97 Dakota No Start HELP

VA_Camper · #1 10-31-2009, 08:23 AM

Hey guys, I've searched alot of posts in here on the subject and come up with some options, but I'd thought I'd go ahead and post.

I bought a 97 dakota v6 4x4 off a co-worker who needed money, but it died on him three months ago. he said it just cut off, then started about an hour later running very rough. cut off again, and hadn't started since.

It did throw a 1391 code, he replaced the crank sensor and cleared the code but no change. Several months ago he replaced the 140amp main fuse whick was blown, and replaced the alternator...

I was thinking distributor cam sensor (hall effect) but had noticed alot of info and the wiring and ASD. I did notice there was a rub through and arcing on the coil wire where it had laid on the heat shield on the pass bank manifold..

I just don't want to go replacing stuff I don't need to and wasting money, if I can take an intelligent approach and go straight to the problem.

When I first crank it over it stumbles like it wants to fire, but it doesnt. I smell fuel, and have convinced myself it's not getting fire.

The truck is sitting an hour from my house so trips to work on it are few and far between.

Thanks for the help!

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Crazy4x4RT · #2 10-31-2009, 10:43 AM

To me it truly sounds like a wire problem. A wire is broken or shorting out somewhere. Do a full inspection of the wiring harness.

VA_Camper · #3 11-10-2009, 06:16 PM

OK, so I tried searching for the infamous splices, and all I came up with was two heat shrinked joints. One was two pinkish wires "soldered" onto one wire going back to the firewall. The other was a black set going toward the front of the vehicle. They werent really soldered as much as they were encased in an opaque resin of sorts which still looked quite good. no evidence of green or corrosion from what I saw. So..the more I messed with it, I finally poured some gas down the throttle body. You guessed it.. vroom... SO, i go listen for the fuel pump..nothing.probe the wires to the tank..nothing.. Not sure if I was getting a good ground, and I was on the gravel under the truck with a two dollar test light...

What I want to know is, was I looking at the right splices? They had a beefy shrink tube with a couple white dots on them a few inches back from the fuse box on the drivers side fenderwell.

Gonna try to hotwire the pump next if someone could tell me which wire is the hot and ground...

Still haven't tried the cam sensor pickup in the distributor. I did throw a code for the crank sensor but that has been replaced since but no help.

Thanks guys for any and all help

VA_Camper · #4 11-12-2009, 07:03 PM

Not trying to be impatient, but I am planning on wrenching on the ride this weekend, so any help to my second post would be GREATLY appreciated.

Thanks again guys.

VA_Camper · #5 11-14-2009, 07:20 PM

Ok guys. This is my last attempt to reach out for help. If no one can help me here, its off the the stealership for help. if anyone can answer my second post, id really appreciate it.

just some kind of reply would be great though, like if someone has a fix to a similar situation or something.

thanks...

VA_Camper · #6 11-19-2009, 09:00 PM

Still nothing...hmmmmm...

VA_Camper · #7 11-22-2009, 02:45 PM

still no help. THANKS GUYS!

keniso · #8 11-22-2009, 11:38 PM

I had a problem with the fuel pump and the mechanic rreplace it, works fine
that's was about 5 years ago. I listen for the fuel pump to prime nothing,
could be nothing to do with the wiring

stewartj1998 · #9 12-03-2009, 12:51 PM

sorry so late on the reply, had the same problem on my 97, would start and then die suddenly,and one day just died and would not restart,after many $$$$$ , new crank sensor,cam sensor, wires, plugs, ect, it was the coil, put new coil on and it fired right up,someone on my other forum (dfwdakotas) told me to replace it first but i listened to others.