I just purchased a 2000 B1500 with the 3.9L. It has about 150,000 miles on it. It is in quite good condition except for the check engine light being on. The helpful guys at autozone read the code for me and they told me that the #3 cylinder was misfiring. This Van has been corporate owned and has always had regular maintenance. The Van has a rough idle...but as soon as you accelerate away it feels like it runs smooth.

I have a friend who is a Dodge dealership mechanic. He said by the way the Van turned over before it started it was probably a bad valve causing the rough idle/check engine light.

It has had a complete tune-up about a year ago. (I bought it last week)

Any other ideas for things to check before I pull the head?

thanks

 

Pull the #3 plug. Is it wet? Is it carbon-fouled? Does it have oil deposits on it?

 

Standing in front of the van which would be a the #3 cylinder so I can check?

thanks

 

Middle cylinder, driver's side.

(back of engine)
6 5
4 3
2 1
(front of engine)

 

Interesting...I traced the problem to the spark plug. Check engine light is out! Woot!!

Now....

I'll be driving it and the motor will just shut off. If I try to restart it a few times it will run again....it has done this to me 3-4X's.

Does this sound like the dreaded crank position sensor problem? ECU problem?

Thanks again to all for the help the first time around!

/NINJA EDIT/

Radio and electrical items stay on...when the Van dies.