Greetings,

I fell upon this site while looking for help with My dad's Dodge Dakota.
His Truck is a 2003 Dakota extended cab with the 3.9L V6 and 4 speed automatic. For the last couple of years we have had problems with the truck stalling out in 4x4 when making sharp turns, only his winter has it also started stalling when only in 2 wheel drive as well, once again when making really sharp turns.
We just had the truck into the dealership to have the computer updated and they looked into the problem for us. They said they could not find a problem but they "believed" some sensor might be bad and they wanted $400 to fix it. NO THANKS!
Not to talk bad about Dodge on a dodge forum but we have had transmission problems, many rough idle problems and now this problem. Anyhow i forgot to mention the truck has 47,000 miles on it, im still learning in the automotive field so if anyone can point me on where to look to get to the bottom of this problem it would be well appreciated.

Thanks

 

Ill argee with you on the trannys. They are junk, if you dont keep them up and maintain them about as much as you change the oil they like to take craps on you.

as for it running rough. I suggest a tune up, its due anyways, cap, rotor, plugs, wires, coil, you can get all of it at Napa make sure you use the cap with brass they have.

as for it dieing while in 4x4 and 4x2 making sharp turns is a first for me. I have NEVER heard of this problem, did you try to Google "Dodge 4x4 stalls Sharp Turns" that might give you something if not. I'm no help in that area.

 

why are you running part time 4x4 full time unless it's awd/your roads suck? check your fluid level first. the most common issue would be for the tranny to slip but check the fluid level first (engine running, row through all gears ending in neutral, level ground). as out of this world it sounds but do you have issues with the fuel pump?

 

check your power steering fluid. check the rack and pinion and see if its leaking.

 

What are you talking about with part time 4x4? I only used 4 wheel drive in the last 2 snow storms we had. For regular conditions I only use 2 wheel drive.
As for fluids, both the transmission and power steering pump are full.
I don't have the gauge for testing fuel pressure but the dealer checked that and said the pressure was in range.

 

my 99 2wd 3.9 auto, dose the same thing, but i've noticed that when mine dose it the RPMs drop below 500 then dies. a guy at work suggested cleaning the injectors, but she's put up for the winter right now, so i'll try the sea foam treatment in the spring. if you find something difrent with yours, i'de love to know, might help me out to.

 

ok,, i was confused by the wording but youre following the proper procedure to operating 4x4 on the truck.

 

power steering pressure switch. located on the high pressure line, very close to the power steering pump.

 

i have a 99 3.9 and i can be a complete stop and turn the wheel completly and the rpms drop massively and idle bad, but never died on me. if you figure it out please post

 

youre over working the steering pump. dont force the wheel into the lock, burn out the pump that way. it will bog out the engine too. let alone youre turning the wheels while the vehicle is still, more work for the pump. try putting all your weight on bicycle handle bars and turn them while not moving. now do it while moving. tell me which one is easier. my money is on while its moving. same concept for a car and truck.