Hi guys. I've been lurking and searching your posts for a while and have found answers to many of my questions. All here seem knowledgeable and ready to help others. Well here goes, this may be long but I've got multiple questions. Hope this is OK. First, my Dakota is base model,2.5 and 5 spd with air (currently unhooked),228000 miles and running strong. Needs lots of work, but that is one reason I got it. I am not totally mechanically stupid but real close so don't laugh if the question is a little basic. Just had clutch replaced (whole set,throwout bearing,etc) and today I changed the trans fluid (syn 10W-30). First question; When the pedal is out and trans not in gear,you can hear a noise,not grinding or loud,just different than when pedal pushed in (no noticeable noise), is this normal or maybe input shaft bearing bad? Should there be no difference in sound when pedal is in or out if all is OK? Also when I checked trans fluid after change, a little oil came out so I didn't stick my finger in. Should I to be sure it is full (used 2 quarts,minus what didn't make to the trans) by using my finger or is that little bit leaking out enough to know it is full? Also at what temp should the fan cut on and how does that relate to the guage? Temp seems to go up and down, up while sitting (to 3/4 gauge)and then down while driving (to 1/4 gauge). And lastly, I want to add power steering (rack is cheaper and needs to be replaced anyway). What do I need besides pump,rack,hoses, pump bracket? Steering shaft same? Tie rod ends same? Thanks in advance for your responses, I look forward to the help. Scott.

 

95_318SLT will be best to answer your question. He will be on soon.

 

Welcome to DodgeForum!!

As long as the noise isn't a loud screech/scream/whining type noise thats typical of a bad bearing, alls ok. Here is the difference... when the clutch pedal is depressed and the truck still, there is nothing moving in the transmission, when you let off the clutch, even in neutral, the input and intermediate shafts spin, so they will make noise. It should be a fairly subtle noise though, not loud. In other words, you would almost have to be listening for it to hear it. My nv3500 does the same thing.

I'm not too familiar with the nv2500, but on all manual transmission's I've ever messed with, the bottom of the fill hole is the "full line" for the transmission. So as long as the truck is sitting on level ground, and there is just a little bit pouring out without the fill plug in, then it is at the right level.

I'm not too familiar with the 4 cyl dakotas, and they are the only ones that come with an electric fan. On most vehicles, the fan kicks on at or around the same temp that the thermostat is supposed to open. Can you hear your fan kick on? Thermoswitches don't last forever... if your fan isn't even coming on, there's a good chance you need a new thermoswitch.

As for the power steering swap, I'm not sure, but you'd need a pump, bracket to mount the pump, and a belt to turn the pump. I don't know if the newer 4 cyl dakotas came with power steering that you could get the parts off of or not. But the rack itself should just bolt in... but don't hold me to that!

 

Thanks 95_318SLT for the answers. When you say thermoswitch, are you talking about coolant temp switch, like would show on the gauge or different switch? Fan works, jumped it to battery, just has not come on when driving. Is it wired to the A/C so that since A/C is disconnected, fan won't work either? And on the clutch thing, there is just a little whine, not sure if whine is the right word here, but you can hear a different sound, not loud. Anyway your answer makes me feel better. Could changing the trans oil have anything to do with the noise?Thanks again, Scott.

 

There may not be a thermoswitch... it may be computer controlled. Like I said before, I'm not too familiar with the 4 cyl dakotas and they are the only ones that come with an electric radiator fan. If there is a thermoswitch, it will be on the intake manifold, probably close to the upper radiator hose. It will look similar to a ECT (engine coolant temp) sensor. If it is computer controlled, then you could have a bad ECT sensor. Have you tried running the diagnostics codes to see if the computer pulls code 17?

Also, your theory about having the A/C unplugged could be possible, but I'd be surprised if being unhooked would stop the fan from working. I'd definately look into the coolant sensor (or switch) first.

And it sounds to me like the transmission is fine. It be a situation where it has always made the noise, but you're just now noticing it because you just maintenced the transmission so its on your mind!

 

i do know that the fan is somewhat controlled by the ac. its supposed to come on when you turn the ac on. i had that experience with my old daytona. you can bypass it with a jumper wire or as i did by using a resistor.

 

Thanks guys for all the help. I feel better about my trans noise. I'm sure you were right, 95_318SLT, that I just noticed it more since I was working on it. I do have another question though, there is something called a throttle body temperature sensor on the throttle body. Could this have to do with the fan? I actually took it off yesterday to try to get IAC module off (couldn't) and it was covered with white greasy stuff on the sensor end. Any ideas what it is and if it should be cleaned off. Can get pic if necessary. Thanks again everyone for the replies.

 

i think your connector came apart. i found that same white greasy stuff on my old engine coolant temp sensor when i pulled it out and apart.

 

Thanks, I'll check that out. Scott.

 

I am removing a busted 4 cylinder (thrown rod) and good 5 spd trans (with new clutch parts) from an 89, will be tossing power steering stuff, AC stuff, manual tranny stuff....
Let me know what you need from that pile, a few bucks plus shipping and it is yours....