Stutters then stalls when put in reverse

JABRONI1

MEMBER
2003 DODGE DAKOTA
3.9L
V6
2WD
AUTOMATIC
127,000 MILES

Runs and drives fine. When put in reverse rpm's drop to around 300, stutters then stalls. If I use both feet, one on brake and other on throttle. I can manage to back up. Possible problems?

Thursday, January 9th, 2020 AT 6:52 PM

5 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,758 POSTS

Hi,

Does this only happen in reverse or in drive as well? Often times, a stall at idle is related to either an engine vacuum leak or the idle air control valve (IAC). The IAC is responsible for maintaining idle speed. Take a look through these links and see if they help:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/stall-at-idle

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-an-engine-vacuum-gauge

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/idle-air-control-valve-service

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-an-idle-speed-control-motor-iac

_________________________

Please understand, these are educated guesses at this point. I did attache a link above explaining how to check for a vacuum leak. The vacuum hose design used on these vehicles commonly get brittle from heat and end up cracking and breaking. That results in a vacuum leak.

Let me know if this helps. Also, if the check engine light stays on when the engine is running, I recommend having the computer scanned for diagnostic trouble codes. That will point us in the right direction. Most parts stores will scan it for free.

Let me know.

Joe

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Thursday, January 9th, 2020 AT 8:04 PM

JABRONI1

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3 POSTS

Runs and drives fine! It only happens when put in reverse.

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Friday, January 10th, 2020 AT 8:39 AM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,758 POSTS

Hi,

Since it only happens in reverse, it could be related to the idle air control valve (IAC). Tell me, are the reverse lights working? Have you had the system scanned to see if there are any diagnostic trouble codes stored? That circuit is what indicated the vehicle is in reverse and allows the power-train control module to increase idle speed via the IAC.

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Friday, January 10th, 2020 AT 3:49 PM

JABRONI1

MEMBER
3 POSTS

I pulled codes off the dash and there were no codes. Reverse lights work. The transmission goes into reverse. Using left foot on brake and right revving gas I can move in reverse. But it wants to stall. Someone said it could be the position selector sensor. Someone said that the radiator could need to be replaced if the fluid isn’t circulating enough and not putting enough pressure in transmission? But it runs and shifts fine in drive. One told me the Transmission Control Module could be bad? The problem is I don’t know much about transmissions. But if it’s something external I can change, I’ll give it a try. I think and hope it’s something simple that’s just being overlooked. I’m on a fixed income and try to do things myself.

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Friday, January 10th, 2020 AT 6:31 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,758 POSTS

Hi,

The idea that it could be the TCM or a pressure issue seems a bit off just because it only happens in reverse. No to the radiator. The radiator does function as a cooler, but the fluid flows in the same directions regardless of gear selection, so to suspect it's plugged doesn't make sense.

Okay, can you tell me this. If you slightly raise the engine RPM's and place it in reverse, does the engine stall?

The power-train control module on this vehicle actuates the idle air control valve. If the IAC isn't getting a signal, the engine speed won't increase when placed in reverse and allow it to stall with the added load.

Joe