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Check Engine Light Method Dodge Cab & Chassis Dakota

Engine Controls - Tests W/codes - 3.9L 4 illustrations ~912 words

Check Engine Light Method

  1. Start engine (if possible). Move transmission shift lever through all gear positions, ending in Park. Turn A/C switch on, then off (if equipped).
  2. Turn engine off. Without starting engine again, turn ignition on, off, on, off, and on. Record 2-digit fault codes as displayed by the flashing CHECK ENGINE light.
  3. For example, Code 23 is displayed as flash, flash, 4-second pause, flash, flash, flash. After a slightly longer pause, other codes stored are displayed in numerical order.
  4. Once CHECK ENGINE light begins to flash fault codes, it cannot be stopped. If you lose count, it will be necessary to start over. Code 55 indicates end of fault code display.
  5. Refer to FAULT CODES table to translate fault code number to a system fault description (display on DRB-II). Once fault code description is obtained, refer to appropriate NO START TEST 1A ( «NS-1A»(ref-10648-S09087819232000111000000) ) or DRIVEABILITY TEST 1A ( «DR-1A»(ref-10648-S01539978692000111000000) ) trouble shooting chart for additional testing procedures.
  6. As an example, a 3.0L engine starts and runs, but has a driveability problem, and CHECK ENGINE light indicates a Code 14. Refer to FAULT CODES table to translate fault code number to a system fault description (display on DRB-II).
  7. When system fault description (display on DRB-II) is obtained, refer to appropriate DRIVEABILITY TEST 1A ( «DR-1A»(ref-10648-S01539978692000111000000) ) trouble shooting chart, since vehicle has a driveability problem, for more testing procedures. Select fault message and corresponding test from table, and proceed to appropriate trouble shooting chart. Test procedure may vary depending whether fault code is a hard or intermittent failure.

Note. When using trouble shooting charts for diagnosis, DO NOT skip any steps in chart, or incorrect diagnosis may result.

Note. The DRB-II can also be used to perform the following: display the state or values of sensors, inputs/outputs and components, allow various outputs such as valves and hydraulics to be tested, and reset Emission Maintenance Reminder (EMR) functions. See OPERATING MODES and EMISSION MAINTENANCE REMINDER (EMR) in this article.

Scheme 58

Scheme 58: DRB-II Method
Scheme 58: DRB-II Method

Scheme 59

Scheme 59
Scheme 59

Scheme 60

Scheme 60
Scheme 60

Scheme 61

Scheme 61
Scheme 61
  1. Turn ignition off. Attach DRB-II Tester (C-4805) to diagnostic connector. DIAGNOSTIC CONNECTOR LOCATIONS (1) Application Location Dakota In Engine Compartment, On Right Corner Of Firewall Pickup & Ramcharger In Engine Compartment, Near Master Cylinder RWD Van On Center Of Firewall, Near SBEC (1) (Scheme 58)- (Scheme 62)
  2. Start engine (if possible). Move transmission shift lever through all positions, ending in Park. Turn A/C switch on, then off (if equipped). Turn engine off. Without starting engine again, turn ignition on. DO NOT touch keypad on DRB-II during power-up sequence, or an error will result. The copyright date and diagnostic program will be displayed briefly.
  3. If DRB-II screen is blank, or if an error message appears, proceed to «DRB-II PROBLEMS & ERROR MESSAGES»(ref-10648-S03356193212000111000000) in this article. The following are possible error messages that may appear: BAD FRAMING, BAD OP CODE, CARTRIDGE ERROR, COMMAND REJECTED, HIGH BATTERY, KEYPAD TEST FAILURE, LOW BATTERY, NO RESPONSE or RAM TEST FAILURE.
  4. After a few seconds, display will change to read as follows: DRB-II, 1) VEHICLES TESTED, or 2) HOW TO USE. Press ENTER button immediately. Press the down arrow twice. Display will now read as follows: DRB-II, 2) HOW TO USE, 3) CONFIGURE, and 4) SELECT SYSTEM.
  5. Select No. 4 (SELECT SYSTEM) to enter the diagnostic system. Display will read as follows: SELECT SYSTEM, 1) ENGINE, and 2) TRANSMISSION. Select No. 1 (ENGINE) to enter the engine system part of the DRB-II program. Display will change to read as follows: 1991 XX, XXXX EMISSIONS, AUTOMATIC TRANS, SBEC XX, #XXXX-A. NOTE: Display may vary slightly depending on engine package being diagnosed.
  6. After a few seconds, display will change to read as follows: AIR COND, 1) WITH A/C, and 2) WITHOUT A/C. Press ENTER button to change display immediately. Select No. 1 or No. 2 as appropriate for vehicle being tested.
  7. Display will now read as follows: ENGINE SYSTEM, 1) FUEL/IGNITION, and 2) CHARGING. Select No. 1 (FUEL/IGNITION) to bring up menu of test categories for the fuel/ignition system. Display will change to read as follows: FUEL/IGN MENU, 1) SYSTEM TEST, and 2) READ FAULTS.
  8. Press the down arrow 3 times to view rest of menu. Display will read as follows: FUEL/IGN MENU, 3) STATE DISPLAY, 4) ACTUATOR TEST, and 5) ADJUSTMENTS. To read fault codes, select No. 2 (READ FAULTS).
  9. If no fault code exists, display will read as follows: NO FAULTS DETECTED. If fault codes exist, display will show number of faults detected, such as 1 of 3 faults, and fault message. This is the fault counter. Below the fault message, the start counter (key counter) will list number of starts since fault code was set.
  10. The start counter (key counter) helps to determine if fault is intermittent. As an example, if DRB-II displays 0 STARTS SINCE ERS, this indicates zero engine starts since fault occurred, and fault code is a hard failure. If start counter (key counter) on DRB-II shows more than zero engine starts since fault last occurred, fault code is an intermittent failure.
  11. If more than one fault code exists, press the down arrow to display next fault code. All fault codes must be read before fault codes can be erased. Once fault codes are obtained, refer to appropriate NO START TEST 1A (NS-1A) or DRIVEABILITY TEST 1A (DR-1A) trouble shooting chart.

Note. When using trouble shooting charts for diagnosis, DO NOT skip any steps in chart, or incorrect diagnosis may result.