Engine Pinging after backfire

Yesterday I was driving my V6 / 3.9L Dakota. I drove about 60mph, when I had a backfire. The engine lost power, was pinging when trying to maintain speed. Check engine lite was flashing. I stopped the car and shut it down. Then started up again. Lite went out, but now it keeps shifting in and out of the overdrive when I try to reach a speed over 50mph.

My question ofcourse: does anybody know whats wrong ???

Something is very wrong and needs attention. I'd put money on a clogged or clogging catalytic converter.

Do you know how to check codes? Even though the light went out, you might still be able to get some codes.

I agree with you that something must be very wrong....! I just had the catalic coverter replaced, it's not a OEM, but just a replacement ( metal Cat). Can that be part of the problem. I dont know how to check the codes, e.i. I don't have reading equipment.....

Not necessarily. If the first cat got destroyed, it was caused by something that was wrong with the motor. If the problem is not addressed, the replacement cat will suffer the same fate as the first one.

If something is wrong enough to make the cats go bad like that, you probably can't fix it yourself anyway so you might as well take it in. When my cat went on my truck, I couldn't fix it myself, not with my equipment, anyway.

I think the previous (canadian) owner might have had similar problems indeed. The whole inside of the cat was removed when I got it. Thats why I had it replaced. Today I made an appointment at the dealer to take it in this friday. I'll put it up here what they find out !!

Sounds good.

Yeah up here in Canada we don't have to meet regulations like in the States. Many guys run catless exhaust here. The previous owner probably had it clog up on him and he just took the guts out, I don't blame him.