Hi folks, new here so here is a little about me. Love to drive and see the country with my RV. Retiring soon but not soon enough. I bracket race at Englishtown and Island Dragway. My truck is a 2004 Dakota SLT extended cab, 4.7, 5 speed MANUAL, 3:55 limited slip rear and trailer tow package. 106,000 miles as of yesterday. Great daily drive and race truck (15.7 is my best on a pure stock truck). It also is my tow vehicle for a 6,000 pound travel trailer. Love it except for right now. Changed the battery yesterday and now the damn thing won't idle after being taken out of gear. Any ideas out there? The only thing done was a battery change. It sure has me stumped!

 

Welcome to Dodge Forum!! Enjoy the site!!

Dusty

 

Welcome to the site. I will move this thread to the second generation Dakota section,
FF

 

My Camaro used to idle really rough after I took the battery out till the computer "readjusted" then one day it just stopped. Maybe give it a day or too and see what happens.

 

Had the same type of issue with an Pontiac. I thought the computer had to readjust as well. It being a 5 speed, it sure was fun keeping idle at a stop, and a foot on the brake, then clutch. It just seem to work it's self free of bugs after an hour or so of driving.

 

OK, got it done. Here is the geek/mechanic solution. The problem with the Dakotas, and probably others with similar engines and computers, is that the computer is V E R Y slow in getting a read on the idle speed motor signal. When I talked to a friend at Chrysler about the no-idle situation he said the ISM goes all the time when you change or unhook the battery. Turns out he was partially right. Instead of buying a new part, I took a chance and unplugged it, turned the key to RUN a few times and plugged it back in. A couple of more visits to RUN and it was back to it's old self!
Yes, the idle speed motor can go bad but before you replace it try the above procedure first if you have to unhook the battery for repairs.

 

Now I think I even have the pic in right.

 

welcome to the site fellow long islander. when the battery gets disconnected the computer resets alot of things so they say to drive it easy for the first 50 miles or so. No wot or burnouts for a couple days.

and i cant see any pics.

 

Welcome.

 

Welcome to the forum!

Nice that you figured it out.