1997 Dodge Dakota Power issues

BRUNN77

MEMBER
1997 DODGE DAKOTA
6 CYL
4WD
MANUAL
125,501 MILES

A couple weeks ago, my Dakota started to idle at 2000 RPM. I waited 3 days to take it into a shop and it was idling at normal speed. I took it in anyway thinking they may be able to figure out why it did that. No such luck. I took it home and the next day it made a hissing noise when I started it up. (It has done this at every start since). It seems like I am getting too many RPM in the lower gears, but no more than 2500 rpms in the higher gears. I have no power getting up hills at 60 MPH, in fact, I slow down. I have to down shift to even get up to hwy speed and the rpm's shoot to 4000 which is not normal in that truck. What could cause this and how can I fix it?

5 Replies

RACEFAN966

MECHANIC
5,029 POSTS

OK a few qrestions first so I can try to help and get you in the right direction first ok. Does this happen only when it is hot or all the time? Do you smell any gas or like a roten egg smell? If you pull over and look under the truck is the cat converter red hot? How hot does the temp guage say the truck is? It don't feel like the clutch is slipping does it? Get back to me with what you can and we will take it from there.

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Thursday, February 5th, 2009 AT 10:29 AM

BRUNN77

MEMBER
2 POSTS

This happens all the time. No smell of rotten egg or gas. I have not looked at the cat converter, so I can't answer that truthfully. The temp gauge looks to stay in normal range. Clutch seems fine too. Thanks.

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Thursday, February 5th, 2009 AT 11:49 AM

RACEFAN966

MECHANIC
5,029 POSTS

Ok do you have a digital multi meter so we can run some tests on some sensors to see if any of them are not reading right? Let me know and we will test the TPS first. How is the fuel pressure? You may want to check it to see what it is at so we can rule out a fuel pump as Dodge is known for not using fuel filters.

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Friday, February 6th, 2009 AT 10:26 AM

BRUNN77

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Unfortunately, I do not have a digital multi meter. I don't think it is the feul pump because all of this started after it started idling at 2000 rpm. What would cause my truck to idle at 2000 rpm? Anything you can tell me would be helpful. Whether it is one reason or six. Thank you for you time.

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Friday, February 6th, 2009 AT 2:05 PM

RACEFAN966

MECHANIC
5,029 POSTS

Have you check the PCV system and all the vacuum lines and intake for any vacuum leaks? If not start there as a vacuum leak will cause a high idle as injection will adjust.