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4.7 Magnum
Dodge Dakota
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10/10/2007
17:53:38

Subject: Check Engine Light AGAIN!!!!
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I own a 2000 Dakota 4.7 Liter V-8 4X4 Automatic with overdrive. The check engine light came on and i checked the codes with the odometer and I got 8 different codes!!! They are all fuel injector malfunction codes:
P0201
P0202
P0203
P0204
P0205
P0206
P0207
P0208

I also have a problem with the transmission shifting back and forth from overdrive to 3rd and back to overdrive. Now, with the injector problems, since it is all of them, is their something that controls all the injectors that could be causing all the injectors to malfunction? I have already cleaned out the throttle body and used a can of Seafoam with a full tank of gas. If anyone could help me figure out the injector problems and the shifting problem, i would greatly appreciate it. Thanks!



DanK
Dodge Dakota
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10/10/2007
20:09:22

RE: Check Engine Light AGAIN!!!!
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+12VDC from the battery goes through the Automatic Shutdown Relay in the engine compartment fuse panel (labeled ASD) and feeds all 8 ignition coils and all 8 Injectors. The PCM orchestrates the application of a ground signal to the coils and the injectors so they will do their thing at the proper time.
There is a capacitor (paralleled to ground) in the circuit as well, most likely for transient suppression.

The procedure for P0201 thru 0208 in the FSM is for idiots. No injector resistance figure is given, so a resistance comparison is not part of Dodge training. The service "tech" is instead directed to energize the injector with a DRBIII scantool and check with a 12-volt probe. Well, I guess doing it that way, he won't get his hands dirty.
Sorry.

One thing you might try, though.

Note: Never unplug a PCM connector with the battery connected. Bad juju.

1. Disconnect the battery negative terminal.
2. turn the ignition key to start, and hold it for ten seconds or so to erase the codes in the PCM.
3. Unplug and reseat the PCM connectors. This renews the connections in case your problem is a dirty pin or something.
4. Reconnect the battery, and start 'er up and see if the codes come back.

Good luck.



4.7 Magnum
Dodge Dakota
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10/10/2007
20:21:26

RE: Check Engine Light AGAIN!!!!
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Thanks for telling me what to try but I am only a backyard mechanic with most of my experience on Pre computer controlled vehicles. LOL Where is the PCM located under the hood and is there only one plug on the PCM that i can unplug? Sorry but i am not very familiar with newer vehicles but since i have been on this forum, i have been learning quite a bit. Thanks!!



4.7 Magnum
Dodge Dakota
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10/10/2007
21:32:42

RE: Check Engine Light AGAIN!!!!
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Nevermind...I found the PCM and did what you told me to do. Started it up afterwards and it ran fine. Now i will have to wait and see if another code comes up within the next few days. All the codes are cleared now. Would this fix my shifting problem with it shifting in and out of overdrive all the time? Thanks for all of everyones help. I appreciate it!



DanK
Dodge Dakota
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10/10/2007
23:12:00

RE: Check Engine Light AGAIN!!!!
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The only way to tell if that also fixed the shifting problem is, of course, a road test.
Once you've had it out on the road, and driven the same way on the same roads where you previously experienced the suspect transmission behavior, let us know your experiences.

It's entirely possible that step 2 above has also reset the Transmission Control Module (TCM) back to baseline (like the day it was new). Maybe that's all it needed, maybe not.
If the TCM was reset, no harm was done, it just may take a few miles for it to relearn your driving style.

Keep us posted.



Bucket
GenII
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10/11/2007
09:45:21

RE: Check Engine Light AGAIN!!!!
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Good Job Dank !!!!!!Many props you know yer stuff !!



4.7 Magnum
Dodge Dakota
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10/11/2007
14:53:45

RE: Check Engine Light AGAIN!!!!
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Well, i drove it to work this morning and it did the same thing that it was doing before. It is 8.5 miles from my home to work. Now, after work, i drove it to a Hess Gas station and filled it with gas and then drove home and it shifted perfectly fine and no check engine light. Does anyone think that eventually this will happen again or does anyone think maybe my injectors need to be replaced? What sensor could be causing my transmission to be shifting in and out of overdrive? I also just bought 4 brand new BF Goodrich All-terrains for my truck. Anyone have any experience with those tires on their Dakota in the snow? They better be good cause i just paid $656.00 for them! Thanks for helping me out with my truck problems.



4.7 Magnum
Dodge Dakota
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10/11/2007
15:15:00

RE: Check Engine Light AGAIN!!!!
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Ok, here's one for ya. After i got gas, i must have forgotten to put the gas cap back on and drove all the way home with the gas cap off. Now, could that be why it ran so good on the way home? Just a thought.



Kowalski
GenIII
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10/11/2007
15:34:09

RE: Check Engine Light AGAIN!!!!
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Doubtful - and that should make it throw another code. The BF Goodrich are awesome in the snow, in the proper size. I plow with 9.50x30-15 on 7" rims, have pretty much the same truck as you. Wider sizes will float more; but that's what I've been plowing with for my last 3 trucks (since '87). TPS might be responsible for your shifting problems; I'd think likely unrelated to the fuel injector codes.

Lead, follow, or get out of the way

4.7 Magnum
Dodge Dakota
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10/11/2007
15:49:52

RE: Check Engine Light AGAIN!!!!
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No check engine light on the way home from work with the gas cap off. I put the gas cap back on now. My BFG's are 31x10.5x15. The tires that came with the truck were Goodyear Wrangler RT/S and they just didnt do it in the snow. It's good to know that the BFG's are good in the snow, and they just look great on my truck too.



Kowalski
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10/11/2007
16:41:42

RE: Check Engine Light AGAIN!!!!
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You'll see a huge difference - I had the exact same stock tires and only ran them in the warm months.

Lead, follow, or get out of the way

DanK
Dodge Dakota
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10/11/2007
19:46:32

RE: Check Engine Light AGAIN!!!!
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Thanks, Bucket.

More questions for 4.7 Magnum:
Was the transmission shifting issue present before you put on the new tires?
Are the tires you put on the same size as original?

When I switched from 31" tires to 32" tires, my transmission "hunted" for gears a bit more than normal. I noticed it right away, because I live in an area with lots of hills and inclines, and still have my stock rear end ratio of 3.55:1.
So I just turn OD off unless I'm on the freeway or going faster than about 50mph. That still gives me all but the highest gear, and the torque converter locks up like normal.




4.7 Magnum
Dodge Dakota
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10/12/2007
15:16:48

RE: Check Engine Light AGAIN!!!!
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Yes, the shifting issue was a problem before i put the new tires on my truck. The new tires are the same size as the old tires. (31x10.50x15). Since I disconnected the negative cable from the battery and pulled the plugs from the PCM, my truck hasnt been idling up and down, has been staying in overdrive and not shifting in and out all the time and has been idling steady at just a hair over 600RPM. No check engine light since Wednesday. Does anyone know where i can get a new winch thing for the spare tire under the rear of the truck? The place where i got the new tires from had to cut the cable that holds my spare up under the truck. They went to winch it down and the arm broke off because it was completely rusted through! I would suggest to anyone who hasnt checked to see if they can get their spare tire down from the rear of the truck to check it out BEFORE you have a flat. My spare would have been worthless if i needed it because of the fact it wouldn't have come down for me to use it. The place i got the tires from mounted a new tire on my spare as well. Now i have to carry it in the back of the truck!! Thanks to everyone who has helped me out. I will definetly be here frequently for any questions i might have about my truck!



4.7 Magnum
Dodge Dakota
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10/13/2007
23:33:59

RE: Check Engine Light AGAIN!!!!
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My truck has been perfectly fine all day today as well. I am just wondering now where I can get a new hoist setup for the spare tire under the rear of the truck? Had to have it cut off so i could get the spare tire off the truck. If anyone knows where i can get one, please let me know. Thanks!



DanK
Dodge Dakota
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10/14/2007
11:51:06

RE: Check Engine Light AGAIN!!!!
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That's good news.

As far as the spare tire carrier winch and other associated parts, see if you can find what you need in a local wrecking yard.

You can also get all the parts you need from Dodge, but it'll cost much more.



florida boy
Dodge Dakota
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10/20/2007
18:35:55

RE: Check Engine Light AGAIN!!!!
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I have a 02 dodge dakota quad cab 4.7 liter 5speed stick and 4wheel drive. I have gotten as good as 19.5 miles to the gallon. The engine light has been on for many reasons. Maybe some of my findings will help some of you.
Small vaccum leaks with the associated codes, Have been caused by Gas cap, the gas cap being loose, the pvc valve leaking through . the 1/4 in vacuume lines being replaced. I'm back to 19 miles per gallon. I recalibraated my speedometer because of taller tires. I was most destressed buy the problems that vacumme leaks have caused me. I recomend replacing the 1/4 in vacumme hoses at the first signe of trouble they are easy to change and cheep to replace, I hope this helps. PS vacumme leaks can also cause shifting problems.



maxx
Dodge Dakota
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10/21/2007
19:23:16

RE: Check Engine Light AGAIN!!!!
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I too am having some of the same problems. Engine light is on and it comes and goes. I am over the 100k mark on to odometer and it probably needs its check up. Can anyone tell me what this involves and what to expect to pay or should I try some of the remedies already discussed?



DanK
Dodge Dakota
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10/22/2007
19:07:25

RE: Check Engine Light AGAIN!!!!
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"...should I try some of the remedies already discussed?"

Depends, Maxx.
Go out to your truck and turn the ignition key:
ON-OFF-ON-OFF-ON (without starting the engine).
Tell us what codes are displayed on the odometer readout.
When the readout shows PDONE, that's the end of the list.

If the Check Engine Light is currently out, any codes displayed are in the computer's history, awaiting the proper number of drive cycles before they clear themselves.




maxx
Dodge Dakota
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10/22/2007
21:07:27

RE: Check Engine Light AGAIN!!!!
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only one code

P 0551

thanks for your help!



DanK
Dodge Dakota
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10/23/2007
00:27:19

RE: Check Engine Light AGAIN!!!!
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Here's out of my FSM:
---
P0551-POWER STEERING SWITCH PERFORMANCE

When Monitored: With the ignition key on and engine running.

Set Condition: With the vehicle above 40 mph for over 30 seconds, the power steering pressure switch remains open.
---

Been looking for the switch location in the FSM, but cannot find it. Not shown in power steering section, connector pinout diagrams or schematics. Only referenced as possible cause for code P0551.
Sorry.




maxx
Dodge Dakota
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10/23/2007
19:25:32

RE: Check Engine Light AGAIN!!!!
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thanks a heap. glad to know that it isn't too serious. but it still is getting a bit less mileage than before and the engine light goes on for a while and then off for a while??? and do have the intermitent changes in RPM's



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