A few of months ago, I bought a 2003 Dakota slt. Upon my purchase I replaced just about everything on this truck for good measure. Things were going great until last night. It was pouring rain and as I started my Dakota, it began to shake rapidly (was noticeable from outside the car too). I still drove it home however, and everything appeared to work fine, apart from the harsh, consistent shaking. Then, this morning, had the same shaking problem and the engine and brake light were lit on my dash. I got t it checked out, and the guy told me everything looked as it should. I was skeptical and got a second opinion, and was once again told that everything was on the up and up. I'm continuing to drive my Dakota, but I'm baffled by the shaking and have probably put more money into fixing up this truck, than it's worth. But if anyone could share how to make the shaking stop, it would be much appreciated.

 

What was the code for the check engine light?

 

My boyfriend (a self-proclaimed "car expert") says it's a p1399. But he also told me that my brake light was on because I was sliding. Yet I was still in park when the light came on, therefore there's no way that's why that light was on. So I don't really know how credible that reading is haha

 

If the check engine light is on, everything is not normal. What is/are the codes?

 

I couldn't tell ya, I have a very limited knowledge of cars (if that isn't obvious, considering I decided to drive a shaking car with its lights on haha). But Firestone and Pep Boys told me that everything was fine. My boyfriend gave me a code (p1399) but I'm about 99% sure it's not correct. So I basically have no clue what's going on with my car

 

That is a misfire code so that would cause shaking. Could be a broken spark plug, bad coil, etc. something ignition related. What exactly have you replaced so far?

 

You can have it read at any auto parts store for free.

 

Or buy yourself one for less than $20.

 

It would be easier to tell you what I haven't replaced..
When I initially took it in they told me that the last owner did something to make it so that the tires could fall off at any moment, so I bought new tires, a tire sensor, balanced my tires, realigned, got a new battery and air filter, my cargo light wouldn't turn off so I had to replace that and my brake lights, got my brakes redone, replaced the radiator and the distributor, I got a new exhaust system, and took an indentation out of the bed

 

It would be easier to tell you what I haven't replaced..
When I initially took it in they told me that the last owner did something to make it so that the tires could fall off at any moment, so I bought new tires, a tire sensor, balanced my tires, realigned, got a new battery and air filter, my cargo light wouldn't turn off so I had to replace that and my brake lights, got my brakes redone, replaced the radiator and the distributor, I got a new exhaust system, and took an indentation out of the bed