92 Dakota won't go over 75mph

[Cobra427]

Well I just got this pickup. It seems to run great even though most of the warning lights are on. We looked everything over and can't figure out why they are on though. Except the Parking brake one as the cable broke.


Its a 92 Dakota 4x4 5.2Mag. It runs and drives great but won't go over 75mph. I'm not gonna bother explaining as I have a video lol. And yes I know in the video the truck is in 2nd gear.... The indicator is not lined up so 2nd = drive N = Reverse and so on.

[Cgroh89]

I would think that it is a shifter cable issue. Will the truck go into OD can you feel or see the tourqe convertor lock up?

[jdmccright]

Not to point out the obvious, but I'd clear the warning lights first. Even though the truck is pre-OBDII, there were some engine and emissions management controls...OBDI. If the PCM is detecting a fault or problem, then it could "depower" or run in an "open loop" or "limp" mode...granted, 75 mph isn't limping. There is usually a diagnostic port in the engine bay where you can retrieve trouble codes by shorting two terminals...check a repair manual for the correct ones or search in this forum. Not all detected faults or problems will illuminate the "check engine" light, but will be stored in the PCM.

I do notice the truck double-downshift to near redline, climb slightly, then it appears the truck (or cameraman, or both) seem to buck or lurch as if it is hitting some sort of limiter. Then you let off the gas and it upshifts back into 3rd then OD. Can you get past 75 by accelerating in OD or does it buck/lose power at that limit as well?

[Cgroh89]

The way that tach Is bouncing Im sure it wants to. I would invest in a Good Scanner and start reading up about codes. Did you have any work done to the truck when the issue started / the shifter cable?

[angus10]

Tranny could be slipping or it's in second gear and the rev limiter is doing it's job.

[shinta]

i know down here in sc you could take it to a shop and they will clear every things for about 30 bucks. i would start with the code issue frist

[Cobra427]

I actually just got the truck maybe 2 weeks ago now. Only put a stock cat back exhaust on it sofar.



As for the jerk/shake at the rev limit that was the truck jerking back and forth I had the camera resting on the wheel.



Hmm My dads friend could probably hook up the the truck with his scanner but the trick is getting my dad convinced ... Hes down right determined its the fuel pump/filter for some reason but it just seems odd to me it only does it at 75mph and if the pump/filter was bad it would choke at any speed with high rpm.

And no I can't get it past 75mph nomatter what I try. It did do it once at around 35mph or so but it seemed to correct itself and shifted.



I know I don't really need to even go 75mph but I would rather have everything working right.

[radrodder04]

I have a 94 dakota 3.9 litre, engine started running rough then spitting and backfiring. I know this is not the same problem BUT I learned a lesson that may help you. Your truck is an obd1, therefore you can check the codes without a scanner. turn the switch on then off then on then off then on. count the times the check engine light flashes then it will pause then flash some more, it may go thru several series of codes example 5 flashes pause then 2 flashes means your o2 sensor is stuck in rich mode the code is 52. 3 flashes a pause then 4 flashes or 34 code is the map sensor. You can find the list of codes in the chilton book. Or read them, put them on the forum and myself or someone else will tell you what the codes are. PS first code will be a 12 which just means your starting and at the end will be a 55 code which means the end. Don't know if this will help you but it sure did in my instance. lol