1988 Dodge Dakota Intermittent engine running and stopping

Tiny
JIMMYJAMESRUSSELL
  • MEMBER
  • 1988 DODGE DAKOTA
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 19,000 MILES
Most usually this truck will start and run like there is nothing wrong with it. Once in a while, it will not start, although it always cranks well. The next day, when I try it again, it starts just like new, immediately, and runs smoothly. Its a V6 with EFI.

Once in a while, two days out of ten, it will start immediately, then I'll pull it out of the barn where it is always kept, to let it idle and warm up for 20 minutes (about every 2 or 3 days I do this regularly) and after a few minutes idling, it stops, just dies out of the blue, and will not start, even if I crank it repeatedly. Cranking speed is always good. Rarely it will restart. Usually it will not. After 10 or 15 minutes it will always restart!

It will also will do this occasionly (I rarely drive it) on the road, just dieing as I cruise down the road. Then it will not restart. Ten or 12 minutes later it will restart immediately when cranked, like nothing happened.

I am going to click the donate box and will put a 5 dollar check in the mail if you supply an address. But could you post it to the free question forum too? I'll make an effort to follow it there.
Tuesday, September 28th, 2010 AT 10:36 PM

5 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,200 POSTS
When it doesn't start, have you checked to see what is missing, spark or fuel? One has to be missing.

Let me know.
Joe
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Friday, October 1st, 2010 AT 8:07 AM
Tiny
JIMMYJAMESRUSSELL
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
O.K. Joe. I'll get my remote starter switch out and try to figure out how I will hook in up on the Dakota. (I have never used it except on an old Ford that has a "starter switch 'selenoid' relay". When this happens again, I'll pull a plug wire and crank it to see if I am getting a spark.)
As it doesn't have a carburetor, I don't think I can just disconnect the fuel line to the throttle body, as the Haynes manual I have talks about a pressure release procedure. And I don't know how mechanics go about measuring fuel line pressure.
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Friday, October 1st, 2010 AT 8:47 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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With a carb, you need to get an adapter that the fuel line screws into.
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Friday, October 1st, 2010 AT 12:34 PM
Tiny
JIMMYJAMESRUSSELL
  • MEMBER
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Thanks for you reply.

I don't have a carburetor on the 1988 Dakota, it has fuel injection. Are you saying I need a adapter between the fuel line and the throttle body to put in a fuel pressure gauge?

My old remore starter switch has alligator clips to attach to exterior terminals. The Dakota has a plug that plugs into the starter relay with no terminals then exposed. I'll talk to an auto parts clerk to see what they make to accomplish the remote starter switch hookup.
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Saturday, October 2nd, 2010 AT 9:18 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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I couldn't remember if they had carbs then. I have a 90 and it is TBI like yours. To answer the question, yes, you need an adapter between the two to see fuel pressure.
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Sunday, October 3rd, 2010 AT 3:00 PM

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