Questions and Answers

Dodge Dakota Starting Problems Q. I would really appreciate any help you can provide with my problem. I have a 1993 Dodge Dakota, 3.9 liter engine, automatic transmission,157,000 miles, fuel injected, ABS brakes, P/S, A/C and cruise. I have had this truck since new. The truck runs fine, but when I crank it sometimes it will crank and go right back dead.

It will continue to do this five or six times then stay running and run fine. If I give it gas and keep it running it will run rough and not have any power and pop back through the exhaust. I can cut it off and re-crank it runs fine with plenty of power.

Also sometimes when I am coming to a stop and pat the gas slightly the truck will go dead and be difficult to crank and keep running again without cranking it for five or six times. Sometimes I can drive the truck for several days and have no problems.

The check engine light never comes on. I disconnected the throttle position sensor and it came on. So I know it works. I have changed the fuel filter and it didn`t help. Please send me any information that you might have for my problem.

Thank you,
Stephen

A. It sounds like you may have a fuel pressure problem. I would hook up a fuel pressure gauge to it and check it in the morning before you start it. If the fuel pressure gauge reads zero, then you have a bad fuel pump.

If the fuel pressure is good, then you probably have a bad Coolant Temperature Sensor.