I have a 96 Dakota with the little 4 banger in it it would take a few cranks to get it started but would start then 1 day I shut it off and now will not start when I sprayed starter fluid it would start now it won't even start that way
took it to a mechanic and he used 3 different code readers and none of them would communicate with the ECU
The a-17 pin had 1 volt it is suppose to have either 5 or 6 don't remember for sure at this time replaced the ECU same problem but now a-17 has 0 volts
The code readers would not communicate with either ECU's
When the relay for the fuel pump is tripped fuel flows with around 45lbs. of pressure
Please help I'm lost
Randy

 

ASD relay? Could be a bad splice, that would cause the semi-interrmittent start, no-start. Does the engine crank, or not? If it cranks with no start, I'd definitely look into the Auto Shut down circuit, either bad relay or bad splice like I said.

 

checked the splice it appears to be good (still connected)could it still be bad?

 

Is it green? If it has any green on it, it still could end up being bad. Also the relay it self could be bad. Also there are, 3 other splices in there as well, the ASD is the most notorious, but the others can cause the same issues if they go bad

 

I stripped a bit on insulation off the wires and I have power at all 3
Where are the 3 other splices as I am only seeing 1
I checked resistance across all of the relays they are either all bad or all good as I had the same readings on all of them
Turned the key on and looked on the dash and not sure if it has a check engine light if it does it doesn't light up
Thanks

 

Sorry forgot to mention the engine does crank

 

ignition coil? easy two screw fix. cheap and some thing to try.

if it is the spark control computer it gets expensive quickly

 

When you turn the ignition part way, is the fuel pump going on also?

I had the same problem with my Dakota, I could pour gasoline into the engine and it would run briefly, and the fuel pump would run when I connected it to power, but the splice that everyone refers to (listed as a known problem in the FAQ with some good pictures) would sometimes make a connection and sometimes wouldn't. I had to strip the wires back quite a bit to get to some good copper to fix the splice.

Are you getting a spark?

 

Cheap? YES! Easy? Not even, mine were so rusted that when I finally got them to turn they both snapped. I had to drill out the remaining screw bits and since I was short on time (as usual) I had to tie-wrap the coil in until I have time to tap the holes and put new screws in. Whos brilliant idea was it to use phillips-head screws for something like that, knowing that it will rust. The least they could've done is use a hex-head bolt for that application, or was it perhaps the dingleberry previous owner that used the screws. Doesn't matter now, the tie-wraps are holding up quite well for now...hehe. Hope it gets warms soon!

 

Right now I would assume no spark as the A-17 wire controls the coil and relays and I have 0 voltage coming off of it