96 Dakota V6 multi-port injection 145k

Here is my story:
Bought my truck for cheap with a lifter knock and CEL on (CEL is for voltage on temp sensor). I replaced lifters rods and rockers. Time chain was good and is equipped with the tensioner. Did not give it a tune up but knew it needed it. I knew I needed to replace the fuel pump because it would lose pressure right after engine was killed. And wouldnt start right off the bat unless the pump was actuated 3 times before engaging the starter. Fuel pressure was also several pound low. Truck was sluggish and no real power of course. Starting it was fine but it would glug around for a bit and then come out of it. Gas mileage was around 17.

I finally bought the 200 dollar pump and replace it. Truck ran noticeably better. BUT now when I kill the engine and try to restart anytime within a hour or so I would just turn and turn and then glug and then die. Acted like it was flooding and black smoke from exhaust. I thought well maybe spark is weak and all that gas its getting is now is flooding it. So I check plugs and wire resistance and coil, ended up replacing wires, coil, plugs, cap and rotor. Same problem but now at least it will glug for 5-15 seconds and come out it. Mileage is now under 15. Truck runs pretty good though when it running... Also replaced the temp senor in there somewhere but the voltage for the temp sensor still threw a code and the TPS was too. So I replace the TPS.

So I started thinking it was the temp sensor voltage thing screwing things up. I ran a new wire from the sensor to the dash think the wire was shorting out somewhere but the code remained… I am not aware of this wire going anywhere other than straight from the sensor to the gauge. The gauge reads a little left of middle (cool side) at normal operating and a little to the right when AC in being used. I am missing something somewhere though. That wire has to go to the computer somewhere right? Doesn’t the computer need to know what the temp of the truck is to determine how much gas and air mix and what not? The ECU is on the passenger fender right? Is there something coming from the gauge to the ECU?

Today I replaced the MAP sensor thinking that might be it but no luck. I am tired of hanging parts on this truck… Any suggestions? I am truly frustrated at this point.

PS Truck idles at around 700 pretty consistently so I wasn’t thinking a vacuum leak and the vacuum pressure was in range of the specs.



I know this is novel but i am just trying to be thorough.

 

There are two temperature sensors - the one on the passenger side of the upper radiator hose (that has a single wire running to it) is for the dash gauge only.
The one on the drivers side of the upper hose (which has 2 wires running to it) goes to the computer.
Try replacing the sensor, and see if that helps any.

 

Ya what he said. This will help.

 

Thanks guys i will hunt this one down this evening.
Looks like it might be a little hard to get to?

 

That did it! Issue resolved. That thing was a pain to get to. Had to move the ac off to the side and I didnt wait for it to cool down much lol. HOT! Thank you guy so much. I was beating my head against the wall on this one. I thought that one sending unit was the only temp sensor, and autozone was more of a hinder than a help.