Re: New Dakota Owner - My Problems and Questions??

From: Jayson Woodruff (woodrufj@uci.edu)
Date: Thu Feb 08 2001 - 22:46:54 EST


I'm no expert mechanic but check my replies in the message. Are you 2wd or 4wd?

Jay W

paul korz wrote:

> Fellow Dakota Owners:
>
> I bought a 2000 Dakota CC Sport, 4.7L, Auto, LSD, Heavy Duty Group, etc.
> I've got 6,200 miles on it and have experienced a few problems so far:
> 1. Needed an alignment Day One

Almost all vechicals don't come well done from the factory these days,
manufactures are in too much of a hurry. Get the dealer to do it for free.

>
> 2. Camshaft Position Sensor (after engine light came on)

Never hear of one of these just spontaniouly happening, my guess is someone
(probably dealer) tinkered with it

>
> 3. Leaf spring isolators

Is this the squeeking thing?, I just replaced them with hotchkis. </Joke>

>
> 4. Poor spot weld on frame/bed
> 5. Front end pops Day One when making a slow turn in lot

Cab bolts?

>
>
> MPG Best = 18 MPG Worst = 12.5

4wd or heavy foot?

>
>
> Sound familiar?
>
> Questions -
>
> 1. When shifting from 2nd to 3rd (multispeed auto) the transmission
> hesitates or stutters briefly. Has anyone else experience this and what's
> the solution?
>
> 2. Engine ticking noise. It is intermittent. It's noted on the TSBs.
> Has anyone else experience this and what's the solution?
>
> 3. What's the REAL deal on the tempurature issue? Mine approaches 200-205
> degrees or so often in city traffic after idling. Will an aftermarket
> thermostat void the warranty or is there a DC 180 degree thermostat the
> dealer can install without voiding the warranty.

In my experence the 180 T'stat keeps highway temp at 180, city driving the temp
still goes up to 205-210, where the electric fan comes on. There's 1000
explosions per minuite under there you know!

>
>
> Thanks in Advance for taking the time to respond. I'm sure I'll have more
> questions, I can only think of a few now.
>
> Paul
>



This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Fri Jun 20 2003 - 11:59:11 EDT