I am new to site and i would like to learn the ins and outs of my 1993 dakota!
I am a student at UCM (University of Central Missouri)...... It seems like ive been in school since WWII.... im 22 y/o and am studying Construction Management.
I have owned a few Rangers, but i made the switch to a Dakota. I was in the market for a extended cab small truck of any kind. I found one at an auction and i picked it up for a decent price.
This is what i got....
1993
Ext cab
Automatic
135,000 original miles
5.2L V8
Fender Flares
Bed Liner
American Racing Rims
etc etc...
For $1,300 (Kelly blue books for $2,700)

Body has no rust, but on the driver side the paint is peeling or scratched. Overall the body is in great shape.

I havent had much time to tinker with it but i have found a few problems so far. It seems like overdrive is going out.
After driving for anywhere form 15-30 mins..... it will die. It just cuts out and dies. I am almost certain that it is not getting fuel to the engine, because if i shoot some either into it, it will start up for a brief moment. It has been cold here so i put HEET in it plus i put a bottle of fuel line cleaner..... but it hasnt worked. After a while of sitting (30 mins - hour) it will start up like there is no problem.

I saw in the FAQ that there is something about a splice under the fuse box that sometimes goes bad???? I couldnt find anymore information about it. Could someone point me in the right way? I figure that i could try that first instead of replacing my fuel pump/filters. (it would really suck for me to replace the fuel pump because i FILLED the tank up, plus i dont have a shop to do it correctly.)

Thanks

I can deal with overdrive going out, because i do mostly in-town driving.
I cant deal with breaking down every 15-30 mins.

 

Ok, thanks for moving it!

Any ideas?
Thanks in advance for any help that you can give me!

 

Hey Welcome to the group!

My parents live in Warrensburg so I know that area well!

I have a '93 5.2 as well and I think I can help you out. First thing you want to do is take something hard and blunt and tap lightly on the fuel filter. The filter is a black canister underneath the box on the drivers side bolted to the frame. If the truck runs for a while then dies, and you tap on that fuel filter and it starts up again and runs where normally it would have died then you should replace that filter. Its fairly cheap like 15 bucks if I remember. Once you replace that, two simple hose clamps and the clamp to secure it to the frame, if it still continues to do the same thing, then you need to replace the fuel pump. I JUST did this exact same song and dance about a month and a half ago.

 

Nothing was wrong with that splice in yours?
I hit the fuel filter on the frame a few times when i broke down a couple of days ago, but still nothing. It was quite a while after hitting the filter before it started. Is that normal? Does it take a few times of turning the ignition to get the fuel to the motor?

I just found a wiring diagram for my truck.... but im not understanding it the best...lol.

 

I have had no problems at all with my electrical system. The next thing you could try is lightly tapping on the gas tank and see if it will start after stalling then. If that still doesnt seem to help then see if you cant borrow a fuel pressure guage. The fuel rail on the driver side has the port that you can connect to. And without attempting to start the truck just turn it into the on position and see what the fuel guage says you are getting for pressure.

 

I actually made a post (https://dodgeforum.com/forum/1st-gen...fuel-pump.html) about replacing the fuel pump and how much easier it is to lift the box up instead of dropping the tank. That would be especially true in your case with a full tank.

I am not sure what fuse links the fuel pump and trying to get up into the wires to check with a multimeter would be pretty difficult with the box still on. Checking the fuel pressure while in the on position then watching to see if it drops just as it starts to die will tell you a lot.

 

The truck is actually up in Lees Summit, so i wont be able to do anything until Saturday. I will just go ahead and replace the fuel filter on the frame. I will also check the fuel pressure.

Is there any fuel filters other than the one in the tank and the one on the frame?
Do auto parts stores lend out fuel pressure gauges?
Where exactly is the port? How exactly do i check it? (Sorry, I can turn a wrench, but i dont have too much knowledge with specifics on vehicles)

Thanks again!

 

I have let the truck idle for 15-20 mins a few times to warm up, and it has never died doing that. It only has died when driving it. It has died when i came off a highway, pulling away from a sonic, and coming up to a stop light.

 

Its cool. To my knowledge there are no other fule filters besides the one on the pump and on the frame that was previsouly mentioned. We kinda of lucked out as in 94 they stopped putting the filter on the frame so the one inside the tank was the only one.

Some parts places do. But if you get into a tight spot I might be able to run down to warrensburg Not this weekend but the following weekend and you can use mine.

The port is on the fuel rail (a aluminum looking tube) on the intake manifold and the port should have a black cap on it much like a valve stem. I can post a pick of it up here soon. The fuel pump guage will look a lot like a round tire pressure guage on one end and a adapter that you screw onto the fuel rail on the other. You just take off the black (valve stem cap) cap off and screw the fuel pressure guage on it. Make sure its snug to prevent leaks. A needle and dial will indicate what kind of pressure its reading.