I posted an earlier thread about trying to diagnose the problem as a fuel pump issue. Here is what I have so far:

1996 3.9L Dakota would randomly stall while idling. It became more frequent until it just up an stopped all together. I cleaned the IAC valve to hopefully solve the idling issue, and it worked fine...for one trip to work and back. Tried to start the next day, engine cranked, but didn't fire. Waited another day to start the truck and the engine just began to fire and then quickly stopped. Tried to fire it up again and nothing again. Then, I checked for a problem with the fuel pump. No check engine lights. Fuel pump relay works fine. Battery is fine. Tested fuel pressure and it was right at the bottom of the accepted pressure range...44 PSI. Poured gas in the throttle body and tried to start the engine and nothing.

Then I moved on to the ignition system. Checked the spark plugs and they are all fine, turned the key over and they all sparked when next to metal. Figured maybe that my battery is just to the point of being bad so I tried another battery and the engine would still not fire. Still no check engine light either. Next, i checked the ASD relay and it was fine. Then I checked from the splice that everyone talks about. Opened up the tape around the wires and the splice looks fine. The I tested the terminals in the PDC for voltage. Terminals 30 read 12V and 86 read 12V with ignition on.

Terminal 85 only read 0-2V when I tried to start the engine. So looks like this could be the problem? I soldered the splice but that didn't change anything.

If possible I would like to fix the issue myself. I only have "named-brand" mechanics around me that will charge ridiculous fees, plus the towing price. If it's going to be an electrical problem then it looks like I will have to fork up the money.

Any suggestions?

 

You sure your getting spark to ALL plugs when the engine doesn't start? It may be a bad crank sensor or pick-up coil/cam sensor.

Are ALL injectors spraying good spray patterns?