Need some advice! 96 Dakota
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Need some advice! 96 Dakota
I just found this forum, so if this topic has been discussed please forgive me & point me in the right direction......
A few weeks ago I bought a 96 Dakota V6 4x4, 140k miles.
It runs pretty good but spits & misfires occasionally.
Check Engine light was on so I took it to Oriellys to have the codes read. Misfires in cylinder 1-4.
The previous owner said he replaced plugs & wires. (Wires are new).
So, I was told it could be the ignition switch. Easy cheap fix, so I did that. Also used some injector cleaner.
For about a week, it ran great. Then it stalled at a stoplight, and when it fired back up, the CEL came back on.
Reading the same codes: P0300-P0305 and P0141
I bought more plugs, I figured that would be an easy fix. Havent had time to change them yet.
This morning, it cranks & cranks, but will not start.
Sometimes it takes a little to start, but it has never been this bad.
What do you suggest? I am not a mechanic, but have tools & a chiltons, and I'm willing to work on it to learn.
Could the plug wires be crossed to cause a misfire?
Injectors? Distributor?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
A few weeks ago I bought a 96 Dakota V6 4x4, 140k miles.
It runs pretty good but spits & misfires occasionally.
Check Engine light was on so I took it to Oriellys to have the codes read. Misfires in cylinder 1-4.
The previous owner said he replaced plugs & wires. (Wires are new).
So, I was told it could be the ignition switch. Easy cheap fix, so I did that. Also used some injector cleaner.
For about a week, it ran great. Then it stalled at a stoplight, and when it fired back up, the CEL came back on.
Reading the same codes: P0300-P0305 and P0141
I bought more plugs, I figured that would be an easy fix. Havent had time to change them yet.
This morning, it cranks & cranks, but will not start.
Sometimes it takes a little to start, but it has never been this bad.
What do you suggest? I am not a mechanic, but have tools & a chiltons, and I'm willing to work on it to learn.
Could the plug wires be crossed to cause a misfire?
Injectors? Distributor?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
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Joined: Aug 2007
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From: NM
My best guess is a bad fuel pump. It is possible it wasn't able to maintain good pressure and not supply all injectors with correct fuel. And now no start so maybe it died.
First thing to do is find out if you have correct fuel pressure and volume. Next see if you have spark. Next replace your O2 sensor.
P0300 Misfire detected in multiple cylinders. **
P0305 Misfire detected in cylinder #5
P0141 Downstream oxygen sensor heating element circuit malfunction.
First thing to do is find out if you have correct fuel pressure and volume. Next see if you have spark. Next replace your O2 sensor.
P0300 Misfire detected in multiple cylinders. **
P0305 Misfire detected in cylinder #5
P0141 Downstream oxygen sensor heating element circuit malfunction.
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Thanks Crazy4x4RT
I was told the fuel filter is built into the pump on this. Is it tough to change?
And this is probably a dumb question but what is the downstream oxygen sensor heating element circuit?
I was told the fuel filter is built into the pump on this. Is it tough to change?
And this is probably a dumb question but what is the downstream oxygen sensor heating element circuit?
P0141 Downstream oxygen sensor heating element circuit malfunction.
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,923
Likes: 19
From: NM
On 96-up there are 2 O2 sensors. Upstream/#1 is before the catalytic converter, downstream /#2 after the cat. The heating element is part of the sensor. Like I said just replace the sensor.