general problems of the 2000 Dodge Dakota

When starting vehicle and engaging drive or reverse, engine races and vehicel jumps forward (or reverse) several yards, even with parking brake applied and footbrake applied.

At approximately 7000 miles I started experiencing an engine rpm surge after putting the vehicle in gear after a cold start. Engine rpm would instantly rise to 1400 - 1500 rpm without any throttle input causing the truck to lunge forward or backward depending on the gear it was in. I reported the problem to the service department and was originally told that nothing could be done since the problem could not be duplicated once the engine had been started and had went through this cycle. I finally got a service advisor to listen after living with this problem for approximately 9 months. At that time, the idle air control motor was changed which corrected the problem. After approximately 6000 - 9000 miles, the problem re-occurred. The dealer again changed the idle control motor which did not correct the problem. Fuel injector cleaner was then ran through the vehicle and the spark plugs were changed which corrected the problem for approximately one week. Any time I start this vehicle after it has set over night with temperatures under 60 degrees the engine starts and idles down to normal idle of approximately 600 -700 rpm. When I put the truck in gear, the idle rpm drops to approximately 400 and will then surge to 1200 - 1400 before idling back down to normal. I am still working with the dealer to get this resolved however am making little progress since they have so far not been able to work with the vehicle long enough to duplicate the problem themselves. The problem occurs for me every day I start the vehicle and the weather is cool. On hot days, it is fine. I am still working with the dealer and will be meeting with them on 8/21/2001. I would like to know if this is a known problem with this vehicle.

This problem has to deal with a rough/low idle and off idle hesitation which sometimes results in engine stalling in traffic or when crossing highways. The in gear warm idle is at a very rough 500-600rpm. When the air conditioner is turned on the idle jumps up to a fairly smooth 700 rpm, and the truck runs fine. This vehicle has had all current updates and recalls performed. The dealer has cleaned the throttle body and iac motor under warranty, but the problem persists. The problem is less evident in cold weather or when the engine is cold. The vehicle has stalled twice; once at a traffic light and once when crossing the highway. The rough idle is always present (sometimes worse than others), but the stalling is very intermitent. I am affraid that this will at some point cause a serious accident.