i have a 2000 dodge dakota, in cold weather it can start but stalls immediately. i can idle if i rev the engine. it also stalls if i am coasting in drive. once the vehicle is at operating temperature it can idle but roughly
Optional Information: 2000 Dodge club cab sport 3.9L V6 Already Tried: used fuel injector cleaner
Need a little information in order to help...
First, how cold is "cold" weather? I'm in Florida and that's only 60 degrees for us!
Second, tell me more about your truck...what engine does it have? How many miles are on it? What maintenance has been done and when (by age and time)? Is the Check Engine light on? If so, what is the code that is stored there?
On modern engines, you don't give it gas with the throttle anymore...just air. The fuel is all controlled by the engine computer, and it needs to know when the engine is cold to adjust fuel mixture and idle speed accordingly. The overall state of tune is important to...weak, worn spark plugs...dirty air and fuel filters...for example, will make it harder to idle properly.
anytime below -5C (i think that translates into roughly 25F)the truck is a 3.9L V6 with 101 000 milesthe check engine light does not come onas for maintenance, since i got the truck last month ive only done an oil change and cleaned the air filter
Hi Im Larry Crow an ASE Master Tech and shop owner for 23 yrs.
I live in Missouri so I know what you mean when you say cold temps.
The first thing I suspect is that your throttle body is dirty and needs to be cleaned so that the min. air passages can flow enough air to keep the RPMs high enough to idle without using the idle air contorl valve as much, Then when need the idle air control valve has enough travel to compenstate for cold temps, in gear idle, A/C load ect.
The other thing to check is battery condition, if the battery voltage drops below 10 volts during cranking the computer will forget its idle memory and have a hard time with start up fuel mix. nso if it cranks slow I would check that voltage during cranking.
I think this will get you taking care of and thanks again for using justanswer.com
P.S. after hitting the accept button please leave positive feedback if I have helped you. Thanks Again!
Experience: ASE Master Tech & shop owner 29 years of experience
Two common problems with these engines you need to check. First, remove the air cover from the throttle body, hold it open and peer down into the intake manifold. If you see any puddling of oil, then it is likely that the lower intake gasket is leaking.
More in keeping with your complaint, also check the throttle body for contamination...specifically black deposits on the throttle bore where the throttle plate just comes into contact with the bore. If there, it will need to be removed and cleaned. These deposits build normally and reduce the amount of air that can pass by when at idle...which leads me to the next item to check.
On the side of the throttle body is the "Idle Air Control" valve. This valve is controlled by the computer, adding air just like you would if you stepped on the pedal. It's job is to maintain warm idle when engine loads change...like turning on the AC or lights...and to idle up the engine when cold. If the throttle body is dirty and not flowing the air it should normally, the IAC valve is already starting out with a handicap. In addition, if the throttle body is dirty, odds are so is the valve...and that adds yet another handicap.
Start there...I think that may help you solve your cold idle stall!