I just bought a 97 dakota 4x4 with a 5.2Lt it has a nice body except for the lack of clear coat. Not sure what the deal is with that because my 02 dakota is loosing its clear too. Anyway I wanna get it running right but it has some issues.
1. check engine light is on but my code scanner is not picking up the truck, just says connect to the vehical
2. exhaust smells like its running rich
3. the throttle response sucks, take a bit to rev up after you depress the gas peddle and a while to rev back down after you let off.
4. got the generic codes using the key trick and its 12 every time, 22 a couple times and 23 once.
5. I noticed the battery wires are attached to those cheap clamp on terminal clamps and the clamps themselves were pretty beat up.
6. the engine temp does not seem to be reading correct, goes up to 140 then slowly drops to nothing

Someone correct me if i'm wrong or before I spend too much money easter egging issues. Here is what I plan on doing tomorrow.
1 replace battery cable
2 replace ECT
3 New plugs, wires, cap, rotor, coil
see if that solves the problem if not move on to the following
4 IAC valve
5 O2 sensors
if those don't work then replace the plenum gasket

Is this a logical order or should i do something different?
Does anyone know what could be causing the code scanner not to read the truck and how to fix that?

Thanks in advance for the help.

 

You can get the codes off the mileage clock. Turn the key on than off 3 times on 3rd time just leave it on.

 

Thats how I was able to get the 12/22/23 codes. I had very similar issues with my 02 and after a dozen or so trips to the garage and every sensor changed, new exhaust from the cat back, plenum gasket and tons of other crap I gave up and decided to just drive it till it died and after a few weeks it just sorta fixed itself. I don't have the time or money to play that silly game again but I have to get the check engine light off so it will pass inspection.