1997 Dodge Dakota Warm engine but problems when weather col

1997 DODGE DAKOTA
149,000 MILES • 6 CYL • 4WD • MANUAL
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NENISI
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I have a 1997 Dodge Dakota Sport, V6, 4X4. When the outside temp falls below 32 degrees I have a problem. Engine starts fine. After 10 or 15 minutes of driving I sometimes cannot go uphill over 15 miles an hour. Downhill is worse, I leave off the gas, the RPM's fluctuate by as much as 1000, it the backfires. I have replaced the cam sensor and the air temp. sensor. If the check engine light comes on, it signifies the cam sensor. HELP!! I'm at my witts end! Do you think it could be the crank sensor or possibly the temp. sensor?
Dec 10, 2008 at 9:15 AM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Hi:
It could be many things from a crank sensor, map sensor, plugged cat conv... Does the problem go away after you drive for awhile?

Joe
Dec 13, 2008 at 6:07 AM
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NENISI
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yes it does go away after I drive for a while. I'm almost positive the previous owner knocked the inside of the cat conv out, so it couldn't be blocked.
Dec 15, 2008 at 1:06 PM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 110,246 POSTS
Yes, it could be either the crank sensor, but since it keeps coming up cam sensor, maybe you got a bad one. I would return the one you got and have them replace it. See what happens.

Let me know.

Joe
Dec 16, 2008 at 7:03 AM
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NENISI
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I'll give it a shot...thank you for the advice!
Dec 16, 2008 at 10:52 AM
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