I have a 1990 dodge Dakota that I have no spark. I have replaced the pick up coil in the distributor, I have replaced the regular coil that plugs into the distributor cap. I have put a new distributor in it. And still no spark and no voltage coming out of the coil. I was told to change the camshaft or crankshaft sensor but I cant seem to find where this is located. I've been told its on the rear of the motor but ive looked and can find no suck part. I have also been told by a few people that the 1990 dakota 3.9L didnt have a camshaft sensor\, it just has the pickup coil in the distributor so I really dont know if it has a cran or cam shaft sensor or not. Anyway, I have changed the parts like I said above and still have no spark of any kind. I tried checking the fuse box under the dash but found no fuse's for ignition or anything like that. I checked with a test light and when I first turn the key on I get power to the main coil for about 5 seconds then once the rely clicks, the power stops to the coil. Is this normal? Where else could I check to find my problem. Any help on what to check next or if this truck has a crankshaft sensor on the block and what it looks like would be very helpful. Thank you.

 

I also checked the + wire that connects to the coild and when you turn the key on it has power that is sent to it for about 3-5 seconds then the power stops. With my lest light on the that + wire i turned the motor over to try to start it and my test light kept lighting up so Im guessing its sending power in spurts (kind of like when a park plu sparks). Is this a good thing? Thanks

 

I will move this to the 1st Generation Dakota sub-section.

 

Is the distributor rotor turning? (Meaning, when you crank or turn the engine over)
I had a no start/no spark condition. It turned out the timing chain had broken, which we easily found out from watching the distributor rotor as we cranked the engine over.
The starter would turn over the engine fine but it would not go self-contained (obviously, since the camshaft wasn't turning, so the valves weren't opening)

 

my 1990 dodge dakota sport 3.9 sometimes won't have spark if shifter isn't all the way in park. try shifting up & down once.

 

Crankshaft Position Sensor is on the rear of the passenger side block, right below the intake manifold. Two screws hold the CPS in, and the wires run to the driver side. This info is based off of a 93, may not be helpful for a 90, sorry.

Also, make sure you have fuel by turning the key to ign and listening for the 3 sec fuel pump prime.

 

im having similar problems. i have a 95 dakota 318 fuel injected and theres no spark. ive replaced the ign coil, cap, rotor, the switch under the cap, crank position sensor, and even the ecm. im stuck i heard that there could be a short in the wiring somewhere but i have no idea where to start. the ASD relay is kicking on and shutting off the power to the ign coil. i need some help.... anything can help

 

I had the same problem when i bought my dodge dakota scotty, the mechanic finally figured out that the computer (black box under the hood on left side) had went out... The thing even smelled like it had melted inside... after getting one from the junk yard and simly plugging it in its ran perfect for around 20k miles... hope this helps...