2000 Dodge Dakota
V6 3.9L
Automatic
Problem : When the truck was purchased, it idled at ~1100RPM. Before parts replacements (see below), it began to idle jumping from a near stall at ~600RPM to ~700RPM. The truck hesitated on first acceleration and at stops (traffic light, stop sign). Normal city and highway driving was unaffected.
Attempted solution : Replaced the throttle position sensor with an after-market product and reset the PCM. Idling increased to ~800 to 900RPM, but this was only temporary. After driving 50 miles, the same problems occurred.
Cleaned the throttle body with throttle body spray solvent. Did not remove the body, only cleaned the fins as best I could and sprayed the inside liberally.
Replaced the PCV valve. The old valve would rattle when shaken, but it obviously had a large amount of gunk in it. The new valve is an after-market product. When intstalled, the new valve rattled loudly when the engine was started. It continues to rattle.
WHEN THE PCV VALVE HOSE IS DISCONNECTED, THE TRUCK CONTINUES TO RUN AND IDLES AT 1100 RPM. IT ALSO DRIVES NORMALLY WITH NO HESITATION.
Both the the attempted solutions above helped the situation, but neither completely fixed it. I still have hesitation, but much less frequently. I also still have a relatively low idle, but it is stable and doesn't sound as much like the truck is going to stall.
V6 3.9L
Automatic
Problem : When the truck was purchased, it idled at ~1100RPM. Before parts replacements (see below), it began to idle jumping from a near stall at ~600RPM to ~700RPM. The truck hesitated on first acceleration and at stops (traffic light, stop sign). Normal city and highway driving was unaffected.
Attempted solution : Replaced the throttle position sensor with an after-market product and reset the PCM. Idling increased to ~800 to 900RPM, but this was only temporary. After driving 50 miles, the same problems occurred.
Cleaned the throttle body with throttle body spray solvent. Did not remove the body, only cleaned the fins as best I could and sprayed the inside liberally.
Replaced the PCV valve. The old valve would rattle when shaken, but it obviously had a large amount of gunk in it. The new valve is an after-market product. When intstalled, the new valve rattled loudly when the engine was started. It continues to rattle.
WHEN THE PCV VALVE HOSE IS DISCONNECTED, THE TRUCK CONTINUES TO RUN AND IDLES AT 1100 RPM. IT ALSO DRIVES NORMALLY WITH NO HESITATION.
Both the the attempted solutions above helped the situation, but neither completely fixed it. I still have hesitation, but much less frequently. I also still have a relatively low idle, but it is stable and doesn't sound as much like the truck is going to stall.