96 Dakota, 4 cylinder. I tested for blown fuses, fuel, and so far I found no spark. Any pointers in testing the distributor or coil which I suspect may be the problem?

Thanks in advance!

 

Check for proper power at the relay box. For the ASD and Fuel Pump relays. Earlier years had bad problems with the power splices that feeds the relays. Also check the crank position sensor.

 

Engine still cranking but it does not start.

Checked for power at the ASD and Fuel Pump relays. Both have 12V when the ignition key is switch to the on position.

Both relays tested and work as well.

Checked the Crank positioning sensor ( per shop manual ) and it checks OK.

Still troubleshooting...

 

subscribe, my truck is doin the same thing only it has a 5.2v8

 

Crazy4x4RT, you were right, it was the Crank Position Sensor. I had to rule a bunch of things out first before spending 62 bucks on the sensor. Thanks for pointing me in the right direction.

dodgetruck2, hope this helps you....

Also, at first I tested the Crank Position Sensor the following way: With an ohm meter set to 1k - 10k, I tested terminal B and C, and if no resistance then the sensor was OK, and it showed 0 resistance. But then I set the ohm meter to 200 ohms or less and it did detect resistance, very small though. So that was my cue to replace it.

Also, I downloaded the shop manual from this forums and it helped me tremendously. Otherwise I may have been as good as blind.

So here is a sequence of events:

I had 12 v at the ASD Relay and Fuel Pump relay, I had Fuel ( disconnected the gas line at the fuel rail, turn on the key and it would squirt gas for a split second ) I measured voltage at the Ignition Coil plug and out of the coil as well. So I had fuel and proper voltage to the coil and from the coil. But if the Crank sensor is not working it will not send a signal to the PCM, which in return, will not send gas or spark to the engine.

A clue that the sensor needed to be replaced was long cranks, it would take a bit longer it seemed as weeks went on, until it finally just stopped working.

 

Allright thanks, where is the sensor located?

 

Rear of the engine in between the engine and transmission on the passenger side.

 

thank you, any help to the location of the shop manual you mentioned would be great I will spend any free time I have looking for it but free time does pop up much around here. When I get it I waste it on these forum

 

The service manual is downloadable from the FAQ in this section, just a few posts above this one.