Hello there. Im new to the dakota forum, been hiding in the neon forum for the last year. anyway, i just recentyl but my dakota back on the road. Before i parked it, it was having a bit of a starting problem, and i forgot about it until it did it the other day again.


WHen it gets hot, it seems to not want to run. It will crank for ever, but no start. I listened, and i dont think i heard the fuel pump kick on when it warm. Then when i went to start it about an hour later, i heard the fuel pump, and it was a noticable noise.


SO, my question is, is the fuel pump bad? is there wiring that is hitting or shorting, or just getting hot when and not working? is the relay warm? If it is the fuel pump, is it something that i can take apart and clean up? or do i need a new pump? and if i do need a new pump, anybody know where i can get one cheap? thanks for all the help guys.

 

Sounds like a wiring gremlin. Grab a wiring diagram and start tracing the wires. Look for breaks, corrosion (especially around the washer bottle), loose relays, and possibly have the pump operation checked. Doubt the pump is bad since it is inoperable only under certain conditions. Good luck.

 

ok. sounds like a plan. i have a haynes and a chilton for my dak, the wiring will be in there correct?

 

Also check to make sure your Auto Shutdown relay is working properly, to check it you can do as I did and put it in the starter slot, if it doesn't do anything when you turn the key or does intermittently, then replace the relay. I just went thru the same thing on my '92