Advice on Dodge Dakota

[GreyhoundGuy]

My wife has a 2003 Dodge Dakota. We drive our 4R pretty much everywhere we go, so her Dakota is basically a commuter truck (unless we need to haul soil, a fridge, etc.).

This morning, she said it started up really rough, she's got no A/C, and the fuel gauge isn't working. Her distance-to-empty readout is still working, so she knows she's got fuel.

Any ideas what could trigger all three, or do we likely have three separate issues that are all happening at the same time?

-Joel

 

[jwyshrek]

any chance a critter decided to make a home inside your home and chewed some of the wiring???

 

[GreyhoundGuy]

any chance a critter decided to make a home inside your home and chewed some of the wiring???

Good thought. I just went to the garage and checked around... can't find anything that would hint that we have mice/rats/whatever. I don't see any droppings, shavings, anything. Not to say that I didn't miss anything.

We've got a great mechanic that is pretty close to her work. She's going to take it in over her lunch and see if they can figure anything out.

-Joel

 

[bofa]

Bad serpentine belt? :shrug:

 

[cdthiker]

The fact that it is a dodge?

only sorta kidding....
either way, let us know what is is, sure to help some one else further along down the road.
cheers

 

[MtnT4R]

+1 haha

I had a 98 dakota; had almost the same thing happen around 145k, it turned out to be a bad AC compressor that eventually fried the serpentine belt. Sounds likely to me. Pray its not a bad compressor cuz those are about $1500 installed.

speaking from my own hindsight perspective: rig a fix -> immediately trade for older model tacoma :thumb3:

 

[RunninInGA]

We just got rid of a 1999 with the 318 v-8. That truck passed everything except the gas station.

I'm guessing a battery or alternator going out. Could be the serpentine belt - that 318 ate 3 belts in its last 4 years of service.

Which engine are you running?

 

[GreyhoundGuy]

Turns out the fuel gauge is working correctly. So that's no longer an issue.

We're dropping it off at our mechanic tomorrow morning. We had A/C work done (I think) last summer, so if it's anything dealing with the A/C system, I'm hoping they'll cover it. Otherwise, I'll have them checking the belts and such. Hopefully it's an easy fix.

By the way, we drove it this morning and it started up nice and easy. Ran well, too... just no A/C.

-Joel

 

[RunninInGA]

Stating the obvious hoping its this easy, but have you checked the ac and blower motor fuses?

Doesn't sound like fuel gauge was an issue, so I rescind my thoughts on the battery and belts.

 

[ddnww]

dodge makes a good truck.. imo... but my guess would be electrical issue.

 

[westwind77]

Had a 99' Durango, lost AC, bad compressor. Dodge designed it so the entire dash has to be removed to access it, b@stArds! Over 1k, but in FL it was not a choice back then. Obviously check the simple things 1st though.