20 Most Recent 1988 Dodge Dakota - Page 8 Questions & Answers

Check brake pedal height, and see if pulling up on the pedal gets rid of the brake lights staying on.

Maybe the lines have to be bled to get rid of air in the brake lines.

Or, the rear brakes should be adjusted tighter.

If this is not the problem, maybe adjusting the brake light switch will help.

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ADJUSTMENT Dakota Models

1. Push and hold the brake pedal in the applied position.
2. Push the switch forward until fully seated against the bracket.
3. Release the brake pedal.
4. Lightly pull the brake pedal rearward until the master cylinder pushrod bottoms against its internal stop. The switch plunger is now set at its proper clearance.

1989-93 Pick-Up and Ramcharger Models WITHOUT SPEED CONTROL

1. Loosen the switch-to-pedal bracket screw and slide the switch away from the pedal arm.
2. Push the pedal down by hand and allow it to return on its own to the free-hanging position. Do not pull it back! Fig. 1: Brake light switch adjustment specifications - 1989-93 models
   
   
3. Slide the switch towards the pedal until there is a gap of 0.140 in. (3.5mm) between the plunger and pedal arm. NOTE: The pedal must not move when measuring the gap.
   
4. Tighten the switch screw to 82 inch lbs. (9 Nm). Recheck the gap.

WITH SPEED CONTROL

1. Push the switch through the clip in the mounting bracket until it is seated against the bracket. The pedal will move forward slightly.
2. Gently pull back on the pedal as far as it will go. The switch will ratchet backwards to the correct position.

1994-96 Pick-Up Models This procedure calls for setting the switch prior to installation. Installation directions are included in this one procedure.

1. Preset the switch in the following manner:
   1. Pull the switch plunger all the way out until it is fully extended.
   2. Push the switch plunger inward 4 detent positions (clicks). This will provide the preset position for the switch installation. The plunger will extend approximately 0.55 in. (14mm) out of the housing at this setting.
2. Connect the harness wires to the switch.
3. Press and hold down the brake pedal.
4. Install the switch. Align the tab with the notch, then insert the switch and turn clockwise about 30°to lock it in place. WARNING
   Do not use excessive force when setting the brake pedal switch or damage to the switch could result.
   
5. Release the brake pedal, then LIGHTLY pull the pedal fully rearward. The pedal will set the switch to the correct depth.

Call around to junkyards, this window is most likely the same on many chrysler company vehicle models and years. Also look on craiglist for someone parting a vehicle out. When you get the glass take it and your dodge to an auto glass shop and pay them to install it. they will have the knowledge, the tools, and the fasteners on hand.

Ground the lead from a test light and then use the test light to the check the (-) negative side of the ignition coil and when the engine is cranking over the test light should flash or blink off and on rapidly indicating that there is a dwell signal to the ignition coil, and if the test light does not flash or blink then there is either a problem with the pick-up coil/stator located inside of the distributor, or there is a damaged wire somewhere in the ignition system between the pick-up coil/stator inside of the distributor and the computer, or between the (-) negative wire to the ignition coil and the computer.

Also be sure to remove the distributor cap and have someone turn over the engine and be certain that the ignition rotor does in fact turn, and that there are no blown out fuses that run the computer.


Pick-Up Coil/Stator

i would use a brass since it corrodes less than a steel plug you can use a freeze plug installer or a large socket

you can use wd40 and spray it into the intake and see if it fires, then you will need to find out if it a clogged line, fuel filter or fuel pump. Hope this helps Tim

change the fuel filter it may be dirty, and not letting much fuel through. not enough to start engine right away.

you can increase the pipe size after the cat, with a free flow muffler it will sound throatier, but don't expect a performance increase,

Sounds like you have a vacuum leak. Check all your vacuum hoses to be sure they are attached properly and also look for cracks in them

mcdevito75 here, A Faulty fuel pump could be the cause, Or and a dirty gas filter, have the shop check it out.

Have you tried checking the tightness of the rod that goes to the transmission and the bottom end of the shifting knob shaft?

Hi, what were the two follow up questions? There not listed on my page.

o/haul front calipers

they should be 3/16" but if you want to be sure, take a quarter inch wrench and put the open end over the line if it is sloppy on the line it is 3/16" , if it fits nicely, it is 1/4" . that is the only two sizes they could of used.

Change fluid & filter. Use only recommended fluid.
If this does not work you may have the pump going out.

sounds like your ignition coil is getting hot. it is either a bad connectioin with the wiring leading to your distributor or bad connections with your batt terminals. also you might want to check all your fuses and make are all correct size

did you try the other door if still no you may need a new key. if just the one door it will need a new tumbler