Write up: How to reset the Maintenance Required Light
 

How to reset the "Maintenance Required Light" on a '87-'88 Dodge Dakota

First off lets determine which year dakota has which set-up:

'87-'88 have the "Blue" module below the headlight switch under the dash.

'89-'95 you will need a DRB II scan tool to turn the light off. The dealer should have this and be able to turn it off for you. Or you can buy a scan tool, which isn't cheap...

Now lets know why the light comes on in the 1st place:
(Scanned from my owners manual)
　Attachment 76857



1) Take off the 2 lower dash panels under the steering wheel. 3 screws for the one directly under the steering wheel. And 2 screws for the one nearest to the drivers door.
Attachment 76858


2) Directly below the headlight switch under the dash you'll see a medium size "Blue" module. Now I've read that some of these modules have a 9v battery in them, which go bad after awhile and need to be replaced. In my case my truck DID NOT have a 9v battery in it.. Where the red arrow is pointing. thats where the 9v battery would be if your truck had one. Now if you look at the picture where the white circle is. Thats the button you need to press. Have the truck running, then use a toothpick or something similar and press the button.
Attachment 76859

Attachment 76860


3) Now reattach the panels, and your done, enjoy not having the light on to annoy you!

Now, all this info I gathered is from searching 4 diffirent sites, reading my owners manual, and by resetting the light myself on my '88 Dakota 2wd.



If anyone sees any wrong info. Please correct me. Thanx and enjoy!

~7KINGKAOS7

Nice write up! I'm sure this will help out tons of people. I will post this in the FAQ in this section.

Thanx! Anything 2 help out the community..

I see you have a vent release lever - what's that for?

To let air from the outside in or out..

Yeah - was just wondering where that vent is. No big deal.

From my manual: "From below the instrument panel on the drivers side."

awesome i need to do this

Shew...the good old days

i dont have that blue box, theirs nothing like that in that general area