Your Dodge Dakota’s water pump is one of the most crucial parts of the engine. If it doesn’t pump water through the engine, it’s going to overheat and do a lot of damage. Typical signs of a bad water pump include overheating, white smoke, a bad smell, rough idle, and more. A water pump works … Read more
If your Dodge Dakota is running hot, it is a serious problem. If it gets too hot, it leads to overheating. A hot engine is usually caused by a few different things, such as the thermostat, water pump, radiator, or outside conditions. Dodge Dakota Running Hot Symptoms Obviously, the main symptom of running … Read more
A rod knock is a very serious problem. If your Dodge Dakota has a knocking rod, it’s almost always going to be caused by a failure of the rod bearing or the rod caps (leading to a spun bearing) or lack of oil. If you do have a rod knock, don’t ignore it for … Read more
Your Dodge Dakota’s torque converter is responsible for converting the energy generated by the engine at the flywheel and transferring it to the transmission, creating a bridge between the engine and the transmission. In the Dodge Dakota, a bad torque converter is often caused by bad transmission fluid, worn clutches, bad seals, or loose … Read more
If your Dodge Dakota’s battery light is on, it is trying to warn you that there is an issue with the charging system. The charging system itself is relatively simple. The battery light comes on because the voltage level at the battery is too low. Quick Facts Common Causes Faulty Battery, Bad Alternator, Battery Cables, … Read more
One of the most common problems that can happen with a vehicle over time is it’ll begin leaking power steering fluid. Without the power steering system, your Dakota would be very difficult to drive. Most of the weight of the vehicle is absorbed by the power steering system, making it feel much lighter than it really … Read more
A burning smell is one of the most troublesome problems you can experience in a vehicle. If your Dodge Dakota has a burning smell, there are many potential causes. Typically, the smell is caused by some type of fluid (oil, trans fluid, etc…) hitting the exhaust or other hot parts of the engine or … Read more
The engine burning oil is one of the most common problems that a vehicle can encounter, particularly one with high mileage. If your Dodge Dakota is burning oil it is typically caused by piston rings or valve guides. How Much Oil Consumption is Normal? Most auto manufacturers are hesitant to tell you … Read more
P0463 is a moderately common OBDII trouble code that can occur in your Dodge Dakota. It indicates that the vehicles computer has detected an inaccurate fuel level reading. It shouldn’t affect the drivability of your Dakota, but it can be inconvenient. Your Dakota will get the P0463 code when the signal coming from the … Read more
One of the more jarring vehicle problems that you can experience is a backfire. It sounds like a shotgun blast and can scare you if you’re not prepared for it. If your Dodge Dakota is backfiring, common causes include improper engine timing, bad spark plugs, engine running rich, and plug wires (if so equipped). … Read more