Does any one have schematics of the cruise control circuits for my Dakota? I am looking for the electrical and vacuum ones.

I can work from a wiring diagram if I have to, but schematics would make it easier.

Thanks
Steve

 

Before I answer, I need to ask - what's the difference between a wiring diagram and a schematic to you?

(The "wiring diagrams" in the factory service manuals are pretty much schematics, albeit with some pictorial of the physical layout of the connector ... )

RwP

 

the wiring diagram would be say the layout of the engine bay with the components in their respective locations with lines/wires going from point to point.

The schematic would be the electrical circuit with symbols representing switches, contacts, relay coils, and such. In addition they will have the positive or hot bus going across on one side and the negative/neutral/ground across the other side of the schematic.

If you look in the back of any appliance there should be a schematic of the machine. I am trained to trouble shoot from schematics and repair using the wiring diagram. The schematic will show me the electron path through devices and the wiring/connection diagram shows me where the device I believe to be bad is located.

Hope that helps explain it.

Steve

 

OK.

Then, the factory service manual is your best first shot.

They call them "wiring diagrams", but they're schematics.

RwP

 

Update:

My granddaughter and I rang out the connector under the steering column and found NO continuity through the SET switch.

Ok, the famous clockspring failure.

Called my family mechanic (BIL) and made arrangements to borrow his steering wheel puller. When I took the horn cover off I found a connector under it. Mathematically a 50/50 shot the spring or switch is bad. Realistically about 80/20. The spring is known to wear and fail and the switch is easy to get to.

Rang out the connectors on either side of the clockspring and found the circuits ALL intact.

Rang out the connector to the switch set and found my continuity issue there.

Cool, this is going to be an easy fix.

More to follow.

Steve

 

Took the switch set out and after looked all over two counties and considered a trip to Canada where a guy has a 93 Dakota he is parting out, I came up with NO replacement switch. This included trying every part store and junkyard in both counties. On the way home I bought a ON-OFF-ON momentary rocker switch thinking I can mould it in the housing to make things work.

Tonight I pried the switch apart and found this;

Sorry I can't seem to post the pictures after the text.

Steve

 

The grand daughter read me the numbers off the bad switch and I searched for a replacement and found it at Mouser Electronics for 1.53 and 7.99 shipping and it should be here by Wednesday.

After that I taught Lillie (the GD) how to desolder a component.

Next week she learns how to solder one back in.

The other picture is plan F or G.

Steve

 

Having come from GM's squarebody trucks and Chrysler's Sebring convertible worlds, my familiarity with "generations" is being challenged by these Dakota's.

The squarebodys were a true generational platform in that everything was pretty much a direct swap from 73 through 87. the grills, trim and a few interior parts might have changed, but could be swapped as needed.

The same went for my Sebring. From 96 to 2000 you could go to a wrecking yard and didn't have to worry what year the donor was, you had a 90% chance the part fit.

With my Dakota I am finding that there seems to be a mid generational shift. A lot of 93 and newer stuff doesn't fit my truck and I am afraid that some older stuff won't fit either.

What is the general consensus among the more experienced members of the forum?

 

Well, the whole industry went through major transitions late 80's into the late 90's.

But yes, there are variances.

Basically, depending on WHAT, the groupings, save for the I4s, go -

1987 - Carburated V6.

1988-89 - First years TBI, uses SMEC. Base automatic shifted from 3 speed lockup to 4 speed (OD) lockup; the 4 speed was an option in 1988, but became standard by the end of 1989.

1990-91 - Also TBI, uses SBEC. Most parts swap, but due to the transition from SMEC to SBEC, the wiring at the ECU is a bit more hinky.

1992-1993 First years Magnum. Bigger exhausts, smaller injectors (flow rate). Last years for mechanical speedo.

1994-1995 Second sequence Magnums; smaller exhaust, bigger (flow rate) injectors. First years for electronic speedo.

1996 - OBDII, no EGR, first year for RE transmissions.

Some parts don't change from 1987 to 1996; others changed almost every year.

RwP