I have a 95 Dakota with 3.9 V6 and automatic transmission. I had to replace the ignition switch and battery. Now the engine turns over but I don't have any spark at the coil. I checked the fuel pump and ASD relays and when the key is turned on they both pull in for about 3 seconds and then drop back out. I have not had time to try to check the codes since I just found out about the key dance on off to get codes. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

 

If the truck was starting and running before you changed the ignition switch I would concentrate on the ignition switch and all the wiring. Also make sure to double check any and all wiring you might have had to take loose to remove the switch. Make sure to check all wiring at the battery to make sure a wire wasnt left off from the positive or negative side. If the only thing that has changed on the truck since it was running until now its not is the ignition switch and battery then it has to be something to do with one or the other unless you left the battery connected when you changed the switch and could have shorted something out. check all your fuses then concentrate on the switch and battery.

 

The switch was shorted out and it killed the battery that was 8 years old so switch was replaced while battery was removed. I have checked all wiring and fuses as well as relays and found no problems. I checked all of the splices under the fuse box under the hood and found no problems. When I do the code check with that on off key dance I get 2 codes . Code 12 which should be that the battery has been disconnected and 54 which is no cam signal at PCM. I checked the wires from the cam sensor to the PCM and they ohm ok. Can the cam sensor be cleaned or does it need to be replaced? When the switch shorted out I lost power to part of the fuse block under the dash but the truck would still start. Now everything else one the truck works and it turns over strong but still no start.
Thanks

 

The cam sensor is a hall effect switch and can not be cleaned. Ive never tried testing the ones on the dakotas but you should be able to test it. it will show a on off on off etc with a 5volt reference. I havnt checked the schematics but there should be 3 wires a power supply (5volts) a ground and a reference wire that allows the 5volt on off to the pcm. start by checking that it has the 5volt supply, if it does then find the reference wire and pin between the ref wire and ground then slowly turn the engine over and check voltage. it should go 5v,0v,5v,0v etc. If it does that then its good. Usally if it has a good ground and the 5volt supply then the sensor is bad. Ill get my schematics out and look at the wiring.

 

This should help you out with the cam sensor. All wiring is running back to the pcm. pin 4 is the sensor return pin 44 is the cam sensor pickup and pin 7 is the 8 volt supply to sensor.

 

Thanks for the help. I found that the wire from the sensor had been pinched and was broken about 6 in from the distributor. Repaired the wires and it started right up and runs like a champ. This is a very good forum and there is a lot of good information . Again thanks for all the help and I hope this can help someone else.

 

Your very welcome and that is what we are all here for. If you ever have any more problems or questions feel free to ask and one of us will help you out. Also if you haven't checked out the FAQS I&II there is alot of helpful information in there also.