When I start my 94 Dakota 3.9L if it does not start the first time because I forgot to pump the gas or didn't hold the key long enough if I just turn the key again the whole engine jumps and there is a loud but muted sound of a cylinder firing once or possibly a detonation in the throttle body/intake manifold. If I turn the key all the way off or just wait 5-10 seconds this doesn't happen.

I know I know "Then don't do that." I was just wondering if it indicated something.
I have the thing running pretty good at times it is great and jumps when I punch it or just ask it to go it responds instantly as it should, then at other times it falls back into giving me the mushy peddle and all that power under the hood going out the tailpipe and an almost tangential connection to my gas peddle action and how the wheels turn.
I've ordered the TV cable. I'm considering an attempt at the transmission bands too.

 

Okay just a little FYI pumping the gas pedal before you start does nothing the ECM injects priming fuel from the injector automaticly before it starts. Its predetonation in the intake plenum the fuel injectors are in the intake runners not the cylinder when you wait after it doesn't start allows the vaporized fuel to disperse in the intake. Whats happening when you floor it sometimes and it bogs down is a lag in the ECM my 93 manual does the same thing even after I changed out the ECM for another unrelated reason.

 

Thanks