Hi all, i'm having troubles with my dakota...it's a 94 sport, 3.9 automatic 2 wheel drive.

so, when i start the truck, it shimmies n shakes, if you give it gas while still in park, it has a high pitched whine that accelerates and goes down with the engine....can't figure it out....when you drive, it seems to be sluggish, like somethings holding it back, tranny seems to shift when it suppose to but hits hard and winds out a little when goin into 3rd....tranny fluide is full and doesn't look or smell burnt. we recently put on new brakes, rotors (on front), and rims with wider tires off a durango...but do not have a lift on it yet, so the tires rub a little, but they don't seem to be the problem as this is going on when the truck is in park and you give it gas.....

any suggestions on what to try or what it could be? thanks in advance

 

Sounds to me like the fuel pump is in it's last few starts of life.

 

a noise like that comin from under the truck? not sure i mentioned where it was comin from...i've had fuel pumps go out before...never made that sound when ya give it gas....

 

I've had a few make noise, especially if you give it gas because you're making it work harder.


I would recommend getting some help, have one person stick their head in the engine bay and one by the gas tank and see if the area can be pinpointed.

 

did that...it's sounds like it's comin from underneith the cab area....

 

Could be a bad torque converter.

 

is there a way to test that?

 

I'm not sure off hand.But a bad one can whine and it would wind down with the motor. It would also give you issues in shifting. Also calls sluggish movement.


You could try this...

To test the torque converter, you need to perform a "stall test." A stall test will reveal the maximum engine rpm that converter can handle with the brakes applied. Before doing the test, make sure the engine and transmission are both at normal operating temperature (drive the vehicle, if necessary, to warm things up), and that the fluid level inside the transmission is between "full" and "add" on the dipstick. Look up the stall speed specifications for the vehicle being tested, then connect a tachometer or scan tool to the vehicle to monitor engine speed.

To perform a stall test:
1. Block the wheels. Do not allow anyone to stand in front of or behind the vehicle.
2. Start the engine and place the transmission in Drive.
3. While pressing firmly on the brake pedal with your left foot, use your right foot to press down on the accelerator pedal. Increase engine speed until engine rpm will go no higher. Then release the accelerator pedal and allow the engine to return to idle. Note the maximum stall speed rpm (typically 1,500 to 2,200 rpm) and compare to specs.
If the engine stall speed is higher than specifications, the transmission is slipping (probably a holding clutch or band).
If the engine stall speed is lower than specifications, the torque converter is defective (stator is slipping), or the engine is not producing normal power (engine problem).
Note: the duration of a stall speed test should not exceed five seconds. The churning of the fluid inside the converter during this test produces a lot of heat, so let things cool down for a few minutes before repeating the test if necessary. For this reason, some vehicle manufacturers do not recommend performing a stall test, so always follow the vehicle manufacturer's recommended service procedures.
Sometimes a stator wheel will hang up and remain locked at high speed. If this happens it will act like a speed brake, causing the torque converter to fight against itself. The car may start out and drive normally at low speed, but as speed starts to build the engine will strain harder and harder to overcome the resistance. If the engine won't rev much beyond 3,000 rpm in neutral, the stator is definitely hung up.

 

would it throw a code? because i just went out and it's not giving any code....

 

For one going bad, I don't think it throws a code. Once it bad I believe it does, but I'm not positive.


I think Master Tech is a transmission guy, if so will hopefully chime in.