1999 Dodge Dakota: Replacing the heater core. Part 1: Dash removal

In this video, I start the process for replacing a leaky heater core on a 1999 Dodge Dakota. It is a rather involved (but not terribly difficult) process, so I will be breaking the video up into several parts. This part covers dashboard removal.
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[@michaelcrawford-gx5kw]

you have no idea how much easier this video series made my life. i thank you so much for taking the time to do this. this turned a nightmare job of doing my brothers 99 Dakota RT heater core into, well, less of a nightmare. wish i could shake your hand.

[@AKJeeper]

Thank you so much! I’m glad you found value in the videos. I originally wasn’t going to film the job because these trucks have become rare in my area, but then changed my mind after I saw that there weren’t really any videos on YT covering this generation of Dakota. These trucks have a fairly strong following, so I figured what the heck, someone somewhere might find the videos useful. Thanks again!

[@JohnDoe-le8fy]

@@AKJeeper And a growing love of these and the Durango's for restoration / overlanding. Should be a great video for the future and by far the best, most detailed breakdown of this for sure, what an unbelievable amount of work required just to access a heater core ect. Thank you!

[@jeffbascom664]

Awesome video. I’m going to tackle this job this weekend and I’m following your video for all of it. Thank you

[@sharihooks1451]

Excellent videos. I was search has my husband and I have a 1999 Dodge Dakota needing to change ours out. He wanted a video to assist him. Yours came up and I think even I could help in the process. Thank you for making an informed video.

[@killer1963daddy]

Just completed the job It tscked, but I couldn't have done without. This vid 😊Thank you for posting

[@AKJeeper]

@@killer1963daddy I’m glad the videos were helpful to you!

[@AShrubAbove]

Dude thank you. Been researching for days trying to figure out the Hvac vacuum Layout. Just seeing the actuators with the lines attached is all i needed!!!

[@AKJeeper]

@@AShrubAbove I’m glad you found the video useful, even if it was just to see the lines attached to the actuators 😁 Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment! Much appreciated!

[@MegaKencam]

Thanks for this! I just got done with the job. It took awhile but your videos made it easy.

[@gregbishop77]

I about to tackle mine before it gets to cold. It's a 99 4x2. I appreciate you making these videos!!!!

[@barrykistler3481]

Hell of a job.Lots of work.Thanks and good luck putting it back together.

[@AKJeeper]

It went back together a lot easier than it came off. Still working on editing the other 2 parts of the video. Thanks for leaving a comment!

[@celinacasique9133]

@@AKJeeper Where can I find you? I have a similar truck from the same year and with the same problem and nobody wants to do this job for me.

[@MobileTaz]

One word of advice for anyone undertaking this behemoth task.... REPLACE BOTH CORES. Even if the other one hasn't failed, replace it anyway - because you know full well it'll start leaking a month after you get it all back together.. You dont want to be doing this again. Neither core is that expensive when compared to the sheer hours of work this takes. I'm about to do it because my heater core popped in November, and I rathered suffer the entire winter without heat because I dread actually having to do it - so I will spend an extra $100 on an evaporator to make sure I don't ever have to do it again. 😂

[@AKJeeper]

Great advice! I gave the customer the option, but the evaporator replacement was declined. That said, I haven’t seen too many failed evaporators on these trucks.

[@Trials-and-Tribulations]

Mines 2002 3.9v6 4wd. Engine is the same My dashboard controls are different setup under radio plus mine has 4wd controls. Would this be the same removal process? I have a Haynes shows nothing of 4x4 dashboard controls like mine. Photos only show 2wd dashboard.

[@AKJeeper]

@@Trials-and-Tribulations The 2001-2004 Dakotas are very similar as far as dash removal and HVAC box removal is concerned. Since yours does not have the 4x4 lever on the floor, I would say the dash removal will be slightly easier than the 1999 5.2 4x4 in this video. Unfortunately I didn’t have time to film the 2004 Dakotas I did a while back. Would have loved to be able to show the differences.

[@markschoolcraft9544]

If I'm taking steering colum out, shouldn't you say to tape steering wheel to shifter first? How do I make sure wire is not twisted or not ?

[@AKJeeper]

I guess I may have forgotten to mention it. Yes, prior to removing the steering column, you should center the wheels then lock the column in position prior to removal. A lot of these trucks don’t have steering locks, so I’ll tape the wheel to the shifter to prevent the steering wheel from turning.

[@TheRichardOlson]

Good video!

[@bencook8109]

If Im seeing this correctly, there is basically wide open space under the dash right before those screws that hold the dash in place up by the windshield. In your opinion since you have seen it removed up close, would there be any reason why I couldnt install a 3" diameter midrange speaker in that upper dash are? The speakers are about 2" deep as well. Thank you and great video btw!

[@FergusLandscaping]

I have a 2000 Dodge Dakota V6. I was wondering if it is possible to remove the evaporator core from the glove compartment area at all. I only have to replace the evaporator core and I don't want to embark on This Disaster of a process so I was hoping there may be some remote way to access the evaporator core remove it and replace it with the new one without removing the dash but just by cutting away some of the black plastic. I've already cut away some of the black plastic that houses the evaporator core. I'm willing to cut the hinge that the glove compartment rotates on and anything else. Is it possible for me to remove the airbag cuz that would be a big help getting it out of my way

[@raleigh5here182]

good on you for making excellent videos for this procedure. But I doubt there is any way somebody going through this for the 1st time is ever going to get things back together without a few rattles and shakes remaining. And most owners will never be doing this more than 1 time. So I am just going to live without AC for as long as I own my '98 Durango.

[@jeffbascom664]

Ok I got the heater core replaced but after I hot it all back together I have an orange and while plugs left. The car cranks but doesn’t start. Where do these plugs plug in? Thx for the video.

[@AKJeeper]

@@jeffbascom664 sounds almost like the plugs that go behind the fuse box on the drivers side of the dashboard. 26:16 of the video

[@jeffbascom664]

@@AKJeeperthanks for the response. They are not the plugs that go behind the fuse box. All those are plugged in. Also, my right blinker is on but the multifunction switch is not turned to the right.

[@AKJeeper]

@@jeffbascom664 where are these plugs located? Can you describe them (how many pins, shape of the connector, etc). As for the turn signal being on - Some weird things can happen when the ground wires at the bottom corners of the dashboard aren’t connected or have poor connections.

[@freebird8886]

Are they any videos on a 2 wheel drive truck 98 dodge Dakota 5.2 engine

[@AKJeeper]

Exact same process except you don’t have to worry about the 4x4 shifter on the floor getting in the way.

[@celinacasique9133]

Where can I find you? I have a similar truck from the same year and with the same problem and nobody wants to do this job for me.

[@831CROW]

Is all that worth it or is it betterto just connectheater core hose together n by pass it

[@AKJeeper]

@@831CROW I spend part of my year in Alaska. Heaters are absolutely necessary except maybe in July and August 😂

[@frnklin1915]

If I disconnect he 2 terminals form the battery and disconnect the airbag wiring and modules would I have a problem ??

[@MobileTaz]

Airbags use a squib (electric match) to set off the explosive charge. They can be sensitive to static, so you just have to be aware of what you're doing. These trucks are old enough that they don't have "smart" airbags so the circuitry is relatively primitive. A good enough whack to the airbag control module while it has power could be enough to set them off (and these older systems just fire ALL the airbags since there are no seat occupancy sensors). Standard safety practice is to disconnect the battery (just the negative) and wait at least 5 minutes for the airbag module's backup power capacitors to drain. Make sure you ground yourself by touching metal before you disconnect or plug in anything with a yellow connector. Also be aware that these trucks DO have explosive seatbelt pretensioners built into the retractor toward the bottom of the B pillar. Thats not something you'll come across on this job but just be aware if you ever need to replace a seatbelt or remove the trim panel you will have to take airbag precautions for that. They do have yellow connectors as well.

[@brockreynolds870]

All this hassle is so ridiculous, and for a heater core that goes bad before the truck hits 150,000 miles most times. My brother has a 1970 GTO, and the heater core is STILL fine, and has never had an issue.

[@AKJeeper]

@@brockreynolds870 they don’t make things like they used to, that’s for sure. That said, the ‘99 Dakota I owned from new went to the junkyard with its original heater core intact (330k miles). I kept up on coolant flushes, and I think that’s why I never had issues with mine. There’s certainly much harder heater core jobs out there, these trucks really aren’t bad after you’ve done a couple.

[@themotorpool]

I had my core replaced on my 2000 and now my cruise control doesn’t work. Unfortunately, I can’t take it back to the shop, since it was done 1000 miles away, while on vacation. Any ideas?

[@AKJeeper]

Check the steering column connections. Check the brake pedal switch. Check the vacuum line at the cruise control servo in the engine compartment - make sure it is plugged in.

[@themotorpool]

@@AKJeeperI just saw part 2. Thanks! I’ll start at the servo, first.

[@deanlewis3389]

Nice vid, my son's truck may need this done as he has no heat at all but he did say he didn't see any leaks inside. Could it just need a new thermostat replaced or is it something else?

[@AKJeeper]

What temp is the engine running at? It should be running around the 195-210° mark. Can you feel the hoses going into the firewall (to the heater core) and see if they feel hot? One hose should feel hotter than the other.

[@deanlewis3389]

@@AKJeeper He said it was normal, it just blows out cold air instead of heat and says it fogs up his windshield after some time. We will check the hose next. Thanks!

[@MobileTaz]

@@deanlewis3389 I'd almost guarantee it's the temp diverter door inside the airbox. Depending on the year its either cable operated like this one (up to 00), or motor driven (01+). If the problem isnt right at the dash control (either the cable slipped off the knob or the knob control is bad), then you're looking at the same chore getting at the airbox. Whether you have to actually open the box depends on what is broken. If it's just the cable pull or motor, then it can be fixed with the box in place. If the door flap itself broke off the hinge, then it has to come out.

[@deanlewis3389]

@@MobileTaz Awesome, I'll let him know to check those things. Thanks for the reply!

[@jeffbascom664]

I tried to replace the thermostat and still didn’t fix it. I tried to back flush the heater core and only got a small trickle of water so I’ll be changing the heater core. If you got around 150000 miles it’s probably a clogged heater core.

[@yugare474]

Oh my god.

[@joemoncadajr8508]

Heater don't open doors

[@Blake-q4c]

I feel like your doing way to much.

[@AKJeeper]

This is pretty much the method outlined in Chrysler factory service procedures. Sure, there's ways to do this without removing the entire dashboard, but removing it makes it so much easier to see what you're doing. I wish more vehicles were designed in such a way that heater core removal could be accomplished without having to remove too much stuff (Volvo P80 chassis vehicles, 83-94 Ford Rangers, etc).

[@JoseGonzalez-hc1up]

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