Dodge Dakota:  Oil in Coolant Diagnosis

If you’ve recently checked your Dodge Dakota’s coolant, and it looks almost like it has butter in it, then you probably have oil in it.  Oil in your coolant is most often caused by a blown head gasket. It can also be caused by a cracked head or even a bad radiator (well sorta, you’d … Read more

Dodge Dakota:  Overheating → Symptoms + Causes

One of the worst problems that can happen to your Dodge Dakota is overheating.  Common symptoms of overheating include smoke coming from under the hood, a pegged temperature gauge, and (eventually) a blown head gasket. If your Dakota is overheating, stop driving it immediately to avoid damaging the engine. Ignoring an overheating engine can lead … Read more

Dodge Dakota: Window Won’t Go Up Diagnosis

Your Dodge Dakota’s windows protect you from the elements, and they protect the interior from damage.  If your window won’t go up, there are a few common issues that can cause this problem.  These include a blown fuse, bad window motor, wiring issues, and the switch.     Power Window Won’t Go Up Causes:  Dodge Dakota … Read more

Dodge Dakota:  Brake Fluid Leak Causes & Diagnosis

  Your Dodge Dakota’s brake system is the most important safety feature on the vehicle.  Without a reliable braking system, it is dangerous to keep driving your Dakota.  A brake fluid leak is a serious problem.  It is usually caused by a failure of a seal, brake line, master cylinder reservoir, and a few other … Read more

Dodge Dakota Bad Throttle Body: Symptoms + Diagnosis

If your Dodge Dakota has a faulty throttle body, it can cause it to run terribly.  Common symptoms of a bad throttle body include dirt and grime, the check engine light, and an erratic idle. Your Dakota’s throttle body controls the amount of air that enters the engine.  You control the throttle body position with … Read more

Dodge Dakota: Bad Thermostat → Symptoms & Diagnosis

The thermostat in your Dodge Dakota’s engine plays a crucial role in regulating its temperature. A malfunctioning thermostat may lead to various issues and should be dealt with immediately. Some of the most common symptoms of a bad thermostat are no heat, a spiked temp gauge, a blown head gasket, and more. A thermostat failure … Read more

Dodge Dakota:  Bad Serpentine Belt

One of the most common issues with a vehicle is a bad serpentine belt.  If you suspect that your Dodge Dakota has this problem, we’ll give you the common symptoms below, as well as how to replace it. The good news is that serpentine belts are cheap, and in the grand scheme of things, relatively … Read more

Dodge Dakota: Uneven Tire Wear → Causes

  Uneven tire wear can happen at any time in the life of a vehicle.  If your Dodge Dakota is experiencing this situation, taking corrective action when you first notice it is important.  Otherwise, you may end up needing a new set of tires.   Dodge Dakota Uneven Tire Wear Causes There are a few … Read more

Dodge Dakota Low Transmission Fluid: Symptoms and Diagnosis

There are several symptoms to watch for that suggest your Dakota might have low transmission fluid. Some of these signs include irregular shifting, inability to shift, dashboard warning lights, slipping transmission, and strange noises coming from under the hood. If you suspect that your Dakota has low transmission fluid, the first thing you should do … Read more

Dodge Dakota:  Engine Knock → Causes & Diagnosis

One of the most disconcerting sounds that you can hear coming from your Dodge Dakota is the engine knocking.  An engine knock can be a sign of major engine problems.  It is usually caused by, ignition issues, timing issues, worn lower engine parts, and more.  We’ll cover the most common causes below. By definition, an … Read more