I have a 2001 Dodge Dakota with a 3.9 engine that has 160,000 miles on it. I bought it with 155,000 miles on it. I drove it from Hugo Colorado to Apache Junction Arizona June 5-6 of this year. I had a lot of tools in the back of the truck and in a one axle box trailer that the truck was pulling. The truck made the trip with no problems. Problems started after about a month in Arizona.
Truck started and idled fine. After about 5 miles of freeway driving (65-70 mph) the truck would lose power and shift down when going over the rises at cross streets. When I would exit and stop at a light it would usually idle badly. After a short drive on city streets, the problem would usually clear up. Check engine light was on and OBD II codes were P0132 and pending P0300 and P0305. I replaced the plugs and plug wires and cleared the codes.
The problem persisted but the check engine light did not come on. The problem would not occur when driving on city streets, only when driving a few miles on the freeway. I replaced the coil, distributor cap and rotor.
I took it for a test drive out of town (65-70 mph). After about 10 miles and encountering small hills, the problem came back, losing power and shifting down when going over small hills. I stopped at the next crossover and it idled badly. It took a little time to get up to speed. The problem then went away, no more small hills. The check engine light was on again and this time the OBD II codes were P0132 and pending P0300, P0301, and P0303.
Is there something I should test or replace next or is it time to take it to a local mechanic or to the Dodge dealer?
Truck started and idled fine. After about 5 miles of freeway driving (65-70 mph) the truck would lose power and shift down when going over the rises at cross streets. When I would exit and stop at a light it would usually idle badly. After a short drive on city streets, the problem would usually clear up. Check engine light was on and OBD II codes were P0132 and pending P0300 and P0305. I replaced the plugs and plug wires and cleared the codes.
The problem persisted but the check engine light did not come on. The problem would not occur when driving on city streets, only when driving a few miles on the freeway. I replaced the coil, distributor cap and rotor.
I took it for a test drive out of town (65-70 mph). After about 10 miles and encountering small hills, the problem came back, losing power and shifting down when going over small hills. I stopped at the next crossover and it idled badly. It took a little time to get up to speed. The problem then went away, no more small hills. The check engine light was on again and this time the OBD II codes were P0132 and pending P0300, P0301, and P0303.
Is there something I should test or replace next or is it time to take it to a local mechanic or to the Dodge dealer?