1990 Dodge Dakota Consumer Discussions

Dodge Dakota Stalling and Dying Problems

1990 Dodge Dakota 3.9 Automatic

Written by: 90dakotaguy on Jul 25, 2009 01:56 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, ... Read More...

Dodge Dakota Transmission Problems

1990 Dodge Dakota V-6 Tranny

Written by: 65forever on May 21, 2009 07:55 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 :) Read More...

Dodge Dakota Steering Questions

1990 Dakota steering gear pulled loose from frame crossmember

Written by: tjfitz on Aug 06, 2008 01:31 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 ... Read More...

Dodge Dakota Suspension and Axles

Special tool for carrier bearings adjustment?

Written by: tjfitz on Feb 17, 2008 05:49 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 ... Read More...

Differential ring gear size question. Need help!

Written by: tjfitz on Jan 27, 2008 01:30 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 3.56, which is ... Read More...

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

Written by: tjfitz on Jan 12, 2008 03:36 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 ... Read More...

Dodge Dakota Braking Issues

1990 Dakota Parking Brake Release Handle

Written by: tjfitz on Nov 27, 2007 11:02 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 gone to one of the local ... Read More...

Dodge Dakota Vibration

Vibration on acceleration with automatic transmission

Written by: tjfitz on Sep 08, 2007 11:45 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 ... Read More...

Dodge Dakota Engine and Underhood Questions

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

Written by: kookoo on Jun 23, 2007 08:47 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 Read More...

Dodge Dakota: Problems & Solutions

Re: 1990 dodge Dakota [dave392]

Written by: broph on Aug 17, 2006 01:48 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. Read More...