I have a 1995 Dakota that last week seem to have given up the ghost in everyway possible. I am looking for some direction. First it has 135,000 miles on the 3.9 v6 with automatic transmission I am the 2nd owner. Last week the power started dropping off and I can't get it over 3500 rpms even in the driveway in nuetral. I drove it to the local auto parts to check to see if their were any codes and it over heated driving under 2 miles. I parked it for a few days and and yesterday I added tot he 1/4 of a tank a can of fuel injector cleaner and a can of octane boost. A friend suggested I might have gotten some bad gas and the over heating was just a fluke added it. I started it and it seem to run a bit better I drove it to the gas station to ad some mid grade trying to compensate for a watereas situation 3/4 of a mile truck over heated again and now it won't shift into third gear it's driving like I am dragging and anchor. The truck has been really babied for the past 3 years regular oil changes and service just had the brake lines replaced and a complete rotors out brake job. Truck has never had a plow and I don't pull a trailer previous owner had a utility trailer single axle kit type no real heavy towing.

At this point I don't know where to start looking is this a transmission issue or and engine issue or am I correct time for retirement. I hate the thought of getting ride of the truck body is near perfect with Zero Rust and everything else works perfectly other then the driver seat rip that seems to be on all of these the truck is great until 2 weeks ago. Any suggestions or comments would be appreciated.

Thanks for reading

[

 

The way the truck runs sounds like a tranny issue, but that doesn't explain why the truck is overheating. Could be 2 separate issues. If you haven't already check the trans fluid level, and also the condtion of the fluid, that'll tell you alot about the condition of your trans. Even with a small trailer on the back of that, it's still enough to hurt the trans if it wasn't towed properly (OD off), you can look at these trans wrong and they'll give up (Not chrysler's strongest). As for the cooling system, you could pressure test the system and see if you're losing any coolant, replace the t-stat, flush the system, etc. (maybe not in that order, just rattling off).

 

I just have to ask! Is the e-brake on. I know it sounds simple but if the brakes are on than that would be a good answer to all your problems. If it is not on than It seems like the tranny is going out. The engnie is trying so hard to move the truck that its overheating it self.

 

i agree i think that the trany is going out i think this because on mine the trany went out at 170,000 and i had alot of the same problems. and when i went and got it rebuilt the guy told that on these models alot of the time the radiator stops cooling the the trany fluid in turn burning it up. so your radiator could be clogged burning up the trany and causing you to run hot. hope this makes since. good look

 

I'm just going to throw this out there but maybe its your cat or a bad fuel filter...i could be wrong...is it bogging down?

 

This sounds oddly similar to what I am experiencing w/ my 92 v8. Changing the fuel filter seemed to have aided the situation for me (though it came right back maybe 50 mi later). I also swapped for the 180 degree t-stat (as opposed to stock 190/5 idr). I one the other hand have a fresh tranny (rebuilt about 2k ago) the fluid is perfect color and has remained full. What happens when you go over 3500 rpm? I notice I have shifting issues too specially around 3rd (generally if I let off it will shift up). I also notice that it really only occurs once it gets hot (at least operating temp) Is this the case with yours.

So far the only thing I haven't been able to rule out that seems to keep showing up as a cause is the timing chain. I would think then that it would occur regardless of temperature and maybe the idle time would be off as well (though what do i know...) Thus far it's the only thing I haven't checked yet as I haven't had the time or the will to pull off the timing chain cover.

keep us posted on this I would like to see how this pans out, It's nice to know I am not the only one having an issue of this sort. (though I still can't tell if they're the same)

 

Ive replaced every part on my 95 dakota. You need a radiator. You probab;ly need a tranny rebuid because the first gear was the loosed(is that a word?) loose of the gears. I saw it on the bench and it was still good when i decided to have it rebuilt but i wanted to keep the truck. i had the same shop rebuild the rear end. i have limited slip too. when you get the garage to rebuild it be sure they get the update kit part. even though the owner told his son to put the update part in he forgot. i went to the shop to see how it was coming and he told his son to take the new part out( a seal ) and replace it with the update seal. He did. Another problem you will have is the steering column ,power steering and shaft. I had a used unit put in because I could not afford the new one$1200 so I got a used one but it is starting to make a clunking noise when I turn the wheel. Also you will need a computer soon too. You will experience a problem that you will think its the alternator. But its the computer. Your gauges will dance all over the dash. i have appr 140000 miles on mine. I was so convinced it was the dash unit I got another one from the junk yard. So I always add up the old mileage on the old one plus the amount of miles I put on the new dash. Confused yet? Also I use super premium. The check engine light comes on(then goes off after you restart) if the computer detects low octane. That wont happen in an 96 or newer .The computer compensates. But it happens in 95. Alsp dont buy a junk yard computer even if its a match to your 95. The software could be different. Ive been there done that.

 

i'm sticking with rt and milky, my tranny has been bad for years (burned fluid on a regular basis) and my 89 sport 3.9 doesn't overheat. i haul a slide in camper off-road and it still doesn't overheat. i don't think the problem has to do with the tranny, it's engine related.

 

Try to determine if the catalytic converter is not completely or nearly completely clogged from age or contamination. The easiest way is to remove it from the vehicle, but it may be rusted on the pipe and will need to be cut off.

 

Do you have good vacuum? Tranny shift issues, overheating, no power....could be running really lean.