Hey everyone, I'm new to the forum and new to dodge trucks.

My dad has an 88 dakota 2wd. I was out of town when it stopped working, but here is where I am at.

It turns over, smells like its got fuel, leaves me thinking its something with the ignition system.

I don't have a FSM for this truck, so could someone post a link to one?

OR, could someone post up an ignition troubleshooting procedure, including tests for: the coil, any ignition relays.

Also, I cant seem to find the main fuse box, there is a small fuse box in the cab on the DS that has fuses for lights, gauges and stuff, but no major components. There is a black electrical box on the PS of the engine bay, on the fender, I was thinking this was the main fuse box, but it has what look like torx screws holding the cover together, that to me meant it was the computer.

Thanks in advance.

 

the fuse box is in the cab, drivers side, to the left and down from the steering column. doesn't sound like a fuse problem. check the auto shutdown relay located on the drivers side fender beside the shock mount. you may smell fuel from leftover pressure in the injectors. if not the coil, hall effect in the distributer or shutdown relay could be fried.

take off one of the plug wires, pull back the boot, hold it an inch from a ground (anywhere on the engine) turn over the engine and check for a spark, HOLD IT BY THE WIRE OR BOOT! NOT THE METAL END! if no spark check the hall effect, coil and shutdown relay.

i would say hall effect if you have no spark but keep smelling fuel. the computer on my 89 has gone through the worst crap you can imagine and still works great, can't understand why so many guys have computer problems. thats probably the last thing i would check.