new member with ignition problems (I think)
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new member with ignition problems (I think)
New to the forum, need help.... Ok, I think this is a common Dodge problem, I will try to keep it short, but if you seen this problem, you know that may be a bit much to ask.
96 Dodge dakota 2.5L (4 cyl) OHV
Symptom: Within a week, truck died while driving, but picked back up again. 3RD time was the charm, died for good.
Troubleshoot: Found no spark from coil to distributor. Replaced coil, didn't fix the problem. Went round and round with naming and terms used by people I know and auto parts store and truck book (pick-up coil/hall effect pick-up/ distributor module/pain in my a##). Sorry, a little frustration there. Decided to replace distributor, as it came with the piece previously mentioned. Truck started right up and ran for 3 days. You guessed it, another toe truck trip. Back to trouble shooting. Seen a lot of people mention the crankshaft sensor, pulled one from a junk yard, no help (I know, this isn't the safest way to prove something out, so it could still be the crankshaft sensor).
Next step, tried the procedure in the Haynes book: pin 2 and 3 if the distributor wire harness toggled together (with key one) looking for a spark from the coil to distributor side, no spark. I did hear what I think is the fule pump turn on and the automatic shutdown relay clicked (I also swapped my relays around in the beginning, just to be safe). NOTE, the wire colors in the Haynes book don't seem to match the distributor colors.
Does anyone know of any tests I can perform on the sensors/distributor wires? Any guidance would be greatly appreciated. I also seen mention of "go to FAQ and download the service manual". Went there, can't find it, can anyone provide a link please? Thank you for any reply or if you just want to vent the same frustration I am going through........
96 Dodge dakota 2.5L (4 cyl) OHV
Symptom: Within a week, truck died while driving, but picked back up again. 3RD time was the charm, died for good.
Troubleshoot: Found no spark from coil to distributor. Replaced coil, didn't fix the problem. Went round and round with naming and terms used by people I know and auto parts store and truck book (pick-up coil/hall effect pick-up/ distributor module/pain in my a##). Sorry, a little frustration there. Decided to replace distributor, as it came with the piece previously mentioned. Truck started right up and ran for 3 days. You guessed it, another toe truck trip. Back to trouble shooting. Seen a lot of people mention the crankshaft sensor, pulled one from a junk yard, no help (I know, this isn't the safest way to prove something out, so it could still be the crankshaft sensor).
Next step, tried the procedure in the Haynes book: pin 2 and 3 if the distributor wire harness toggled together (with key one) looking for a spark from the coil to distributor side, no spark. I did hear what I think is the fule pump turn on and the automatic shutdown relay clicked (I also swapped my relays around in the beginning, just to be safe). NOTE, the wire colors in the Haynes book don't seem to match the distributor colors.
Does anyone know of any tests I can perform on the sensors/distributor wires? Any guidance would be greatly appreciated. I also seen mention of "go to FAQ and download the service manual". Went there, can't find it, can anyone provide a link please? Thank you for any reply or if you just want to vent the same frustration I am going through........
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From: NM
The FAQ is in the 1st Generation Dakota sub-forum. Now that your post is moved it is a few posts above this one.
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From: Bridgeport, CT
Inside the the FAQ Forum, there is a article and picture I believe of a common problem with the truck not getting spark it's a slice that sits under the fuse box under the hood. That might be your issue. I as well have a 1996 Dodge Dakota with a 2.5, and this forum has helped me out a great deal. Very rarely do the distributor's go with the engine you have, the splice is common on all of the engines. As for the CPS, I would never buy one from a junkyard, I believe in saving money as well but for certain things it has to be new. But under the things you just listed it sounds like you have the splice because you went for everything besides the ECU that would create the spark.
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Thanks Chris, I will give it a shot
Inside the the FAQ Forum, there is a article and picture I believe of a common problem with the truck not getting spark it's a slice that sits under the fuse box under the hood. That might be your issue. I as well have a 1996 Dodge Dakota with a 2.5, and this forum has helped me out a great deal. Very rarely do the distributor's go with the engine you have, the splice is common on all of the engines. As for the CPS, I would never buy one from a junkyard, I believe in saving money as well but for certain things it has to be new. But under the things you just listed it sounds like you have the splice because you went for everything besides the ECU that would create the spark.
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From: Bridgeport, CT
The splice that is talked about in the FAQ Section is located under the hood of the truck inside the fuse box. Now it's not uncommon to have a 1997 Dist in your truck. You have to realize that the motor your truck has is fairly uncommon, it's actually a AMC motor, that was used in the Dakotas for one year only, then was placed into Jeep Wranglers and Cherokee's. The motor was produced from 1996-2002, it's a modified 4.0 from a Jeep with 2 Cylinders hacked off which turned it into a 153ci. The only difference from the motor in your truck and a Jeep is a hole in the back of the block that needs to be plugged up for it to go into your truck from a Jeep. Your truck like mine is basically a mutt. You've got a Jeep Motor in a Dodge Body, but there is also a couple issues I have found with the motor that might happen as well. Had it happen to me once 2 times already except this last time I made sure it ain't happening for a long time. And that is that the back 2 pistons do tend to break and or shatter (caught mine before they shattered but still basically blew the motor) so I did a full motor rebuild but I bored out the block .020 over stock. They are a strong motor, and can treat you really good if you take care of them. Sorry I don't mean to rant, but I've read to much on this motor and know how much it can fight back if it chooses to.
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The splice that is talked about in the FAQ Section is located under the hood of the truck inside the fuse box. Now it's not uncommon to have a 1997 Dist in your truck. You have to realize that the motor your truck has is fairly uncommon, it's actually a AMC motor, that was used in the Dakotas for one year only, then was placed into Jeep Wranglers and Cherokee's. The motor was produced from 1996-2002, it's a modified 4.0 from a Jeep with 2 Cylinders hacked off which turned it into a 153ci. The only difference from the motor in your truck and a Jeep is a hole in the back of the block that needs to be plugged up for it to go into your truck from a Jeep. Your truck like mine is basically a mutt. You've got a Jeep Motor in a Dodge Body, but there is also a couple issues I have found with the motor that might happen as well. Had it happen to me once 2 times already except this last time I made sure it ain't happening for a long time. And that is that the back 2 pistons do tend to break and or shatter (caught mine before they shattered but still basically blew the motor) so I did a full motor rebuild but I bored out the block .020 over stock. They are a strong motor, and can treat you really good if you take care of them. Sorry I don't mean to rant, but I've read to much on this motor and know how much it can fight back if it chooses to.
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From: Bridgeport, CT
The FAQ section is located here https://dodgeforum.com/forum/1st-gen...e-manuals.html and it talks about the splice, and as for the service manual I think they just took it down, I know it was talked about in the FAQ section but if you cannot find it I can email mine to you if you PM me your email adress.
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The FAQ section is located here https://dodgeforum.com/forum/1st-gen...e-manuals.html and it talks about the splice, and as for the service manual I think they just took it down, I know it was talked about in the FAQ section but if you cannot find it I can email mine to you if you PM me your email adress.
PM sent, thank you very much.
Norm
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