Recently had to diagnose a '98 1500 bucking and shaking, particularly when "lugging it" in OD. Lots of threads on this i realize. Generally these symptoms when lugging it are a misfire.

At first wasn't getting any codes at all. I knew plugs were due anyway so first I pulled all the plugs to inspect. They actually all looked great but of course I just went ahead and replaced, no sense putting old plugs back in..

Symptoms persisted and was finally able to drive it enough we got a PENDING code for a misfire on #3. At least this provided a place to focus so tested #3 plug wire and no continuity at all. Swapped on a different plug wire on #3 just to confirm and sure enough problem resolved.

So I guess the moral is keep driving and checking those pending codes. Of course no CEL was yet tripped as it was pending.

I tried to find Onboard Monitoring/Mode 6 data on this '98 using my Autel 808 but it didn't seem to exist (comes up on my Fords). If I coulda found actual misfire counts I wouldn't be at the mercy of waiting for a pending code.

I didn't find this exact tech in my searches (I very well may have just never clicked on the right search result), so hoping it helps someone. Don't rule out plug wires and keep checking pending codes. Wires should be about 12k ohms resistance, but we had NOTHING on #3 with no visible damage to wire or connectors.

 

Autel can't read Dodge misfires. Only 3 scanner brands can. That's Snap-On, OEM, and finally OTC

 

Thank you, now I know! Do you have a specific reco of a model that's not crazy expensive? I service several of these 2nd Gens so would be nice to be able to see misfire counts by cylinder

 

Cheapest one would be a Snap On MT2500

 

Which is good for vehicles up to 2006, I think.... (if you have the right cartridges/keys.)

 

I believe that to be correct. Haven't used one since I started using OEM DRBlll and the Chrysler Wifi tool

 

The Snappy brick? Wow I think I actually have one of those but not sure I have the appropriate cartridge. Thanks!

 

Well would ya look at that....maybe the access to those misfires was buried under my bench in a pile of creosote and abrasive dust all this time....

 

Talk about good timing.

 

Well, the brick powers on with the OBD2 port (and appropriate Snap On adapter of course) but after entering vehicle details it just says no communication with vehicle even with key on. Tried several times

So.....not sure what to do with that.