The 1998 Dodge Dakota's heater core is the electronic device that operates as a radiator, heating up the air before sending it out into the Dakota. Without a functioning heater core, you will not be able to use the heater on your Dakota. Replacing the heater core is a very lengthy and involved process. It is also a fairly straightforward process. Although it will take over four hours to replace the Dakota's heater core, there is nothing too complicated about the process.
Park the Dakota and turn off the engine. Open the Dakota's hood. Using a socket wrench, remove the battery's negative-terminal.
Use a flathead screwdriver to pry the clips securing the dashboard cover to the truck. There are a total of eight clips along the edge of the dashboard. Once the clips are removed, pull the dashboard cover out of the Dakota.
Use a Phillips screwdriver to uninstall the two upper screws from the two knee blocker panels. There is one knee blocker panel underneath the steering column and another under the glove box. Remove the driver's side knee blocker panel will reveal four wiring connectors. Disconnect all four wiring connectors underneath the steering column.
Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the hood releasing level and pull it off the Dakota.
Use a flathead screwdriver to pry off both the lower and upper cover from the steering column. Pry out the combination switch and uninstall its securing screw to remove the switch lever.
Remove the four bolts securing the steering column to the truck with a socket wrench. Slowly lower the column into the driver's seat.
Remove the two screws holding the glove box in place and remove it from the truck. This will allow access to the blower motor.
Reach into the hole revealed by removing the glove box and disconnect the blower motor's wiring harness.
Disconnect the heater core's wiring harness and pull off its two heater hoses. Some coolant may leak out of the hoses. Mop up the coolant with a towel.
Remove the four screws securing the heater core cover to the Dakota with a Phillips screwdriver. Remove the heater core cover.
Remove the four bolts securing the heater core. Lift the heater core out of the Dakota.
Install a replacement heater core and secure it by tightening the bolts to 28 in.-lbs. with a socket wrench.
Reattach the heater core cover and the hoses. Reconnect the heater core and blower motor's wiring harnesses. Reattach the glove box.
Reattach the steering column and the combination switch. Reinstall the steering column covers and the hood releasing lever.
Reattach the knee block panels and the dashboard cover. Reconnect the battery of the Dakota and close the hood.
