7.0

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$10
Average Mileage:
97,200 miles
Total Complaints:
4 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (2 reports)
  2. clean heater core out with lime away (1 reports)
  3. nothing fixed it (1 reports)
1998 Dodge Dakota AC / heater problems

AC / heater problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 1998 Dodge Dakota:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

1998 Dodge Dakota Owner Comments

problem #4

Dec 162011

Dakota 3.9L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 126,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Hello I had poor heat in my Dakota. I fixed it by cleaning out my heater core with Lime Away. It is a simple procedure. You disconnect the heater core coolant lines from the engine. Run a water hose from a hot water source with a tapered nozzle. Flush out the heater core lines with nozzle until you have a good flow of water through heater core. Blow out all of the water in the heater core with air. Rig both heater core lines to face up. Pour one bottle of FULL STRENGTH Lime Away in heater core coolant line until it starts to pour out of other coolant line. Let sit in heater core for THREE HOURS. After three hours flush heater core out, alternating between coolant lines. Do this for about 15-20 minutes. Then blow all water out of heater core with air. Top off heater core with antifreeze. Reconnect coolant lines to engine. Top off radiator with antifreeze. Start vehicle and idle until reaching operating temperature. Drive as normal. Any air bubbles will work its way out of the system as you drive. The following day top of coolant over flow tank. You are done and now have heat like a inferno. Peace

- Tony W., Detroit, MI, US

problem #3

Oct 152007

Dakota SLT 5.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 127,650 miles

This damn heater never has worked right! Barley blows warm air,even gave the entire system a good doush,didnt help though!Its 4WD and havenever abused this truck and had to have the front end rebuilt,it was a recall but only covered 99s and up,what a crock that is!,The headliner kept coming unglued too.The tranny slips when cold,Iws told there's check balls in the lines and they should be taken out and thrown over the back fence.Was also told tranny doesn't circulate fluid when in park,thats a real good design...pity too cuz its a real sharp lookin truck--there that better.

- Pete L., Benson, AZ, US

problem #2

Sep 032007

(reported on)

Dakota Sport 3.6L V6

  • Manual transmission
  • 62,137 miles

A/C died after 3rd summer. Mechanic put some sort of fluid in the unit, said that should cure the problem. Next summer - after about two weeks of use, died again. Heater was still working when fall came around. Had A/C checked out again the next summer, no go. Gave up. Heater still working come fall. Heater died about four winters ago. Had thermostat changed, heater core flushed, rad flushed, everything except replacing the entire unit. Heater puts out enough heat on milder days, but on really cold or windy days, there is no heat what-so-ever. I've spent close to $2,000 Cdn to fix these problems, with no satisfaction. I had heard before I purchased this truck, that Chrysler products were notorious for the A/C units crapping out after only about 3 or 4 years, so I expected that, but not the heater, as well. Still, I enjoy driving my pick-up, and will buy another.

- blackwell1, Brampton, Ontario, Canada

problem #1

Feb 092007

(reported on)

Dakota V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 73,000 miles

I don't have enough heat inside my Dakota. I changed the thermostat, thinking it was stuck open but it didn't help. the heat gauge hovers around 195 degrees even after idling for 1 hour in 15 degree weather. any suggestions?

- Mike H., Ashland, KY, US

Not what you are looking for?