I have a 1990 dodge dakota V-6. Has been running rough recently and it felt like a bad plug or wire etc.. The other day, I fill the tank and as I am accelerating up a hill after leaving the gas station, it dies on me...I have electrical etc and the engine turns but wont start...Tow truck arrives and magically, it starts after sitting about 1/2 hour. Started up the last two days but I havent taken it out anywhere..... I'm thinking I'm going to just replace everything - fuel pump, filter, etc..maybe even the fuel line.....Any other suggestions or tips on replacing those items or thoughts on my problem?

 

I have the same year and engine, and mine has done that before. If it is only idling rough, check the EGR. Definitely replace the fuel filter, think about how much gas has gone through that filter over the years. I would recommend replacing the filter first, and see if runs better. Filters are cheap, fuel pumps are not.

 

Agree change the fuel filter is under the drivers side along the frame. I would not just start shotgunning the issue can get costly. Are you sure it is a fuel issue not a spark issue? When my 90 did this it was the Hall Effect Pick-up in the distributor.

 

if it runs fine on the highway but wants to stall at a stop light, it's probaly the EGR valve. when the hall effect goes it won't start again. dakotas are natorous for the fuel pumps going bad. you went up the hill and the truck died from lack of fuel. it sounds like the fuel pump is toast.

 

Check all the common sense stuff first, don't be jumping the gun, just yet, run the trouble codes and start there, could be an EGR, could be a grounding issue, could be anything really, I wouldn't blame the oump just yet

 

Mine was wierd too. It would crank and run but as soon as I shut it down it would not want to start for a while. No code, changing out relays didn't help, just cool down. It was the pump. Lucky for you, you can replace just the pump ina 90 instead of the entire module. Oh, it would buck down the road at cruise and lose power intermit too.

 

Well, I ran it yesterday and it ran smooth so now I'm not sure whether it was bad gas or what. I have a theory (and its just a wild guess) that when I punched the gas to go up the hill, it plugged the fuel filter and thatthe blockagejust worked its way out. I am going to start by replacing the fuel filter as well as spark plug wires and plugs (Plugsand wires haven't been changed in for ever). I'll keep all of you posted but thanks for the ideas.

 

if yourdoing plugs and wires might as well do cap and rotor.