1992 Dodge Dakota Fuel problem

Tiny
FARMBOYALLIS
  • MEMBER
  • 1992 DODGE DAKOTA
  • 150,000 MILES
When it is cooler outside truck will not start. Have to let it sit with key on until the fuel cutoff relay starts clicking, and when it stops the engine light comes on. At this point the engine will start. It is like it needs to build up pressure in the fuel rail before it starts. Any help would be nice. Thanks
Saturday, July 27th, 2013 AT 12:08 PM

1 Reply

Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 34,331 POSTS
The most common cause of these symptoms is a bad battery with one shorted cell. Start by measuring the voltage with a digital voltmeter. If it's fully charged it will read 12.6 volts. If it's good but discharged it will read around 12.2 volts. If you find closer to 11 volts, it has a shorted cell and must be replaced.

Bad connections on the battery cables can cause this too, although typically it will cause a failure to crank and you'll just hear a rather loud clunk from the starter solenoid. It depends on where the bad connection is.
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Saturday, July 27th, 2013 AT 5:42 PM

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