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

Cuz you have a '91 Dakota.. As I see in ur signature n username.

necro post
 

I hate to do this but O'Reillys and Autozone cannot reset maint reqd light the scan tools do not have the software to do it went to both tonight and got nowhere. So I'm guessing the options are pull the light bulb, go to the dealer, or a shop with a proper OBD 2 scanner equipment.

Dudester

I doubt you'll find a dealer with scan tools that will go back that far anymore. Maybe in some old timer's storage bin..

You should be able to disconnect the battery for 30 mins and itll clear the code too.

Have you done this procedure yourself? The reason I ask is that this light in the 91 and newer could not be reset by just disconnecting the battery.

why does it come on?

I think it is trigger at specific mileage intervals, reminding you to do various things. All that info was in the owners manual, but, my guess is, you don't have one. :D

Because more than a specified mileage (for a 1990, I don't know for sure; for a 1988, it was not specified.

RwP

i changed the egr valve when i first got the truck because it was missing and someone had tapped over the light, now i took the gauge package apart and removed the light. also, the light that says i am low on washer fluid was on and the fluid reservoir was full so i jumped the terminals on the sensor until i can get a new one and the light went out.now for the brake and abs light, i am pulling the wheels off the backset tomorrow and will eventually replace all the brakes and springs and such. i also need to check the sensor in the diff for the abs, it is either dirty or broken probably broken, it hasn't been messed with since new and dad just ignored it.

If you can wait a few days ... check the price of ordering the better quality parts from RockAuto; then if your family is an Amazon Prime member, check the same manufacturers and part numbers there.

Order the parts in (hint: If at ALL possible, order the drums from Prime! Free Shipping on the heavy stuff makes a higher initial price less ...) and rebuild it over a weekend.

Due to age, I'd opt for new wheel cylinders, ALWAYS use a new hardware kit, new shoes, and new drums.

Spending a bit extra to get brakes that work right is cheaper than being "cheap" and totalling the truck, or worse, hurting or killing someone.

RwP

i always do a complete brake job all the hoses, calipers, wheel cylinders, pads, shoes, drums, rotors, and flush the snot out of it. it cost a little more but it is worth it.

I have an '89 Dakota with the "Maintenance Required" light on. One book says DRB 2 and I see OBD 2 tools mentioned. How can I clear it? Which tool will connect? I assume the blue box reset won't work on my '89. Local dealer was not much help.

DRB 2 or something equivalent.

OTOH, you CAN just unplug the blue box if you have it ... that way, it'll go out. Or take the bulb out.

It only says "Times to check EGR system"; that's all.

RwP

I can't locate the connector, I don't know what it looks like. Does it need to be DRB 2 or will OBD 2 work? Any one have a Dodge service manual for an '89? Thanks in advance. Doug.

http://www.autobooksbishko.com/searc...k&category=All shows the disc version for under $40 as I type this.

No, it's not OBDII. DRB2 is the version of the dealer tool.

The connector is under the hood, by the blower motor resistor, under the coil and a bit towards the passenger side. It looks like this:

Here's what will plug into it


https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/dodgefo...4424ec90f2.jpg


My SnapOn 2500 with the right carts and adapter will work just peachy keen. You may want to find one used on fleaBay and see what you can get it for.

Also, easiest thing to do is to remove the blue box (towards the door from the knee blocker under the dash; the one near the fuse box) if your truck uses it. If it's in the ECU, either a DRB or something similar to reset it, or just remove the light.

RwP

Thanks much. I'll look around for the plug in. I may just try to unhook the light. The chassis manual is a good idea.

Blue box to reset maintenance required light
 

[I found my "blue box" behind my glove box. Thr button that looks like needs to be depressed matching your picture, doesn't seem to do anything?
How long do you hold it down for? It doesn't seem like it really even pushes down, like a button should?
Also, do you have the key on so you're looking at the "maint req" light or have the key off?

QUOTE=7KINGKAOS7;2265292]How to reset the "Maintenance Required Light" on a '87-'88 Dodge Dakota
I found my "blue box" behind my glove box. Thr button that looks like needs to be depressed matching your picture, doesn't seem to do anything?
How long do you hold it down for? It doesn't seem like it really even pushes down, like a button should?
Also, do you have the key on so you're looking at the "maint req" light or have the key off?
I can't get mine to reset.
Thank you for your post!

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[/QUOTE]