2008 3:36:17 PM

  I have a 1990 Dodge Dakota, 3.9 L gasoline engine, two-wheel drive with about 150,000 miles on the odometer. I've been noticing a kind of "swish-swish" sound coming from up front by the wheels and lately it has been getting to be more of a "grind-grind" sound. It seems to happen twice per wheel revolution, although I could not swear to that. I put the front end up on stands and ... Read More

Dodge Dakota Braking Problems

• 1990 Dakota Parking Brake Release Handle

  Written by: tjfitz on Nov 27, 2007 11:02:42 AM

  This morning it was 4 degrees, F, and I drove my 1990 Dakota around the block. At a stop sign, I put on the parking brake. When the way was clear, I pulled the brake release handle and it flew off in my hand and landed on the seatback. Luckily the brake had released. I rang our local Dodge dealer and learned a new plastic handle costs $25! I could have ... Read More

Dodge Dakota Vibration

• Vibration on acceleration with automatic transmission

  Written by: tjfitz on Sep 8, 2007 11:45:04 AM

  My daughter's 1990 Dodge Dakota with the 3.9 L engine and automatic transmission with overdrive has developed a vibration. It happens when accelerating while in gear. If the gear selector is set to neutral while rolling, and the engine rpm is speeded up, the vibration doesn't occur. The vibration appears to me to be coming from the front of the pickup. The Haynes manual gives several possible causes, all related to ... Read More

Dodge Dakota Engine and Underhood Questions

• Re: Dodge Dakota: Engine/Underhood Questions [kcram]

  Written by: kookoo on Jun 23, 2007 8:47:32 AM

  hi,i'm sorry if i used the wrong place to ask but i'm new &lost. Q:i have 89 dakota 3.9L that gives me very bad milage/gas.i would like to install a 1990 4.0L cherookee engine that i have do you think it is possible?????i know that both dakota and cherokee come in 4 cyl 2.5l engines. thank you

Dodge Dakota: Problems & Solutions

• Re: 1990 dodge Dakota [dave392]

  Written by: broph on Aug 17, 2006 1:48:20 PM

  I had the same problem with my 1990 dakota, riding at 65 in rush hour traffic when everything died. I was able to get it going again to get it home. Diagnosis was a new computer and distributor by a reputiple mechanic. Just a thought. I also had a Chevy Blazer that would crank but would not start, that also needed a distributor.

• 1990 dodge Dakota

  Written by: dave392 on Aug 17, 2006 9:31:49 AM

  1990 dodge Dakota driving down the hwy and the engine just quits running no cough just dies, I find it has no spark checked the coil has 12v to it and 1.5 ohm across the terminal the cap and rotor look’s good At this point I’m stuck. I need some help on the next steps to take to go to from here. It cranks but wont start or run it has ... Read More

• More on Neutral Safety Switch

  Written by: tjfitz on Aug 15, 2006 12:28:22 PM

  Hope I'm not annoying people with my posts on the 1990 Dakota starting problem. However, I just found the below quote (edited by me) on the Internet, in connection with installation of a remote starting switch. It only refers to pre-1996 Dakotas with 2.5 liter engines, but my 3.9 liter engine 1990 Dodge Dakota certainly has its automatic transmission gear selector lever on the steering column, too, and I wonder if ... Read More

• Neurtral safety switch acting-up?

  Written by: tjfitz on Aug 15, 2006 11:49:46 AM

  I posted a question on a 1990 Dodge Dakota under numbers 4288 and 4227, having to do with intermittent starting problems. Now I am beginning to suspect it has something to do with the Neutral Safety Switch. The pickup has an automatic transmission, and the gear shift lever is a little reluctant to move easily at times. My daughter has found that jiggling the lever back and forth around neutral seems ... Read More

• Continuing problem with 1990 Dakota starting

  Written by: tjfitz on Aug 7, 2006 12:02:11 PM

  Hello again. I posted a history of a problem with a 1990 Dodge Dakota on June 5th. It is posting #4227. I was in the US all of July and had a look at the pickup at my sister's house in Minneapolis and all seemed OK, but I am certainly no expert on auto electrics. I am back in Ireland now, and my daughter and son have driven from Minneapolis to ... Read More

• 1990 won't start

  Written by: tjfitz on Jun 5, 2006 10:15:16 AM

  About 5 years ago in North Dakota, I bought a used 1990 Dodge Dakota with a 3.9 L engine and automatic transmission with overdrive. My son and I drove it from to Minnesota then from there to Florida and back and left the pickup with my daughter who used it while spending the summer in Minnesota with my sister. The daughter had an episode of the pickup stopping on a highway ... Read More

Midsize Pickup Comparo

• Re: Toykick [toykick]

  Written by: varmint on Jan 25, 2006 10:50:48 AM

  "honda did build a large displacement engine... and its in the ridgeline... i wouldnt call it an advancement in technology since The big 3 have v8 engines which are more fuel efficient then the ridgeline and have more power to boot not to mention they're probably cheaper also.." LOL. I wouldn't call it "advanced technology" either. Not since it's been in mass production since the early 1990s. And the only way ... Read More

Dodge Dakota: Problems & Solutions

• 1990 Dakota blower motor location

  Written by: alakatos on May 29, 2005 2:29:52 PM

  I need help finding the location of the blower motor fan for my 1990 Dodge Dakota. I'm 17 and trying to rebuild it. If the library was open I could get a manual for it, but not possible. Can ANYBODY PLEASE HELP ME?

• no headlights

  Written by: spzero on May 23, 2005 4:33:42 PM

  i have a 1990 dodge dakota.2 wheel drive. 3.9 liter v6. i recently tried to install a cd player by myself. i think i might have blown a fuse or wire somewhere. the headlights,panel lights,and brake lights dont work. any advice