1999 Dodge Dakota

COLDBEER37

MEMBER
1999 DODGE DAKOTA
6 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
55,257 MILES

I have a 99 Dakota with relatively low mileage for year of make. My problem is when I go to start the vehicle it turns over as if the battery is dying. Once the truck starts the idle sometimes has to be feathered to be able to drive, such as neutral at stop signs and then dropping in to drive to keep going. The frustrating part is sometimes the idle is consistent and I can drive like normal. I know after the start the alternator runs the vehicle so what is causing the slow idol only occasionally? This only started happening in the last 2 days. I checked the battery cables and they appear tight and fine. I put a fuel injector cleaner in the tank and also sprayed carb cleaner in the intake as an attempt but nothing has improved. Any help is greatly appreciated.

3 Replies

BEEF99

MEMBER
152 POSTS

Could be a fuel pump going bad from sitting too much or the catalytic converter gone bad after sitting too long, or too much condensation buildup in the tank for the injector cleaner to handle, I would start at these places first and keep on looking at the simple things first such as ignition problems etc.

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Monday, July 13th, 2009 AT 10:56 AM

COLDBEER37

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Well just had the battery tested and it was only rated at 423 cca and should be 600. Am I correct in saying that this would not be the source of the dying idle or is that possible to fix my problem? Going to replace it today to see what happens since it apparently needs done anyway.

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Monday, July 13th, 2009 AT 11:09 AM

BEEF99

MEMBER
152 POSTS

Yes, this definetely could be your problem, usually on low mileage vehicles such problems are the simple ones. Having a vehicle sit for long periods of time unless started every week and ran for about fifteen minutes can actually be just as bad as a vehicle with tons of miles on it. I hope your battery is the quick fix for you and if not, please tell us more detail and we can go from there.

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Monday, July 13th, 2009 AT 1:15 PM