Hey there, I have a 1998 Dakota with the 3.9L V6. When I first bought the truck it would not start until the sun shown on it, but I have since fixed that problem. Next it would start and run like a dream for a while, and then would start spitting, bucking, and eventually stalling. I could tap on the computer with whatever was handy and it would start back up (or not depending on what kind of mood she was in). I took it to O'Reilly Auto Parts today for an OBD2 scan which revealed a short list of codes (p0132, 0300, 0301, 0303, 0305, 0351, and finally 0420) . I accidentally forgot to reconnect the vacuum line from the valve cover over to the throttle body cover and I believe that to be the cause of the misfires. I don't have an answer for the codes p0132 and p0420, but I know they deal with the catalyst system. All the plugs and wires are new (6 months) and the ignition coil is brand new last month. I'm still having the same problem with the bucking and stalling, and that is where I need your advice. Anything that anybody can think of at this point would be helpful. Thank you for reading.

 

p0132 is an O2 code. The next three are misfire codes, the last one is just whining about cat efficiency..... Which really doesn't come as a surprise. Ignore the last one for now. Think I would start with disconnecting the front O2 sensor, and going for a drive. See if the truck runs better. (I bet it does.....)

 

I did and it did for a couple of days, but it started bucking, and stalling again.

 

Likely a marginal sensor, or even PCM failing then...... Trouble is, until it is a hard failure, you can only guess.

 

Is it possible to replace PCM with PCM off of salvage yard truck?

 

Yep, needs to have the same engine/trans combo you do. Without having the VIN flashed, ABS, and SRS will be unhappy, but, the truck should start and run just fine, assuming the PCM is indeed the issue.

 

Considering that I can tap on the PCM and make it restart, what are the odds of that being the issue?

 

Pretty darn good.

 

I think that is suspect also .