I'm betting it's the O2 sensors.
Mine did that same thing.
Try the Key on/off three times like on the DML FAQ page.
Sounds like your doing the cluster test for the dash.
--Hop
>From: "Joseph Orsini" <joeman@gbonline.com>
>Reply-To: dakota-truck@dakota-truck.net
>To: "Dodge Dakota" <dakota-truck@dakota-truck.net>
>Subject: DML: '99 Dakota running like ka-ka
>Date: Mon, 9 May 2005 15:36:56 -0500
>
>
>Hey Guys,
>
> Just joined the list and am having problems with my '99. 5.2, 5spd, reg
>cab, short box no A/C. Anyway it will not pull hard and absolutely will
>not
>rev good over 3k under load. First off that cat is shot and needs to be
>replaced, but I don't know if that could be causing these problems. I
>canot
>get it to spit trouble codes at me, I tried what was listed on the web site
>but all it does is say CHEC then lights up the trip display then makes what
>looks like a little ball rolling from right to left, never saying any
>codes.
>At first I thought it could be ignition related as it almost feels like it
>is not firing on a cyclinder or two, I replaced the plugs, wires, cap,
>rotor, and coil. no better. I can also hear a sucking sound over the
>rattling cat when I drive it, almost sounds like a blow off valve on a
>turbo
>or something when you up shift. After changing the ignition stuff I drove
>it and it felt the same except the one time I got on her hard in third she
>pulled sluggish then for about 500 RPM (maybe 300-3500) she kicked in and
>pulled like normal, but then back to sluggish, I could not get it to repeat
>that again. The old ignition parts were all less than a year old and all
>looked good, plugs loked like they were normal, will have to check them
>again but looked good. I have no idea what the truck is doing but now the
>check engine light flashes at me every once in a awhile and I don't know
>what to check next, spark seems good, maybe fuel delivery? I Should get
>the
>cat replaced next week along with the o2 sensor, maybe that will help...
>
> Any suggestions on an affordable cat? The local carquest was around $280,
>looked at summit but they did't have one listed for Dakota's with the 8.
>
>Thanks,
>
>-Joe
>
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Wed Jun 01 2005 - 05:44:45 EDT