HELP! Engine Light, 2000 Dakota V-6

[brodys_mom]

We just bought a used 2000 Dodge Dakota Sport V-6 Magnum. There was a problem with the ABS brake lights, but that was finally fixed (bad sensor). We just picked it up from having that fixed and now the engine light is on! Checked all fluid levels and everything is fine. How do we find out what is wrong without spending more money on this piece of crap?

Any advice would be appreciated!

[Stevo2]

Originally Posted by brodys_mom

We just bought a used 2000 Dodge Dakota Sport V-6 Magnum. There was a problem with the ABS brake lights, but that was finally fixed (bad sensor). We just picked it up from having that fixed and now the engine light is on! Checked all fluid levels and everything is fine. How do we find out what is wrong without spending more money on this piece of crap?

Any advice would be appreciated!

You need to have the computer scanned for error codes at a local auto parts store like Autozone. Then post the code/s here on the board.

[Craig59]

I had the same problem with my 99 Dakota. Today I took it to the shop and after scaning the computer, they said that the throttle plate was dirty. This caused the engine to idle at the wrong speed and when the computer sensed the wrong idle speed it turned on the check engine light. Once they cleaned the throttle plate the light went out.

Also, they charged $147 for this which seemed a little high to me. Does anyone know what a computer scan and plate cleaning should cost?

[rapturejws]

they good thing about any chrysler product is that the average person can check the codes on these cars

just pust your key in the ignition switch and turn it back and forth three times

then just watch the engine light and it will blink the codes for you
like for twelve it will blink blnk pause blnk blnk thats where you get your codes each set of numbers will have a pause each code is a two digit number so if you have the codes 23 and 15it will go as follows
blnk blnk pause blnk blnk blnk pause blnk pause blnk blnk blnk blnk blnk

you will need to purchase a repair manual like a haynes or chilton at autozone or any of the chain parts store that's near you

and also you can go to autozone if you have one and just ask them to code your car and they will do it free of charge and tell you what the problem is that is the cheap and affordable way to get your dodge diagnosis

[Craig59]

The check engine light on my 99 Dakota came back on over the weekend. So I took it back to the shop. This time they determined that the intake manifold gasket was bad. It cost $750 to replace. Apparently this is very common with Dakotas. Don't mean to scare you, but I hope you don't have this problem.

[Stevo2]

Originally Posted by Craig59

The check engine light on my 99 Dakota came back on over the weekend. So I took it back to the shop. This time they determined that the intake manifold gasket was bad. It cost $750 to replace. Apparently this is very common with Dakotas. Don't mean to scare you, but I hope you don't have this problem.

http://dodgeram.info/tsb/2000/09-05-00.htm