Well then how about this method. Quoted from Allpar.com

1998-2002 (maybe more) Dodge trucks and Jeeps, put transmission in neutral, parking brake on, then do the acc-run key sequence 3 times ending with RUN.

There was an obvious change in the way codes were retrieved from ’98-’00, but people are able to do it without a scan tool. Some people on different forums have reported having to do the key on-off cycle 5 to 10 times others the inst test method also shows codes. Maybe Chrylser was testing out various methods for those years before settling on a single method.
It can’t hurt to try.

 

Can you post a link to the article please?


Toastking30-
Yes the TB is separate from the intake manifold. It is very easy to remove, I would put in a new gasket while you're at it.

 

Here's a couple:
http://www.allpar.com/fix/codes.html

http://www.dakota-truck.net/CODES/codes.html

 

Well I Held the trip reset down and did it that way, It did check through all the lights and checked each gauge but that is where it stoped it did flash any codes on the odometer at all like it said it would. Ohh well Just going to do a tune up, clean the IAC and TB and go from there to see if it doesn't come up again.

 

Negative!

See the option was not installed into the PCM software until 2000 in the Durangos, and I also believe the Dakota. Now in other Chrysler products they have been messing around with it for years, but it was a "Blink" that the engine light would flash. It would flash in 4 series giving the code.

Basically if there was a code in the system stored and you did the key dance it would blink only the code. For instance it would blink 1 time then hold about 3-4 seconds, them blink 2 times then hold for 3-4 seconds, then blink 3 times and hold for 3-4 seconds, then blink 4 times and hold again if the code was in the thousands. In this series as I have described you would get a 1234 when you put it all together. This code would mean that you were dealing with a P1234 code and you would fix it.

Now when they graduated to OBD-II most of this was changed and integrated software was then installed into the compliant PCM. Again in 2000+ years. This set the new wave of just popping up the code, instead of counting blinks and hoping you got it right. It was a much better system. There was medium cross over years nothing was installed like in the 1998-1999 Durango and Dakota.

The reason you are getting mixed reviews is because people state that it will work, but fail to describe exactly what they have and the people that are giving the information in the first place don't quite know what they are talking about. Here is the correct way to get the codes on the 2000+ Durango's:


There is a few ways of reseting a PCM, however they all have the same principle in mind. You disconect the main power (battery) and exhaust the residual power from the PCM. But that is for a different topic and not this thread.

 

Ok, thanks Hydra I'll buy that the option in the software was removed for '98-'99 and your reasoning for the misleading info I've been getting. But OBD II was mandated on all cars and light trucks sold in the U.S. in 1996 and the key on/off method absolutely worked on my old '97 Dak 3.9 5 speed.

 

I found this site http://bionicdodge.com/Download/Spee...d%20Tricks.pdf

Good stuff here and confirms that '98 and '99 dodges need a code reader but '97s didn't.

 

Why wouldn't they continue on with it?

 

Like I said they overhauled the PCM's software. If there is a few years kicking around then whatever, but in the Durango it was not used until 2000 year.

 

What ever came about the original problem? I also have a 99 Durango that has the CEL on with no codes.