My inlaw has a 2000 Dakota, it is running bad at regular speed but good when he puts it to the floor. Spits and sputters until he runs it hard. What can it be?

 

Hi Kbbgood,

What engine/transmission?

Is the check engine light on? Try this: with the engine OFF, turn the key to RUN (don't start it), then OFF, back to RUN, then OFF, then leave it in RUN.

Any codes will display in the odometer window.

 

When is the last time he had a tune up? Could be plugs (fouled or worn out), coil packs, dirty intake, loose air hose, etc. I'd check the plugs and hoses first.

 

It's the 3.9 V-6 with the 5 speed trans. Just wondering if it could be the sensors or something like that. The engine light is not lite so don't know what could be wrong with it. Would having the computer test tell us what is wrong?