20 Most Recent 1988 Dodge Dakota - Page 3 Questions & Answers

Since it's a 88 year model it doesn't have a separate coil over plug design as most cars today does. It using the conventional coil, distributor, cap, button, and wire ignition system. The first place to start is to remove the distributor cap. After you get it off turn it upside down and look inside it. You will see small metallic contacts inside I. Each contact represents and cylinder number. You can actually figure out which contact is #4 by tracing the plug wire from the plug back to the cap and see which contact on the top of the cap it is made a mark straight down to the bottom of the cap and straight back up inside the cap. See if the contact looks a lot different from the other contacts inside it. If not, check the rotor button. But since it's just one cylinder it's more than likely gonna be either, the dist cap, plug wire, or the spark plug itself. Of course there are other things it can be but one of them is most likely the culprit. To be perfectly honest with you. It's probably best to go to the parts store and get a set of good spark plug wires, set of spark plugs (Champion spark plugs I'll explain why shortly), dist cap, rotor button, pick up plate, and a small tube of die electric grease. The reason for using Champion plugs is because this is the exact spark plug that was engineered to go with this engine. If I'm not mistaken the plug number should be Champion RC12LYC. On the under side of the hood or on the radiator support there is a emissions, air conditioner, and displacement sticker. Look on it to see the exact plug if your not sure. Unless the truck has been wrecked and had those parts replaced. I worked in the R and D department for Diamlier Chrysler for several years. Hope it helps.

The valve on that 4 cylinder may need adjusted,

Do you mean the throttle position sensor ?

Which component are you lacking when the truck is hot ?Spark or fuel ?

Hi it looks like you rear main seal need to be changed. Hope it help

try changing the automatic choke located on the side of the throttle body, its the big black thing that pushes the throttle open. i had a 1988 dodge dakota sport that did the same thing, i changed that and it has been fine ever since.

Check around the area that the glove bx contact when you closed.There is a tiny switch there (spring load kind push in and out).-If you find it, push or press in by hands to see if it off or not.-If off.>>> You need to adjust the glove bx door to push in when it in closed position.-If it's not.>>> Replace the switch.Mai Lor

When the ignition is off, the computer will draw a very few milliamps of power for the keep alive memory, just like your clock and radio pre-sets. If the memory is lost as when battery is disconnected, the computer has to relearn certain functions related to the particular wear patterns of your engine and drivetrain-it has to relearn how to set optimum fuel requirements and ignition advance based on how your engine runs. The circuit for this keep alive memory is called Ignition Off Draw, or IOD. There should be a small fuse, 10 or 15 amp, in the circuit, probably in the under hood fuse block. See if your fuse is good for it.

Do you have a 90 degree bend scredriver? Straight, and Phillips head are available...

So what are you loosing when the engine dies ?Spark to the plugs ?Fuel to the injectors ?

Yes you can replace the tilt column with a straight standard column on an 88 Jeep Wranger, it is a simple bolt in swap. Make sure you don't pinch any of the wires while swapping and it cause a bunch of headaches. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------New ArrivalsEmergency power supply

is it digital or regular, if it is regular the float inside the tank may not be working

1988 Dodge Truck Dakota 2WD 2.2L 2BL 4cylThe Fuel Pump Relay is located:Under hood, driver side, rear engine area, above wheelwell, relay block mounted on fender.Your relay sends power to fuel pump,check with meter to see if power is going to fuel pump relay.