2001 Dakota 3.9 running slightly rough??? Help!

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RH - 29 Mar 2006 06:12 GMT

I'm not up on working on cars much but i just got a 01 Dakota with the 3.9.
It takes usually 2 turns of the key to start,runs just slightly rough liker
i can feel a slight shake when stopped at a light,like the old distributor
engines used to give when a little out of time. I was backing it up moving
my boat yesterday and it idled a little low and stalled.

To me I would think the fuel injectors are clogged or the plugs need
changed.Would either of these things help what I described above? Its got
55k miles on it.Thanks!

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Gunner - 29 Mar 2006 13:40 GMT

Sounds more to me like a dirty fuel or air filter. Broken vacuum lines
generally will turn on your "check engine" light. It never hurts to change
the plugs. While you're at it; run the truck in the dark and look for arcing
from the plug wires and make sure they're on tight. You might want to check
for carbon build up or a crack in the distributor cap.
Good luck
Joe

> I'm not up on working on cars much but i just got a 01 Dakota with the
> 3.9.
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
> changed.Would either of these things help what I described above? Its got
> 55k miles on it.Thanks!

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RH - 30 Mar 2006 07:11 GMT

I dont think the 3.9 has a distributor does it? I looked and all the wires
seem to go to individual ignition coils.
The fuel filter might be a good idea though,i will take a look at it. I am
thinking fuel related.

> Sounds more to me like a dirty fuel or air filter. Broken vacuum lines
> generally will turn on your "check engine" light. It never hurts to change
[quoted text clipped - 17 lines]
>> changed.Would either of these things help what I described above? Its got
>> 55k miles on it.Thanks!

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Scott S. - 30 Mar 2006 19:53 GMT

No it don't have one. We have a pickup that is placed on the right side just
behind the head on the bellhousing. This is your pickup for crank position
for firing the plugs. Myself I had to change mine a year ago on my 2001
dakota. Stumbled, misfiring down the highway, scare the sh*t out me..lol,
They do fail.. but I got a code for the pickup problem. You have no
statement of any codes is this correct. you should see if you can do a
reading of the fuel rail for proper pressure. Like you said could be filter
or pump.
Or a long shot it could be the throttle body.. The air-bypass bleeder on it
could be sticking or dirty, That controls the idle circuit.

SCOTT

Mound Road Engine (gone but not forgotten)
Detroit MI.

>I dont think the 3.9 has a distributor does it? I looked and all the wires
>seem to go to individual ignition coils.
[quoted text clipped - 23 lines]
>>> got
>>> 55k miles on it.Thanks!

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