Just found this forum and seemed to be the most informative place. So, vehicle in question is a 1990 Dakota, it has the TBI 3.9 V6, automatic, a/c, 2x4, high mileage 150,000+. Will only start about half the time, and anywhere from 20 seconds to 2 minutes later it will die, then it will just turn over but not start for another few minutes. Before it dies it will struggle and hesititate for a moment. I removed the air filter housing while the engine was running and noticed the fuel injectors would stop spraying fuel, then start again, it will do this several times within a couple seconds before the injectors stop delivering fuel altogether and the engine dies (it does this regardless or what gear its in). So it appears to just stop delivering fuel shortly after starting. Reading around it appears the computers in these trucks are notorious for going bad and this is a common effect of a bad computer. Not sure how accurate this is as I did try a junkyard computer from the same model/year/drivetrain/etc... but no difference at all. Perhaps a bad junkyard part but I find it hard to believe. Compression is good as is all fluids, has spark on all cylinders, newer plugs. Any ideas, suggestions?

 

You may need a new fuel filter. That is something cheat to try.

 

Sure sounds like a bad fuel pump or clogged filter or bad fuel pressure regulator. First check your fuel pressure.

 

there is a fuel filter along the frame on the drivers side try that then fuel pump