HELLO HERE IS MY PROBLEM I HAVE A 96 DAKOTA 3.9 MY CHECK EGINE LIGHT COMES ON WHEN I START THE TRUCK.IF THER IS A CODE MY LIGHT WILL COME ON BUT NOT STAY ON I NEED TO FIX THIS PROBLEM BECUSE IN MY STATE I HAVE INSPECTION

 

It it normal operation for the Check Engine light to come on momentarily (3-5 seconds or so) when the truck is initially turned on, and than the light will go out.

Please visit https://dodgeforum.com/forum/1st-gen...ml#post1472415 to see how to check for codes.
Also, since 1996 is fully OBDII compliant, you can go to any place and have your codes pulled (AutoZone and most other auto parts stores can scan for free).

 

yes dodge that i kno but what im saying is when i get a code my light will come on but not stay on

 

take it to any parts store and get them to pull the code off it and from there you will know whats wrong and what you have to fix to get the light to stay off

 

thank you 4 the help but your not geting my ? what im saying is my light will not stay on when i get a code

 

Thats nothing to worry about. My truck is OBDI, so it has a different computer, but my light does not stay on either.

 

ooohhh k i think i understand what your asking now... what your say is, your check engine light stays on all the time unless there is something wrong?

 

The computer will keep codes in memory even if they are not current.
From the service manual, the Check Engine light will only stay illuminated for a code that affects vehicle emissions. So, plainly, just because there is an active code stored, does not mean the check engine light will be on.
Also, say a "vehicle emissions" effected code is found, and the check engine light comes on. If, for whatever reason, the symptom that caused the code to come up, goes away, it takes 3 "good trips" for the computer to no longer turn the light on.

The codes can stay in computer memory for 40 "warm up" cycles, and after which, the computer will finally erase them.

Again, as stated before, if you have any worries about a stored code, active code, or whatever, so get the codes read. Everything sounds like the system is operating correctly, so until you get a code reading, and tell us what it says, your not helping yourself.

 

no my light is not on all the time

 

Okay you said the light will come on but not stay on. When does it come on? And for how long?

Not all codes will make the check engine light come on. Like stated above.