We NEED HELP

Asked by OwlBMe Feb 20, 2019 at 07:35 AM about the 1994 Dodge Dakota Club Cab RWD

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

My boyfriend owns a 94 dodge
dakota. Bought fairly cheap, used.
He hasnt had it long and it had slight
issues backfiring sense the purchase.
It idols fine usually but recently at
stops it lags and sometimes does die
in the intersection upon take off. So
the backfiring and dying has
increased but now new issues like the
headlights go dim and sometimes
completely gone but the truck is still
running by the time the headlights are
completely out but shortly after it
loses all juice. We've had the battery
checked at auto zone and they said
the battery was bad. But then my
boyfriends dad checked the battery
the same day, different tool and it
read as fine. Also the wipers sropped
suddenly while driving too and there
is an extra wire attached to the
battery cable but we havent had tome
to follow it to its connection.
We are at a loss for solutions. And
money is tight right now or we wpuld
put it in a shop.
Please help us.

1 Answer
21,865

Gary answered 5 years ago

Sounds like the battery is fine. Once the engine is running, the alternator should be charging the battery. If the lights are going dim while driving, you may have a bad alternator. Best way to check is with a volt meter. the battery should have about 12.0 - 12.4 volts with the engine stopped. Engine running and the voltage should go up to about 12.8 - 13.2 which would indicate the alternator is generating electric. The backfiring and dying is a separate issue. You probably need to start with a tune-up. Check the spark plugs and plug wires. Also have Auto Zone check the computer for engine codes in the computer. Unfortunately, back firing is usually a timing or valve problem. the back fire id unburned fuel in the exhaust system that explodes. You need to get this fixed soon or it can cause other problems like ruining the catalytic converter.

1 people found this helpful.
Mark helpful

Your Answer:

Related Questions

  • We NEED HELP 1 Answer

    My boyfriend owns a 94 dodge dakota. Bought fairly cheap, used. He hasnt had it long and it had slight issues backfiring sense the purchase. It idols fine usually but recently at stops it lags an...

    1994 Dodge Dakota Club Cab RWD

    -

    Maintenance & Repair

  • Need help 1 Answer

    My 97 Dodge sport V8 will start up in the morning or when it is cool and run find but if I shut it off it will not start back up does anybody know what I can do I change the crankshaft sensor and ...

    1997 Dodge Dakota Sport 4WD

    -

    Maintenance & Repair

  • Need help with Mystery power issue. 2 Answers

    I have a 2005 Dodge Dakota SLT, and when left overnight or for more than a few hours truck will be completely dead. It has a brand new battery and has been looked at by local auto shop and Dodge dea...

    2005 Dodge Dakota SLT Club Cab RWD

    -

    Maintenance & Repair

  • Need help with a plug in 1 Answer

    I just rebuilt a 2000 dodge dakota and I'm putting the finishing touches on it but I have no idea where this plug in goes and I've been looking for months and I tried going to the pick n pull but w...

    2000 Dodge Dakota Sport Club Cab 4WD

    -

    Maintenance & Repair

  • Need help figuring out what this part is? 1 Answer

    So I rebuilt a 2000 dodge dakota from somebody I bought it from already taken apart and got it for around 200 dollars pretty good price for how good the body was intact anyways so its all rebuilt ...

    2000 Dodge Dakota R/T Sport Club Cab RWD

    -

    Maintenance & Repair

Shortcuts

Search Dodge Dakota Questions

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    Samantha Brown
    Reputation
    3,150
  • #2
    98DAK
    Reputation
    3,110
  • #3
    havoc_33
    Reputation
    2,120
View All

Find great deals from top-rated dealers

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used Dodge RAM 1500
95 listings starting at $9,594
Used Toyota Tacoma
31 Great Deals out of 724 listings starting at $9,975
Used Ford Ranger
16 Great Deals out of 639 listings starting at $8,999
Used Ford F-150
346 Great Deals out of 13,355 listings starting at $3,000
Used Chevrolet S-10
2 listings
Used GMC Sierra 1500
154 Great Deals out of 8,348 listings starting at $5,975

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.