Top 10 2005 Dodge Dakota Questions & Answers

To change the sparks on a 2005 4.7L Dodge Dakota you will need the following:

• Spark plug socket
• Ratchet
• Torque wrench
• Extension
• Flat-tip screwdriver
• Make sure the truck is cold!!!

Note you will have to remove the air intake located at the top of the engine, and will have to move some of the coolant lines out of the way.

At the top of the engine there are 4 sparks on each side. The coils are held in place with a 10mm bolt. Undo the 10mm bolt and unclip the coil. Next pull out the coil.

Insert the socket, with extension into the spark plug hole.

Remove spark plug.

Check the gap on new spark plug, it should match stock.

tighten to approximately 25ft.lbs. (check spark-plug packaging for exact torque requirements).

repeat this process with all other sparks.

be sure that no dirt gets into the spark plug holes.

Under the hood in a box on the drivers side. Fuse ID is on the inside of the box top.

remove the jack from the jack holder behind the seat put the rods together stick the rod in the hole on the rear bumper and crank the handle counter clockwise this will lowere the tire once it's on the ground get the tire off and install where needed.

It's really not that difficult to access and remove your car stereo. If you do plan on pulling / making new connections it's important to disconnect power to the vehicle first. This can be done by pulling the negative (black) terminal from the battery. A quick google query on your vehicle actually came across some very good pictures of the process LINK . While the work done on that site is not specifically addressed to your need, it should be useful for what to expect and how things will look. It looks like there are two screws located near the base of the trim that need to be removed first. Next, you need to carefully pry the trim piece back as it is held on by some retainer clips. It is important not to be too forceful as the trim, the clips, or even worse things could get damaged. Try to find a small spatcula or plastic scrapping tool to help guide the trim away from the dash. Once you get the trim off the radio looks to be held in place by four black #2 phillips head screws. Take those screws out and gently pull back the radio head just far enough to access the wires in the back. The wires will plug into the back of the radio with a plastic harness. Again use care in trying to remove the wires so as not to cause any damage. Do not pull on the wires themselves but rather the plastic harness. There should also be one small jack that is for the antenna connection. Remove this also. Then there you have it! Your radio should be out allowing you full access to it. As for the iPod accessory, that may be another story on installation. Good Luck!

There are three screws that hold the light assembly in on each light.
If you look at the bottom of the light you will see a small cut out on the light assembly. One of the screws in located there. You may need a flash light to see the screws. The other two screws are located on the side of the light assembly toward the center of the truck. They are covered by a rubber gasket assembly. One on toward the top of the light assembly and one near the bottom. The three screws have star heads so you will need the correct size to remove them. Once you remove the three screws you can then pull the assembly out. It will be tight because it has a guide screw attached to the assemly to ensure the light go into the correct position. Once you have the assembly removed you can see the bulb housing. You just twist the tabs to remove the bulb. You can then disconnect the wiring by pulling back on the red locking tab on the wiring harness. This will allow you to then remove the bulb and replace it with your new one. Reverse the instructions above to replace them. Good Luck

Passenger side valve cover,

2005 dodge dakota that reads error were the odomoter is located Communication Error - If the cluster fails to receive a distance message during normal operation, it will hold
and display the last data received until the ignition switch is turned to the Off position. If the cluster does not
receive a distance message within one second after the ignition switch is turned to the On position, it will
display the last distance message stored in the cluster memory. If the cluster is unable to display distance
information due to an error internal to the cluster, the VFD will display "Error".


Taken directly from the service manual...

Edit: To elaborate further, again from the manual:

The PCM continually monitors the vehicle speed pulse information received from the vehicle speed sensor and
engine speed pulse information received from the crankshaft position sensor, then sends the proper distance and
engine speed messages to the instrument cluster

Sounds like the cluster and PCM are having troubles communicating... With the vehicle off and ignition off. Press and hold the oddometer button while turning the ignition key to the on position do not start the vehicle or go beyond the on position. When the test starts release the oddometer button. The gauges will go through the test cycles and various positions. This takes about 30-45 seconds. Then on the oddometer any test error codes will be displayed in this format XX XX when all the codes have been displayed and the test is completed the last oddometer indication will be 00 00. Then the operation will return to normal. FixYa Premium Support Please rate 4 thumbs up, accept and leave feedback for this solution. Thanks. Best Reguards, cardenderek

Slide the slim jim tool down the passengers door, grab onto the cross bar and lift. It should unlock the door. - Super VAG K+CAN

U1120 means the abs module has lost communication with speed sensors. You'll need a scanner to monitor speed sensors. If problem is in module you won't get communication with scanner. Follow your brake lines from master cylinder to ABS pump/module, on the side of in is a wired connector. Undo it and check for moisture or corrosion. Get some dielectric gel and smear it good on all contacts. And plug back in and retest. Might need new module or speed sensor

If you have the 3.7L V6 or 4.7L V8, your transmission is fully electronically controlled by a transmission control module (TCM). This module stores codes just like the PCM does for engine problems. Find a mechanic or a code reader that can read codes from the TCM to see if it has any codes stored, and what the codes indicate as the problem. If there are no codes, you may want to try just changing the fluid and filters (there are two) in the transmission.
See this video: Dodge Dakota Transmission Service 45RFE 545RFE