2003 Dodge Dakota Consumer Discussions

Dodge Dakota Towing Questions

Re: towing Dodge Dakota [srs_49]

Written by: moel on Sep 21, 2009 08:43 AM

Yes the Dakota operator's manual advises to remove negative terminal on the Dakota while being towed; I have towed a 2003 Dakota with the battery connected with no problem. One needs the battery to ensure the lights are operational and that your "brake buddy" is powered. So trying to find out if any "damage" caused by leaving battery live. Read More...

Dodge Dakota Transmission Problems

2003 SXT Dakota Automatic Transmission shifting issue

Written by: john451 on Sep 13, 2009 05:48 PM

I have a 2003 SXT Automatic 3.9L dodge Dakota. It has 59,000 miles on it. When I drive it seems that the first gear seems to be staying in gear longer then it should. Then it shifts. This also happens in Passing gear. It also seems it has no get up and go. Don't know if these issues are related or not. Does any one have any ideas that might help. Could my problem be a sensor ... Read More...

Dodge Dakota Starting Problems

Re: 2003 dodge dakota [rosegring]

Written by: mnmguy on Jul 10, 2009 08:17 AM

My 03 Dakota is starting to the same thing. Was the fix for your dakota the trans selonoid? Informed that mine could be a variety of things, trying to narrow down if possible. :( Read More...

Dodge Dakota Fuel Pump/Fuel System Questions

help me find my fuel pump please

Written by: babydoll80 on Jun 14, 2009 04:51 PM

trying to locate the fuel pump on a dodge dakota 2003 Read More...

Dodge Dakota Starting Problems

2003 dodge dakota

Written by: rosegring on Mar 04, 2009 10:03 AM

My dakota doesnt always want to shift into gear. It sits like its in nuetral or sputters when beginning to drive. took to auto zone they said code was for small vacumm leak but everything was checked. he suggested it could be trans selonoid. Read More...

Dodge Dakota Transmission Problems

Re: 2001 Dodge Dakota 4.7L with the 545RFE transmission [rresa]

Written by: dustyk on Feb 18, 2009 05:28 PM

Battery issues will cause some pretty quirky problems in Dakotas, everything from losing the time on the clock or presets in the radio, random chimes, rough idle, and irratic transmission problems. The IOD fuse probably isn't labeled. It isn't on my 2003, either. It is a ten ampere fuse, usually, and on later Daks it's found in cavity 18. But check all of the fuses ... Read More...

Dodge Dakota Electrical Problems

Re: Interior lights stay on when engine is running [tladell]

Written by: dustyk on Dec 22, 2008 11:50 AM

According to the 2003 Dakota wiring diagram, the fuse for power to the Overhead Console is fuse #1 (cavity 1) in the Junction Block. There are two areas that contain fuses, circuit breakers, and relays in Dodge trucks. One is called the Power Distribution Center (PDC) and is located under the hood, usually next to or very near the battery. The second area is called ... Read More...

Dodge Dakota Climate Control

Re: No Blower Motor [LorneQue]

Written by: LorneQue on Dec 22, 2008 09:37 AM

Just thought I would ask the question where is the resistor located on the 2003 dodge dakota for the blower motor, aren't they usually located near the motor itself???............Lorne Read More...

Dodge Dakota 4x4 Problems

Re: front end problems [zaphodbblbrox]

Written by: dustyk on Nov 24, 2008 04:17 PM

I will never buy another Dodge product.... Complaints of poor quality rotors was a problem from 2000-2003. Of course you went 49,000 miles between your second and third replacement. Without knowing how you drive, that could be very resonable. But poor rotor longevity complaints are common on many trucks. The Nissan Titan is definitately the worse I've ever ... Read More...

Dodge Dakota rear-end noise

Re: rear end whining noise [mags3]

Written by: dustyk on Aug 28, 2008 04:47 PM

Punky differentials have been an issue on Dakotas for some time. I recently talked to my Dodge tech. who insists that the 9.25 axle is made by Dana. Could be, but I'm pretty sure the 8.25 axle is or at least was made by American Axle. In any event they are both Chrysler designs. The technician says that the number of premature problems are a lot less than they use to be. ... Read More...