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2003 Dodge P/U 3.9 engine trouble
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Vamo
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Aug 16, 2012, 2:12 PM
Post #1 of 17
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2003 Dodge P/U 3.9 engine trouble
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We have an issue with an '03 Dodge Dakota p/u with 3.9 V6 that is driving us nuts. Occasionally it hesitates, stumbles, sputters, no power etc moving away from a stop. Then it will smooth out and go right back to normal. Doesn't matter hot or cold engine. Engine has been tuned up ie cap, rotor, plugs, wires, p/u coil. Has had o2 sensor, crank sensor, idle control, MAP sensor, and fuel pump/filter all replaced and still same thing. When the symptoms arise the check engine light comes on. Occasionally the check engine light comes on without the symptoms then at some point goes back off again. Thus far, no fault codes have been found when scanning which of course makes finding the cause all the more puzzling. The engine has had compression checked and it is good as well. Feel like we are grasping at styraws at this point. Just putting this out to see if some sharpies might think of something we may be missing as at this point I am wondering if we are looking in the wrong direction from the get go. Thanks.
(This post was edited by Vamo on Aug 16, 2012, 3:20 PM)
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Vamo
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Aug 16, 2012, 3:19 PM
Post #3 of 17
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Re: 2003 Dodge P/U 3.9 engine trouble
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I need to edit that out. I was trying to explain something and left half of what I said out of the sentence.
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Aug 16, 2012, 3:43 PM
Post #4 of 17
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Re: 2003 Dodge P/U 3.9 engine trouble
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Without any codes to guide you, it's jusr going to require some diagnostics by an experienced tech that knows what to look for. You're probably going to need a high end scan tool with mode 6 data to look at actual misfire counts and all the raw sensor data.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Vamo
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Aug 16, 2012, 3:50 PM
Post #5 of 17
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Re: 2003 Dodge P/U 3.9 engine trouble
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Scans have been run on it but they never find anything. My buddy's had it to 3 different shops who finally just started hanging parts on it, so not sure what to do at this point. He's so fed up with it he's nearly ready to buy a new truck but doesn't want another monthly payment to deal with so that's why he's trying to figure this thing out. The only other component I myself am wondering about and have not thought to ask him is if the TPS was replaced. Not sure what sort of setup a Dodge 3.9 has so I don't know if that is even a part of the equation. You mention misfire counts and raw sensor data, wouldn't those things be something that previous scans at these shops should have noticed?
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Vamo
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Aug 16, 2012, 3:53 PM
Post #6 of 17
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Re: 2003 Dodge P/U 3.9 engine trouble
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I just spoke to my buddy on the phone and he gave me these details. When they scanned it, it noted that cylinders 1 and 3 were not firing during hesitation incidents. So they in fact did catch that in their scans but obviously whatever they replaced/repaired didn't do the trick because it's still doing it. It is just something that apparently only happens occasionally but is very noticeable when it does happen.
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Aug 16, 2012, 4:18 PM
Post #7 of 17
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Re: 2003 Dodge P/U 3.9 engine trouble
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You're just not bring it to the right shop. There are lots of things they can look at and test. 1 and 3 are adjoining cylinders so that opens up more possibilities. The right tech can find the problem if it occurs consistently.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Vamo
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Aug 16, 2012, 4:37 PM
Post #8 of 17
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Re: 2003 Dodge P/U 3.9 engine trouble
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I agree with you there. I advised him to let me try and find some info online before he took it anywhere else. Wanting to try and get some insight into likely cause so he can have at least some idea ahead of time. It is an intermittent issue with no real rythm to when it happens next. To refresh, it also happens whether the motor is hot or cold, makes no difference. Valve train has been checked out, no broken springs etc. Engine light will come on and stay on for anywhere from 1 to 4 days then go back out and it will come on even at times when issue is not even taking place(at least noticeably) Honestly, I have told him if it only does in occasionally but truck runs well otherwise and no one seems to be able to find it, then don't worry about it lol. But he's pretty determined to get this problem fixed and thus here I am on here trying to help him out. He's an older guy and doesn't use the internet so I'm doing it for him. I am also going to go with him to whoever he takes it to next so I wanted to try and arm myself with as much info as I could.
(This post was edited by Vamo on Aug 16, 2012, 4:39 PM)
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Vamo
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Aug 16, 2012, 4:57 PM
Post #10 of 17
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Re: 2003 Dodge P/U 3.9 engine trouble
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Whatever codes they apparently found they repaired or replaced the associated part(list I already mentioned) but it is still doing the same thing. I called him trying to get more info as to the specifics of what the shops he took it to found and all he tells me is the shop who did most detailed check showed cylinders 1 and 3 misfiring. What that particular shop actually repaired or what part(s) they may have replaced I do not know. I'm trying not to get too tied up in the details of what others did but rather start from scratch in explaining what vehicle is doing. Yes, it needs to be scanned in the way you mentioned earlier but surely we can surmise a few possibilities.
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nickwarner
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Aug 16, 2012, 6:37 PM
Post #11 of 17
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Re: 2003 Dodge P/U 3.9 engine trouble
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This thing has been passed around by more guys than my ex wife. Nobody seems to have half a clue what is going on and are throwing parts at it left and right. Your engine light comes on and it IS storing some very valuable data that for a vehicle this age is the starting point to diagnostics, not a side issue. We need the exact code numbers in their entirety to begin to make logical conclusions as to where the tests need to lead.
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Vamo
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Aug 16, 2012, 6:55 PM
Post #12 of 17
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Re: 2003 Dodge P/U 3.9 engine trouble
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Okay, understood. He's going to have to get it scanned and note the exact codes they get. As I say, he is an older guy and asking him to remember that won't work. I'll need to get him to write it down.
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Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky
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Aug 16, 2012, 6:57 PM
Post #13 of 17
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Re: 2003 Dodge P/U 3.9 engine trouble
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Show us your tax returns!....sorry I mean codes. Been reading too much news lately.
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
(This post was edited by Discretesignals on Aug 16, 2012, 6:58 PM)
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Vamo
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Aug 16, 2012, 7:00 PM
Post #14 of 17
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Re: 2003 Dodge P/U 3.9 engine trouble
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Ha! Ya, will do.
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Vamo
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Aug 17, 2012, 7:21 AM
Post #15 of 17
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Re: 2003 Dodge P/U 3.9 engine trouble
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Okay I found out at least one of the codes they got - P03 03
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nickwarner
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Aug 17, 2012, 4:23 PM
Post #16 of 17
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Re: 2003 Dodge P/U 3.9 engine trouble
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Thats a misfire on cylinder 3
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Vamo
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Aug 17, 2012, 4:26 PM
Post #17 of 17
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Re: 2003 Dodge P/U 3.9 engine trouble
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Yes so I am told today. Crank sensor issue and if not sensor then wires that go to it. The c.s. has already been replaced weeks ago but the problem persisted. Supposedly a fairly common thing when experiencing intermittent cylinder misfiring. I think I've done about all I can to find out some info for this guy and I appreciate the help from everybody who's responded.
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