I have a 89 dodge dakota 3.9 v6 4x4 for the last few days it has been dieing after taking my foot off the gas and it chugs and wants to die around 2500 rpm. I have no idea what it could be, with in the last month I have changed the cap & rotor, plugs & wires, oil, fuel filter and flushed the antifreeze.

 

My dad had a 96 van with the 3.9 did the same thing. It was the fuel pump. I would try that.

 

I'd first check the fuel pressure, then check and see if the cat's plugged (although a plugged cat normally won't cause it to not idle).

Also, be sure to check the throttle kicker (the IAC for these motors) and make sure it's not malfunctioning.

One more thing - be sure to run a good injector cleaner (I like a bottle of Seafoam in a tank of gas myself, Techron is also good) and make sure it's not just plugged injectors. I'd say take the top of the air filter off and see what the spray pattern looks like, but if I say that, that'll be when it decides to backfire and you'll be doing the "Did I just burn off an eyebrow?" Adam Savage impression ... or worse!

RwP

 

Had the same thing...check ur firing order and sometimes plug wires come brand new (bad). Plus dont let hickerbillies work on ur truck...even if you are a woman (in my case) i fixed it myself!

 

I wonder if this rig has the plenum gasket problem?

 

The 89? Not that I know of.

At this age, however, I'd be checking EVERY SINGLE vacuum line on the truck, including the evap lines, for cracks and leaks.

RwP