So, I just bought a $500 Dakota.

Its a 1995 3.9, SLT with the works....well, not works. It runs but I'm having idle issues. I know absolutely nothing about the history of this truck. All I know is that it runs, and gets me back and forth from work the past 2 days without issue....Except a few.

1) Rough idle and difficult to start. Pretty sure the difficult start is due to battery, as its pretty old. Rough idle, dunno. All I know is that if its warm, it idles better. While warming up, makes odd noises and sounds like its going to sputter and die, but remains running for now.

2) Truck temp doesn't rise above 1/4 on the gauge, even if its 90 degrees outside. Doesn't matter how hard I drive the truck, the gauge moves only minutely.

3) No heater/ac/defrost. Just doesn't blow anything out at all, can't figure it out...Going to have diagnosed by family mechanic.

4) If the passenger door is shut firmly, the truck will die if its running. I blame the ghost...

Now the temp. gauge is likely the thermostat and shouldn't be too difficult. The lack of climate control sucks but I can deal for the time being. However, number 1 and 4 may be related. Fuel pump? Hard jerk and truck dies...

For $500 I am not complaining. I am in a sore spot at the moment and the truck really was a godsent- I can work! But I wanna get my issues resolved so that the truck doesn't leave me stranded between home and southside St. Louis.

Thoughts? I know the truck could use a full tune up, and probably an oil change, which'll come soon. If y'all could help me out, please either post or send me a message.

 

I would suggest flushing the engine when before you do oil change. That will help breakup any sludge. Plan on changing and flushing again within 500 miles. Also when you change thermostat flush the cooling system, there could be blockage at heater hose, however since ac isnt working either it is most likely another issus like possibly relay.
For idle first thing I would look at is tune up and then cleaning injectors, if that doesnt help then there are several good posts in here to read and things to try.

Best of luck as I just got my 500.00 dakota running after putting nearly 2500.00 into it.

 

Oh by the way the biggest part of my expenses were due to my own stupidity or lack of knowledge. Not because truck needed it.

 

Sounds like more than one prob with # 1 , but you should remove the IAC and clean it, and the port it goes into on the TB.(look in the DIY section for directions on how to clean)It may just need to be replaced. And also if you think you have a battery or charging system problem, you should have that squared away first , because if that is screwed up the truck will not run correctly.

And as far as #2 goes, the PO may have removed the thermostat completely.

 

Well, number 1 just went from bad to worse; Now the truck won't run without the assist of the gas pedal, and as soon as you let off the gas, it dies.

Here's what happened: Drove truck to auto parts store to pick up jumper cables, some stuff to clean mold out of carpeting and air freshener as the truck was smelling. Truck running better than normal. Brought it back to house to begin cleaning out fungus, left running for a few minutes. Began idle surging, between 900 high, 300 rpm low. Real quick changes, audible difference. Truck died. Attempted to start back up, started as normal and as the RPM dropped from 1200 at startup, it just died again. Same response afterwards and since.

If I hold ANY pressure on the throttle/gas pedal, the truck idles smoothly. Holds idle at 1000-1200 RPM, no surging. At 2000 RPM, it surges down to 1800 rpm.

I'm eliminating thoughts of fuel pump/fuel pressure regulator as the flow seems fine. Possible EGR valve concern? All I know is that I've got to get this truck running by friday spending less than $100, or I'm going to miss a date with this girl I've been anticipating and building up to for a month; if I foul it up the girl is gone for sure....and she's a cute one!

Now I hate to be hasty but I may end up idling her up some just to get by until the weekend, when I'll be able to do more work on the truck.

 

Sure sounds like the IAC to me. If you decide to replace it don't buy a crappy brand from Auto Zone or where ever.

 

Okay, she's running again! Slammed the passenger door a couple of times and she started right up, with no stalling out.

I looked in the DIY section for the article on cleaning/changing the IAC and couldn't find it in there, even after setting the page to "beginning" for time line; no dice. I'm thinking you're right.

Got a minor coolant leak too, nothing major but if it gets worse I'm gonna be replacing hoses.

This truck is possessed. Slam the door, it dies, slam it again and its all good....lol.

 

Sounds like vacuum leak or electrical short to me.

 

I'm thinking an electrical short, honestly....I'm just totally at a loss on it. Whomever did the speaker work in it before did a very shoddy job as well, they decided to access wiring to the back by going through the upholstery! I've got a mechanic that I'm going to take the vehicle to for diagnosis and overall assessment, as there are a few minor issues otherwise. I just hope that the truck gets me to and from my very important date (with a wonderful girl) tomorrow!!

 

Hope he is a mechanic "friend". Tracking down electrical issues can very expensive very fast.