Re: MAJOR Dakota electrical problems! PLEASE!!

From: TonyC (acellan1@tampabay.rr.com)
Date: Thu Jan 03 2002 - 07:51:15 EST


How old is the battery?? My 2k was acting a bit funny for a day, then
wouldn't start. The battery wasn't dead, just a little too weak to start
and keep the electronics over their required voltage. Worth the 2 minute
check. Don't trust the eye on the battery, do the specific gravity test or
a load test to verify.
TonyC

-----Original Message-----
From: William H. Hiatt III <e@e.com>
To: dakota-truck-moderator@bent.twistedbits.net
<dakota-truck-moderator@bent.twistedbits.net>
Date: Thursday, January 03, 2002 1:15 AM
Subject: DML: MAJOR Dakota electrical problems! PLEASE!!

>Well. I'm having the most bizarre electrical problems with the Dakota
>lately. Never had any problems electrically. 1 week ago, I took her for a
>spin, and the AC just quit. Then the power doorlocks quit. So I took her to
>the dealer and $90 they said the battery clamps that hook onto the battery
>terminals were stretched, it's my fault, etc. Fixed that one. Well, 3 days
>later, I was driving at night, and the lights on the AC/HEATER panel start
>to flicker a little. 5 minutes later, same symptoms. Lights on the
AC/HEATER
>panel aren't on with the headlights on, nor is the cigarette/power outlet
>working. Turn the headlights off, the AC/HEATER panel lights turn on, and
so
>do the power outlet and cigarette lighter. Opening the doors doesn't
trigger
>the courtesy lights. Unlocking the doors via the keyless entry doesn't do a
>thing, locking the doors just honks the horn. You can hear the CTM click
>when you trigger an unlock/lock from the driver/passenger door switch. So I
>took the dash apart, all wires seemed to be fine, sanded and checked ground
>connections, etc.
>
>Tonight, I went to start her up. Nothing. Turned the key all the way.
>Nothing, it wasn't even attempting to crank. You heard the little fuel pump
>or whatever go on though, and that's it. I finally got her to start after
>the 10th time, and she barely started. Nothing appeared to be on to drain
>the battery.
>
>I'm guessing this is all related... I just need your help as to finding the
>problem! I don't want to deal with the bullshit at the dealer anymore, I'm
>sick of all of them, every dealer I go to hassles me about my
modifications,
>from Hotchkis to my stereo (Which has been in for over a year..... no
>problems)
>
>Thanks!
>william
>
>
>



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