Dodge Dakota electrical problems/solutions

Stalling, no start, temp above normal, cluster, fan, fuel pump, wire harness, coil, spark controller, open short intermittent.

[@joselomeli2133]

I have a 1995 Dakota with 245000 miles runs great use no oil had it for over 15 years best thing is buy a pinning kit and redo all the pins in every connector pins get moisture and rusty make sure to use electrical grease after you reconnect ...good luck

[@MAKAROVOWNER]

First suggestion of this type! Awesome! Perhaps it can help someone. I sold the truck about a year ago. Thank you for the suggestion.

[@SpikeLawson-e9p]

Thank you so much and fix my truck where I unplugged the Mel connection to the female. It was corroded underneath of the heat shrink fix my problem.

[@MAKAROVOWNER]

Good deal! So for me and others please tell us what plug? Where located? And what was happening with your truck? What was not functioning? Glad to be of service sharing with others.

[@manatra4]

Went through the same problem changed filters fuel pump distributor and in the end it was the crank position sensor no more problems

[@MAKAROVOWNER]

Glad you found it. I had a rub on the wire harness arching to ground on alternator wires. You could not see it and the wires were not touching anything.. Fan grounding internally. Other electrical problems kept coming. Sold the truck disclosing all known problems.

[@therealblakekirkham5701]

There is a splice of blue wires in the harness in the driver's front fender check those

[@charlesfields7908]

I know I'm late and you probably scrapped the truck but I have 93 dakota original with 2.5. With 320k miles on it, I had a shut down issue as well. Turned out 1st was the coil pigtail, 2nd on the passenger side behind the head against the fire wall, a hole had rubbed through the loom and one of the wires that fed the coil and caused it to short against the cab causing intermittent shutdown.

[@MAKAROVOWNER]

Nope. All good. Your comments might very well help another person who is having trouble. I found lots of problems in the 1995. One of the main problems was a wire jumping to ground as you described but going to the alternator. Also a problem in the main harness by the fuse box under the hood. Ignition under the distributor cap. Internal electric radiator fan short. On my son's 1994 a few months ago we found another problem with transmission wires near the driveline. In forward a rub spigot killed the truck. In reverse no problem. Did not look to even be close to touching, but it rubbed through and grounded k8lling the truck. Thank you!

[@MAKAROVOWNER]

I sold the truck and disclosed the history to the buyer. He was happy to have it at a fair price.

[@charlesfields7908]

@@MAKAROVOWNER I been dealing in these 1st Gen dakotas for 20 years and the 93 I spoke of I've had since I was 16, 32 now. If you get anymore and have troubles holler at me I'll be happy to share any knowledge. The electrical in the fuse box I've run into as well and there's a couple hidden splice just north of the fuse box that's known for corroding from age. A red splice and a blue one. Biggest mystery killer on all engines in these trucks.

[@charlesfields7908]

@@MAKAROVOWNER if I lived near you I would've jumped all over it and fixed in the yard before pulling out after purchase 🤣

[@MAKAROVOWNER]

@charlesfields7908 I believe it had 125k mililes on it about? 4 cylinder 5 speed. Was running driving well when I sold it. For some reason it had the blower fan stop about that time. Nightmare electrical problems. I mostly drive ford' . And those problems I never have. Get in drive and yes maintain.

[@uncletoy774]

wow ok so i have had 3 dakotas 95, 99, 04. The 04 is gone long time ago it had transmission issues getting stuck in 2nd all the time. the 99 is an R/T no issues the piston rings went bad and am rebuilding it. but this 95 that is my bosses man its a POS. its similar to what your dealing with. it got this totally random sputtering, bucking and skipping issue as well as it just dies. now it seems that if i go and wiggle the wires and hoses right next to the distributor bamm it up and running again. like yours the fuel gauge doesn't work. also out of nowhere the wipper motor stop working then not too much longer after that the blower motor died as well. i've replaced the coil, spark plugs, plug wires, map sensor, temp sensor, crankshaft sensor, throttle position sensor and that disk in the distributor and none of it has worked. actually i think its worse. thanks for the video given me new directions to go. but that being said to much more of this and im pushing it of a cliff. if you could plz let me know what uve learn since the video

[@MAKAROVOWNER]

There was a wire that runs toward the alternator. It seemed not to touch anything. A very small flat rub spot that is easily unseen let current arch from the wire to a mount or ground randomly killing the engine. I wrapped that in electrical tape. By the fuse box under the hood there is flex black wire covers inside which are hidden splices. I eliminated and bypassed all of them suspecting corrosion possible. After that the truck ran fine. The odometer stopped. I replaced the fuel pump. The fuel gauge did not work. The heater fan stopped and no power was making it through the harness to the fan. We decided to move to mississippi and the wife said I could not take that truck. I sold it unlisted for a fair price.. I suggest get rid of the headache and stay away from mopar b's wiring.

[@uncletoy774]

@@MAKAROVOWNER lol i like how the wife said you can't take that truck. let me guess the truck took some of her "me time" had a ex = girlfriend do that to me but i got rid of her instead (she was the bigger headache)

[@MAKAROVOWNER]

@@uncletoy774 more like the pencil. To much time money effort and never ending problems with that truck. Why move a problem vehicle 2600 miles? I can admit when she is right. She was right. And God provided a buyer unexpectedly with cash in hand so....to me I could lighten the load as the tea leaves aligned. No more dodge....ever. Crap electrical.

[@kyledelory2721]

Where are you located at? If anywhere in the Phoenix area there is an auto electric shop that is absolutely phenomenal with finding issues with any vehicle nasa auto electric they are on 62nd Ave and Glendale and honestly when I have an electrical issue with my vehicles I take it to them because it's cheaper than me spending days or months or even years searching for the problem

[@MAKAROVOWNER]

I got the main problems sorted out. Then some one wanted to buy the truck. I disclosed its known problems and history. He paid cash. No more dodge issues. I am sticking with Ford.

[@datarkboy8709]

I got a Dodge Dakota Sport. It was running good but i noticed to voltage meter was always going all the way down? Got a new battery and alternator test voltage was good? Alternator passed! I assume it was something wrong with my gauge. Keep riding good but one day on my way to work i warmed up my car. When i came out to drive ro work , I noticed my radio had cut completely off by itself! I told my wife im probably not driving this to work today! Went to crank it up clicks clicks and it sounds like something is tryna to kick on but it doesn't! I have no idea.🤦🤔 SMH 🤷

[@MAKAROVOWNER]

Could be many things. One thing I would do is consider there may be more than one thing going on. What I would do is get a volt meter and test the battery. Do that first. It should test above dc 12volts. Below that charge and or replace the battery. Cold weather you find this alot. Pull the battery cables clean the terminals and clamps. Inspect the clamps and cables for corrosion, cracks, discoloration. Replace as needed. Inspect the ground cable on the alternator! Known failure. They jump spark and the truck will die. It does not have to look bad to be a problem. May not be a bad idea to replace that, wrap in flex conduit or electrical tape. Start with those. If the alternator is noisy replace it.

[@rickyharris5797]

I have a 92 that died all the time a d I put all kinds of different things into it. Then a mechanic checked and got it to die and told me it was the computer so I replaced it and have had no problems since

[@MAKAROVOWNER]

I dumped the dodge. Sticking with Ford. Never ever had such problems with a Ford.

[@WayneYoung-fx4vn]

I got a ticking in my radio dash area and it's running my battery done to total dead sounds like a clock ticking.and the radio stopped working.gotta pull the dash out socks. Any Ideas what it could be anyone ?

[@MAKAROVOWNER]

Radio antenna? Radios can be known to drain a battery. Start there I think, pull the radio and see if the problem stops perhaps. Love to have you let us know what you find please.

[@cindydufala7646]

Did you fix it? It's a year later. I have an 89 Dodge Dakota (88 mfg date) drivin me nuts stalls i thought bad gas. Got new distributor some spring and a shift thingy. 3 weeks later same issue. Aargh. Guess I'll find out next appt wirh mechanic Dec 10th 2022.

[@MAKAROVOWNER]

Yes.i made it drivable. However dodge gremlins started killing other electrical things. I was going to move and wife said it had to go. Sold it. So. Perhaps I can save you some time and money, maybe. Look at the alternator. There are wires running to it. On mine those wires had the smallest rub spot you could feel but very hard to see. The wires were touching nothing to rub. Yet it would arch to ground and kill the truck. That was the clincher. Another guy I told found the exact same thing. I like you changed the distributor. Didn't matter. Another problem was the electric fan internally grounding. Would kill the truck. There are wire joints that are wrapped below the fuse box under the hood. You have to unwrap the wires to see the joints. I eliminated the joints they were suspect. But I tell you look to that alternator wire it's simple and stopped that distributor fail. Perhaps just pull those wires. Electrical tape them completely to keep them from jumping to ground. Then put them back in place. If you can't find it I would suggest selling it and find a dependable ride. Dodge electric sucks.i went through 3 mechanics. They never solved the problem just swapped distributor parts. One had the audacity to call himself a automotive electrician. He was so bad I reported him to the dept of justice. Then he in response wanted to repair the truck but I no longer wanted him to touch it. Alternator wires and tape my friend. Strongly suggest you do that. May just do it like it did for two of us already.

[@michaelmask7296]

Sounds like loose fuel pump connection or fuel pump going out.

[@MAKAROVOWNER]

We did have a bad pump, twice. End of the day wire harness failures.

[@CHEAPROLLIN]

Is that front wheel drive

[@CHEAPROLLIN]

@@MAKAROVOWNER wow super cool

[@MAKAROVOWNER]

@CHEAPROLLIN wait. Error on my part. Rear wheel drive.

[@mosesstrange9753]

Thank you

[@thedogemachine130]

Try the crank position sensor, if it doesn’t start try putting it in gear and rolling it then try and start it. That what works for me lol.

[@MAKAROVOWNER]

It's repaired. Never found a crank position sensor. Problems solved were wire connection at bottom of coil, electric fan internal short, wire harness rub short near alternator, hidden splices in wire harness on main cables (eliminated splices and rerouted the cables), bad fuel pump (other one was new). Been performing perfectly a couple months now. However cluster gauges are still inaccurate, blower motor stopped working ( problem between fuse, switch, and blower). Tested old blower after removal and replacement. Old motor is fine. So bad switch or short on the circuit. Screw it. Going to bypass the wire harness and run direct with a new toggle switch.

[@stevenpaul3808]

Chrysler/Dodge vehicles are notorious for poor design & worse assembly. Over the years, I’ve had a couple of vans & one truck. Don’t plan on having any more.

[@henrylawrence4600]

Ecm is bad. Pain in the ASS!

[@geraldlottinville1430]

had same problem its that ring deAL UNDERthe distributre

[@MAKAROVOWNER]

Yes. How ever a short in the wire harness was causing that to fail.

[@MAKAROVOWNER]

Under the distributor is where 3 mechanics failed and did not look deeper. Root cause wire harness failures.

[@jaredcongleton6683]

Cam shaft position sensor

[@trentondaniels2667]

What year are you working on? I have the 2006 Dakota

[@MAKAROVOWNER]

1995. I had the running issue repaired. Other issues unresolved, fuel gauge, odometer, heater fan. Repair one problem in electrical and others popped up. At least I got it dependable running. Sold it disclosing the history and existing issues for a fair agreed price. Never again am I getting dodge, jeep, chrysler, mopar, eagle, of any type. Electrical from he'll. No thank you.

[@fidelamorelos7825]

Where is fuze for the dash lights

[@MAKAROVOWNER]

No longer have that truck. Fuse boxes both under hood drivers side and under dash drivers side. Most of the fuses are in the box under the dash. That's all I can tell you at this point.

[@yukmouth1324]

I seem to have a electrical issue crank but no start what do you recommend i have already checked starter battery dist etc

[@MAKAROVOWNER]

First thing I do is pull the air cleaner tube connecting to the filter. Spray starter fluid into the carb or throttle body. Then immediately try starting. Start yes? Fuel supply problem. Filter or pump. No start? Potential spark problem. Check spark. No spark? Coil sparking? Signal to Coil? Start with those simple things. So think spark or fuel. The one you do not have is the problem. Let me know if this helps you.

[@yukmouth1324]

I had a fuel leak on one end where the fuel rails connect I replaced the hose i smell gas but there seems to be no spark i have msd ignition coil it is brand new I believe it may be the wires but I have 0 experience in electrical

[@MAKAROVOWNER]

@@yukmouth1324 ok. So get a spark plug and lay it along a metal part. Get someone to crank the engine and look for spark. Spark yes or no? No? Need to test for electrical signal on small wire to coil? Signal? Yes? Good. No? Cam sensor or distributor component. Have you tested with starting fluid as I suggested? No? Do that first. Start there exactly. Until you do there is no point digging further. Rule out fuel by that step.

[@yukmouth1324]

@@MAKAROVOWNER I did the spark test like you said and there was no spark at all, I don't know why or what to do next it's a 318 magnum 5.2L

[@MAKAROVOWNER]

@@yukmouth1324 ok. So not being familiar with your exact truck I will talk in general terms. Rule out a bad plug, harbor freight spark tester helps. No spark? Coil wire? Low light it's possible sometimes to see spark jump to ground. Will not run or be inconsistent. Test the small wire that comes and connects to the coil with a meter. You should get a reading. If no reading you will get no spark. That is where the pulse comes in as the engine rotates. If the wire is damaged or the cam sensor is bad no spark is possible. Instead of a cam sensor my 2.8 had a distributor part controlling the spark. For 50 dollars you can buy a decent meter or even down under twenty a cheap one to do testing. Without a meter you are just guessing. It may be time to take it to a shop, but you can pay them a bunch and possibly still have problems. Let's go at this another direction. In general spark starts at cam sensor, wire takes it to coil, coil wire takes it to distributor, distributor sends it to plugs. You could start at the source testing spark cam sensor, , or coil and work back to the source. Both work with a meter, and a spark tester.

[@SteveBrock-c7c]

Do you anyone with an 3.9ltr engine for sale?😊

[@justinwiggins2785]

My dakota just shut off while i was driving

[@MAKAROVOWNER]

Alternator can go bad while you drive and shut down when battery gets drained. Does it crank over? If yes check fuel? Spray starting fluid. Start? If no likely spark. Just have to narrow things down.

[@jaquitasiler1736]

You have a Bad Brain My 99Dodhe Did Crazy Electric ⚡ Issues.I found one in a salvage.holdYour milage Button in until your Mileage computer 💻 Starts restarting then wait.untill it finished.

[@MAKAROVOWNER]

My odometer was not digital nor any gauges. I sold the truck. Wire shorts kept coming up. Fix one and get another. I disclosed everything and the guy paid cash happy to get the truck.

[@SaltyRooster209]

I replaced every sensor, the plugs, wires, fuel pump and basically all the parts and guess what it was the computer

[@MAKAROVOWNER]

I sold it. No more dodge products for me.

[@Aplushandymanservice]

These Dakotas have horrible wire harness and electrical designs. I have two both have 318 one is 4x4 with bucket seats other is a sport.. I’m bout to gut the 4x4 and redo harness and the gauges and dash

[@MAKAROVOWNER]

A guy bought mine. Sticking with ford. Never had so many electric issues with one vehicle. No more mopar.

[@gulfcoastpinebelt8600]

I'm convinced satan manifests himself through the wiring of my Dakota..I have pcm/ecm errors all the time loosing communication and MPH/RPM gauge going haywire and constant check engine light on. I'm gonna replace the fuses for the pcm and start there if not im calling a priest.

[@MAKAROVOWNER]

On mine I had a short near the alternator a very small flat rub spot. It was not touching anything. Yet it was jumping spark from the harness. Look there very close and feel the wires for a flat spot. Also the wire coming sway from the breaker box under the hood have hidden factory splices. Those I eliminated. That cleared up the problem of it dieting. However the odometer later stopped, the fuel gauge was dead, the heater fan quit and lost power. None of those things happened at once. Oh the oil pressure gauge showed nothing but I wired in another pressure gauge that worked. Dodge Dakota wiring seems to suck. Sold the truck and disclosed the problems I had and worked through. Still got 800 for it.

[@classicv8dude268]

92 dakota 3.9 v6. Next day after buying it the trans blew up. Didn’t drive it hard. Just a pos trans. I never see fords with this kind of electrical issues. Never. All dodge and Chevy always and forever will have electrical issues no matter the year model. Never ford. Never. Never.

[@MAKAROVOWNER]

I agree. Ford has good electric at least mid 90s and back. Dodge electric sucks.

[@stanengland6265]

Bullshit ford always has electrical issues starters grounds coils

[@stanengland6265]

Sell your truck to somebody who deserves and go get yourself a piece of s*** Ford

[@MAKAROVOWNER]

I sold the piece of crap failing electrical nightmare dodge. My ford's run day in day out dependable. Your right I don't deserve a piece of crap undependable electrical gremlin nightmare but a vehicle that's designed to work properly and dependable. Garbage dodge. But hey, it ran when I sold it and he drove it away with all problems and history disclosed. By the way, my videos and input have helped others get thier dead dodges back on the road again gratefully.