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Dodge Dakota Starting Problems
I Just purchased a 2000 Dakota sport club cab.This truck has only 18,000 miles. When I go to start the truck it turns over for about six seconds before starting. I 've tried plugs, throttle body cleaning, sea-foam. It also is reading 10.9 mpg on the display. The last full tank went 181 miles. ANY SUGGESTIONS WOULD BE VERY HELPFUL.
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I'd start with a new air filter and fresh set of plugs and see how it responds. After that a liberal application of fuel injector cleaner and a new PCV valve.
Regards,
Dusty
There is a Automatic Shutdown Relay that will cut off current to the fuel injectors, ignition coil, and oxygen sensor heater when the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) senses certain conditions. This relay also has a fuse.
Can you determine if you are getting ignition spark and fuel?
Regards,
Dusty
Regards,
Dusty
Since I've power washed a few Dakota's I find it hard to believe, but if true it would indicate a bad Crankshaft Position Sensor.
However, your last post supplied some new and important information. If the gauges are going irratic I'm now suspicious that you're intermittently losing current to the ignition system causing the stalling. This could be a bad ignition switch (yet another part Chrysler buys from GM!) or a bad connection at a connector block somewhere.
I would suggest that you get a '97 service manual or a set of wiring diagrams for that year Dak. I think now I'd be looking for bad connections or a short somewhere.
Best regards,
Dusty
When I noticed the water getting under the foam rubber especially on the drivers side, it drips down onto a triangler mounting bracket and right onto the main wire harness coming out of the Power distribution center. I figured that can't be a very good thing. Along with resealing the windshield seals I also dabbed some silicone on a few other connections that looked like they might be susceptible to moisture.
I drove the truck home from work last night in a fairly good sleet and rain storm and it didn't miss a beat. I'll keep my fingers crossed and hope that it continues to run that way.
I really appreciate the help and I'll keep you updated if this attempt fails. Best Regards - glenn
Doesn't your '97 have a cover over the top of the Power Distribution Center?
Best regards,
Dusty
Yes, there is a cover over the PDC, but the water was dripping onto the main wire harness coming out of the PDC that runs up the inner fender towards the windshield. That wire harness is also in a plastic tunnel, but I figure the less moisture getting to it the better. Their calling for more rain tomorrow, I'll drive it to work and see what happens. Best Regards - glenn
You mean water was collecting at the firewall connector?
Regards,
Dusty
I have skinned back the wires to the pump to check for power and can find it on only one wire and only when cranking . Shouln't I get power to the oump when the key is in the run pos. or will the power stay on if the engine catches. What other sensors would be involved and where might they be located.
I want to be sure it is the pump befor I drop it.
This was replaced in '99 and also the crank sensor was replaced in '03 but not by me.
Any help would be appreciated. I don't want to drop the tank and replace the pump if it is a sensor.
The truck ran fine up to this point then won't start!
Regards,
Nath
This could be caused by a number of things, including no fuel delivery or no spark. Check to ensure the fuel pump is operating (this is fused, by the way) and check electrical connections. Suspect components could be a Crankshaft Position Sensor or Camshaft Position Sensor(s).
Regards,
Dusty
nath
It was a 92 Dakota 3.9 v6 with 168k miles on it. Found out later that some wires under the throttle thing were shorting and thusly causing it to not idle/ stay running on cooler days.
It was a good truck. I'm disappointed that Dodge shrunk the v6 engine for the newer models however. Because I don't think that improved the gas mileage any.
A little history: A couple weeks ago we had the injectors sonic cleaned, and replaced an arcing spark plug wire. Has worked wonderfully and smoothly ever since.
Any ideas? Thanks!
i just bought a 2001 automatic dakota from an older gentleman and it ran great for the first few days. it has almost 83k miles on it and about a week ago it started acting up. its hard to start and takes about 5 seconds to crank over if you hold it, but if you let off and try again it kicks over instantly. Sometimes it will start right off the bat and that was in the morning about 8am, but most of the time it takes a good 5 second crank to get it going. Also i was backing out of my driveway and going slow and it died, shut off, stalled or whatever you would like to call it. it started back up after a 5 second crank again. When im going up a driveway or hill going real slow it seems to want to die, but if i get on the gas it dosen't die. It seems to be at random times as im backing up when it decides to die. Do you have any suggestions. i have been told it may be the starter, but i don't want to spend an extra $100 if that is not the problem. I've read some other problems people have had here on the forum and im thinking of replacing the plugs, but not sure what else to do if that dosen't work. Much help would be very much appreciated. Thanks for your time
Erika
Ron
My truck won't start. When I turn the key the dash lights come up, but the starter isn't getting the message. It's similar to when the clutch isn't all the way to the floor so there's no reaction - but the clutch is definitely down. :mad:
My brother in law thought it was a sensor on the clutch, and so by-passed the sensor - rewired it, put an in-line fuses, and it started right up. For a few days. Now it's doing the same thing again. The wire & fuse he put in are fine.
I can't afford to pay a mechanic $80 a hour to try to track down what's wrong. Has anyone here had a similar problem and can maybe set me on the right track?