I have a 93 Dakota that will crank over and gets fuel and spark, but will not start unless I remover the air filter cover. If I replace the cover it will die a short time later. I thought it might be the crank sensor or the pcv valve so I changed both of them and it is still doing it.

It will run and drive if I leave the pcv valve disconnected.

 

What kind of shape is the tune up on that motor? How recently have plugs, wires, cap, rotor, and air filter been done?

Do you get any codes when you do the key dance?

RwP

 

Cap rotor and plags have around 10,000 miles on them. Wires closer to 40,000. Oil and air filters around 5,000. Not getting and codes from turning the ignition back and forth.

It does not seem to be a firing problem. It seems to be on the vacuum side. Like it is starving for air. There is no air restrictions I can see or hear.

 

Air filters are cheap; I'd try a new one.

Also, my next guess without on site diagnosis would be the IAC valve bad (it's purpose is to bleed air around the throttle body at idle; if it's plugged up or non-functional, you'd get a no-idle situation also.)

RwP

 

as far as running (or not) taking that cover off should have NO effect. How dirty is that filter? Mouse nest or wrapped up Tshirt in air box?