my firend got a dodge dakota 2001 3.9L v-6 recently and it idles a bit rough and dies when in reverse and if it doesnt die it stumbles really bad. it seems to have liek no power on the low end. we did the spark plugs , cap, rotor, wires and it still idles rough, i cleaned out the throttle body too. it only has 43k miles on it. what do you guys think it could be?? thanks

 

sounds like you've already started with the basics... I'd look at the o2 sensors... the front ones monitor engine performance and trim the fuel curves depending on how the AFR is. the rears only monitor how well the cat's are working...

are there any rattles when you rev it? the cat converter could be plugged and or broken inside...

oh and BTW, check your air filter... I've seen some so clogged that the motor would do the exact same thing you describe.

 

Hey whats up man, I have a 2001 dakota sport and i have the same problem it runs great but it does die when i am backing up somtimes its like it gets no gas them or something..

 

yours sounds like a dirty throttle body, take it off and clean it and the IAC valve real good. make sure to get the small air passages clear as well...

 

well these are the things i would think they would be. the intank fuel filter(gotta love dodge for that), the TPS, maybe a throttle body base gasket, or fuel injectors need to be flowed. i pretty sure its fuel, if this is the way the v-6 should run then dodge has a problem. i forgot to mention its been to the dealer by the previous owner about 2 times for running liek crap. i can liek hit the gas really fast jus tliek tap then liek a sec later it revs up a little. my honda v-6 car has 200k more miles and runs better.