1994 Dodge Dakota Engine stalls

WESGRIFFIN

MEMBER
1994 DODGE DAKOTA
6 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
125,000 MILES

I bought the truck used several years ago, it was in rough shape. Engine runs good but has a rough idle. Over the years I have tuned the engine, replaced injectors, fuel pump, and various sensors that I found bad. I have checked and repaired a few vacuum leaks. I replaced the transmission about 100 miles ago, everything went OK.

Recently, the engine started stalling when I stopped the vehicle. I noticed the tachometer would drop below 500 RPM when off throttle at low speed. I swapped in a used engine controller I picked up some time ago, no change in stalling. I disconnected the engine air temp sensor and it runs OK in open loop. Once the engine is warm and in closed loop operation, it stalls when decelerating or stopping. I have been checking sensors with a multimeter as best as possible. I changed the IAC about a year ago and the EGR about two years ago. I occasionally drive the truck, usually on weekends and want to keep it as a reliable back up vehicle.

Any suggestions on items to recheck or potentially replace?

2 Replies

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,916 POSTS

Hi WesGriffin. Welcome to the forum. You can change stuff forever but I suspect what you have is a result of disconnecting the battery during the transmission work. For sure when you replaced the computer, it has to relearn "minimum throttle" before it will know when it must be in charge of idle speed. To meet the conditions required for that to occur, drive at highway speed with the engine warmed up, then coast for at least seven seconds without touching the brake or gas pedals. The computer wants to see high manifold vacuum so it knows you're coasting with your foot off the gas. You can get high vacuum from snapping the throttle but not for seven seconds. That's where driving it comes in.

Caradiodoc