I have a 96 3.9 and the thing just takes forever to get up to temp and even when it does the heat is not as warm as it should be and im cold. It had a new heater core, thermostat, water pump and temp sensor installed last summer so they are all new. Any suggestions? I live in ct and its like 5 degrees today and i want to fix this issue.

 

sounds like the thermostat, check the degree, maybe to low or just a bad one.

 

what temp should I get?

 

Could also check the hoses I had about the same problem and it ended up being a clogged hose once I unclogged it it seemed to work okay. Though I just did it last night so I'll see this morning when I head to work

 

I have the same problem with my 95 v8 Dakota. I replaced my thermostat as well, thinking it will allow my engine to reach the normal temperature. It did not work. My engine temperature gauge sits a couple hairs above the cold line, and it blows luke-warm air at best on the lowest blower setting. I am stumped myself.

 

Check the coolant also check the temp on the hoses to see if they are warm

 

92 w/5.2L V8 .. engine just don't heat up.. rad is cold, heater hoses warm and roughly similar in temp rad hoses cooler, second winter and learnt to live with it but its sure nice when I start in the morning and the brand new trucks cant :O and all I here is *can I get a boost* HAAHAHHAHA

 

This is a very common problem with our Dakotas. I also just had water pump, thermostat, etc. replaced on my '93 3.9, just as cold as ever! I just did a startpage.com (I loathe all things google!) search, and somebody said there's a valve or something in the heater hose inlet that will stay open or closed, forgot, and that will cause heater to not get hot.

So, OP (for geezers like me, that's original poster) also had all these things changes and still no heat. Hey, if any of us find what really gives us heat, please post here! Even in Mississippi I'm freezing to death in me truck!! I feel for y'all boys in the north!

 

Here's one I found:

"The heater core on your dakota may not have a retaining valve so you're constantly changing coolant thru every part of the cooling system. Where the coolant lines go into the firewall check the top line for a retaining valve, if you have one try tightening it, if completly tighten try replacement. That was my problem".

Another suggestion:

I had this same problem for two years. Heat punp was OK, thermostate was OK, heater core OK... the problem was fixed back flushing the heater core ...very easy, you can do it your self using a garden hose . My Dokota has good heat now.

 

well if engine isn't heating up...... your nnot gonna get much heat but if you get to temp eventually and heat still sucks, sound slike either the valve if equipped or heatercore needs a backflushing... my issues on mine is engine never warms up