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94 dodge Dakota starting and running problems

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Old Sep 26, 2017 | 04:40 PM
  #21  
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I can check the ground by installing a new ground only thing I did see was I pulled the crank sensor and it has a crack all the way down it to the end. Thought that might affect something. Had the dealer order one should be here tomorrow.
 
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Old Sep 26, 2017 | 05:21 PM
  #22  
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That is likely to be a large part of your problem....... It would also explain why you had consistent weak spark....... Let us know if that does indeed fix it.
 
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Old Sep 27, 2017 | 07:57 PM
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Problem not solved guys replaced the crank sensor and same thing. Went ahead and tried giving the coil a better ground and still no help.
 
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Old Sep 27, 2017 | 08:58 PM
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You say you thought it might need a tune up. If you already did the cap and rotor as suggested you only need a set of Champion plugs (dealer spec) and good wires. If you go that route pay attention to this TSB on wire routing. It made a lot of difference in how my truck (94 3.9) runs in hot weather. http://dodgeram.info/tsb/1998/18-48-98/18-48-98-v6.htm
I'd start going through the FSM and check every ground wire for integrity, the battery wires +- and the wires to the starter just to be sure the path from the battery into the vehicle is solid. Something seems to be shorting ot. Oh yea there is a cam sensor under the rotor in the dizzy you might check on and replace too.
 
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Old Sep 27, 2017 | 09:21 PM
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Already checked/cleaned the connectors at the PCM?
 
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Old Sep 27, 2017 | 09:50 PM
  #26  
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Okay new update I went ahead and put on cap and rotor and installed new camshaft sensor so those are not causing it either the connections at the pcm what's best way to clean them?
 
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Old Sep 27, 2017 | 11:11 PM
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Cleaned terminals on pcm with electronic cleaner and checked other plugs next to PCM. All good and still same issue. Also have cleaned all grounds on firewall and I have tried giving the coil another ground and no difference. Tried supplying it 12 volts from battery no help. Any ideas ? Kinda losing my mind over here lol.
 
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Old Sep 28, 2017 | 03:04 PM
  #28  
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Go after the PCM grounds. Especially the couple on the power steering pump bolt. I don't know if that is where the PCM actually grounds the coil to..... if it isn't, I would pay close attention to that one too.

Its also possible that the driver for the coil in the PCM is just getting weak....... do the grounds first.
 
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Old Sep 28, 2017 | 03:56 PM
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Where are all actual regular grounds or pcm grounds other than firewall located at? And is there a way to test coil driver in the pcm?
 
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Old Sep 28, 2017 | 04:22 PM
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If you look in the FSM the wiring diagrams are in Chap 8W Ground distribution is 8W-15-1 There are a couple FSMs in the FAQ section. One is the 95 which is good enough for most of the 94 work you might do.
 
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