Hi, I am new here and would like some help if somebody would mind. My 1997 dakota 3.9 liter is driving me insane. The truck has been running ruff and dying at stop light for some time now. I have replaced NEW parts IAC, plugs, wires, distributer cap, rotor, timing chain and gears, crank sensor (when I had a no spark condition) Also I could not locate any cracked or dryrotted vacuum lines.

The engine still runs rough like its missing. it pulls like 10 different P codes including randoms and cylinder 1,3 &4. purge, o2.. Anyways after replacing the above stuff and connecting multimeter to O2 sensor (determined it was ok) I decided to get a PCM from the junk yard. I pulled the PCM from a 1996 Dakota. Installed it. My 1997 started right up with the 96 computer but none of the gauges nor the odometer worked. My question is Does the PCM from the 96 need to be programmed or is there something else I possibly over looked.

 

There was a major redesign of the Dakota in 1997, and I'm not sure how the electronics were changed. You may need a PCM from a newer truck or that one might need to be reflashed.

Other than the gauge problem, how did the thing run with the "new" PCM?

 

Thank you for the quick reply. That kinda stinks as the 96 was the newest dakota on the lot other than a 2002 but i figured it was too new.

 

Just noticed your question. It seemed to run fine. However, I drove it to the store. it was a short trip and it usually started acting up and stalling after it had been running for a while at operating tempurature. ( Also I forgot to mention that my muffler had exploded prior to the tune up so I assumed it was a rich condition)

 

I thought a 96 had only two wiring harnesses on the PCM in 97 they went to three. I'm quite suprised it started at all I don't think a re flash will help. I think you can go anywhere from a 97 to 2001

 

Yes the 96 had 3 wiring harnesses on it... Well according to the hood and the vin number on the truck it was a 96 but it did say 1997 on the actual part