2005 3.7L power problem
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2005 3.7L power problem
We have a 2005 Dakota SLT and have owned it since 2008. It's been a good truck. But in 2021 things started going bad, and after spending time at four different repair garages (including a Dodge dealer) over the last year, but we still don't have a properly functioning truck. So here's our story, maybe someone has had a similar experience.
The problem that we have (and have had) has to do with a lack of power between 2000 rpm and 2500 rpm, particularly after the truck is warmed up. If you need to accelerate hard, like trying to enter a freeway, or leaving a traffic light, it doesn't go. And if you're trying to climb a short hill, she makes it, but the cars stuck behind you are very unhappy! You literally have to floor the accelerator and over-rev the engine to 4000-5000 rpms to make it go. It will get up to highway speeds if you feather the accelerator, but it is annoying. Presently, there hasn't been any trouble codes since the last ECM/PCM replacement (60 days ago). The list of what's been replaced is extensive. Remanufactured transmission (5/2021), remanufactured engine, long block, (9/2021) and replaced 2nd time under warranty 90 days later, ECM/PCM three times, O2 sensors, fuel pump, catalytic converter, muffler and resonator have been by-passed, intake manifold and injectors haven't been replaced but supposedly check out OK. That's the quick list.
In fairness to the truck, the transmission replacement was not due to this acceleration problem. The tranny just died. And in fact, the first long block replacement was not due to the acceleration problem, but it had been using oil crazy, like four quarts over 3 months for a few years. But as our "second car", we thought that pretty excessive so we had the engine replaced rather than pursue main seals or whatever. This acceleration problem didn't really fully manifest itself until after the first engine replacement. It's been game on ever since.
We would love to operate this 2005 another 15 years, but after approximately $16K in repairs, it might be time to move on. I will be happy to provide additional info, if someone can think of something that the other mechanics haven't considered or tried. Thank you and God bless.
The problem that we have (and have had) has to do with a lack of power between 2000 rpm and 2500 rpm, particularly after the truck is warmed up. If you need to accelerate hard, like trying to enter a freeway, or leaving a traffic light, it doesn't go. And if you're trying to climb a short hill, she makes it, but the cars stuck behind you are very unhappy! You literally have to floor the accelerator and over-rev the engine to 4000-5000 rpms to make it go. It will get up to highway speeds if you feather the accelerator, but it is annoying. Presently, there hasn't been any trouble codes since the last ECM/PCM replacement (60 days ago). The list of what's been replaced is extensive. Remanufactured transmission (5/2021), remanufactured engine, long block, (9/2021) and replaced 2nd time under warranty 90 days later, ECM/PCM three times, O2 sensors, fuel pump, catalytic converter, muffler and resonator have been by-passed, intake manifold and injectors haven't been replaced but supposedly check out OK. That's the quick list.
In fairness to the truck, the transmission replacement was not due to this acceleration problem. The tranny just died. And in fact, the first long block replacement was not due to the acceleration problem, but it had been using oil crazy, like four quarts over 3 months for a few years. But as our "second car", we thought that pretty excessive so we had the engine replaced rather than pursue main seals or whatever. This acceleration problem didn't really fully manifest itself until after the first engine replacement. It's been game on ever since.
We would love to operate this 2005 another 15 years, but after approximately $16K in repairs, it might be time to move on. I will be happy to provide additional info, if someone can think of something that the other mechanics haven't considered or tried. Thank you and God bless.