Hi, I have a 94 Dakota with a 5.2 liter, auto trans, and 4 wheel drive.

I've been having a problem recently where I will drive the truck around, it'll warm up. But then once I shut it off, it wont start again until it cools down (about an hour). It will crank and crank forever, got good voltage, has fuel pressure, and I'm pretty sure it's got spark.

Other than that, the truck runs excellent, and it's not throwing any codes.

Any ideas?
Thank you, and I hope you can help.

 

Possibly a bad ECT (engine coolant temp) sensor. This would be the one with 2 wires. The one with 1 wire is the ECT sending unit for dash gauge.

 

Okay, I'll replace that next.
The other thing that it does when it wont start is the check engine light wont come on when the key is in the "on" position. After it cools down the check engine light will come back on when the key is in the "on" position, and it will start...does that mean anything?

 

Do any other lights come on? Maybe the computer itself is getting too hot.

 

Yeah the other lights come on, like the oil pressure light and airbag light. Just that check engine light doesn't when it wont start. Weird, huh?

 

Update, first I bought that coolant sensor, wow...is there an easy way to change that? Maybe a deep socket? What size?

Also, I just realized that if I disconnect the battery for a minute or two the check engine light will work and the truck starts right away.