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Re: HAVE 1991 DODGE DAKOTA,318CU..CHECK ENGINE LIGHT...
Code 12 is diagnostic code for 'batt disconect'
tells mechanics if you have replace or removed battery
has to be another code in it
how does it work / drive?
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If its obd1 you can disconnect the battery cable to clear the codes.
If it is obd2 you have to clear the codes with a scanner or code reader to make the check engine light go off.
Either way the problem has to be fixed to keep the light from coming back on later.
The 12 is normal for the starting code. The 41 says generator (alternator) field is not switching properly. Code 45 says Turbo boost limit exceeded (engine was shut down by logic module). I doubt that you have turbo on the Dakota. However there IS a code 46. Battery voltage too high during charging or charging system voltage too low. That would make sense with the 41 code. Sounds like you may have an alternator/charging system problem.
No look for the open to ground at a wire that is causing the drain. you have something pulling the battery down because it is basically on all the time a short to ground.
The best way to reset the maintenence light after you have resolved the problem is to disconnect the battery.
First disconnect the battery (negative terminal)
Let the disconnected battery sit for at least 15 minutes
After 15 minutes reconnect the negative cable
The reason to leave it disconnected for 15 minutes is to give the capasitors time to fully discharge their charge. If after doing this procedure and your light comes back on you need to check if there is any maintenence procedure that may have been missed or have the codes read.
CODE 12 STAND BY MEMORY POWER LOST.WHAT IT SAYING ECM LOSING MEMORY BECAUSE LACK OF POWER.POSSIBLE CAUSE TO YOUR PROBLEM COULD BE OLD WORN OUT BATTERY CABLES CAUSING POOR GROUND AND HIGH RESISTANCE IN CHARGING CIRCUIT.YOU COULD HAVE WRONG AMP ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY WRONG COLD CRANKING AMPS.MAKE SURE ALTERNATOR BELT TIGHT AND CHECK ALTERNATOR BATTERY FEED WIRE AND ALTERNATOR FIELD WIRES FOR DAMAGE OR LOOSE CONNECTIONS.CHECK ALTERNATOR FUSE. WITH ENGINE RUNNING ALTERNATOR OUT PUT SHOULD BE 13.5 TO 14.5 VOLTS IF NOT ALTERNATOR NOT CHARGING.
This code only means that you have disconnected the power to the PCM.
This code will stay until 50 key turns have been completed from the last time you disconnected the battery.
Your check engine light should not be on if this is your only code.
If this helps and one give some feed back
Hope this helped FixYa.
take the postive side off the battery for about 3-seconds and put back on if the light comes back on and you have a autozone near you they will check it for free so you know what else you have to do to repair you truck wish you the best of luck Michigan Man.
thermostat my be stuck closed. check radiator for gunk and junk, check oil if it looks milky then its your head gasket. to reset the check engine light disconnect the neg battery terminal for 30 seconds
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