and it's getting worse. Now it sometimes stalls out completely. Then it won't start until I wait about 1/2 hour.

I initially thought it might be a clogged fuel filter so I replaced it. (you know the one located under the driver seat, bolted to the frame.) But that didn't help.

It feels like it is starving for fuel but I don't know what else. Is there another fuel filter somewhere?

Thanks for help.

'89 Dodge Dakota. First Generation. V-6 3.9L

 

How many miles on the truck? It sounds like the fuel pump is getting ready to pack it in and head south. It will take longer and longer before it starts again and eventually, it won't run at all. Don't dawdle, when they start doing this, it won't be long. You'll need a new fuel pump if this is the case. You can either run the tank almost empty and drop it, or you can unbolt the bed from the frame and lift it up on the left side. Myself, I usually take the bed off and then clean underneath and do a lot of work, like shock replacement, while it's off.

 

Your post made me think the exhaust may be plugged. Either the muffler or CAT. If you have a point and shoot thermometer get the truck up to full temp and the back outlet of the CAT should be a lot hotter than the front inlet. There is also a vacuum test you can do to determine if exhaust is plugged. You can find it on YT

 

Check fuel pressure first before going into that job.

 

How are your ignition components? Distributor cap, rotor, spark plugs, etc?

 

Mine would just cut out (never went to half power) I changed lots of stuff ending with the PCM. Have a whole big thread on this forum dedicated to it.

Agree with Grouch. Is easy to access fuel pump by lifting the truck bed (at least it was on my 93). I just lifted it on the fuel pump side. Removed all eight bolts (I had three missing), detached spare tire lift tube that ran thru bumper, detach tail light harnesses, then lift with a jack. No big deal. Just block it up in case it falls off the jack.

 

Thanks everyone. I'm replacing the fuel pump today. I'll be dropping the tank. I have a Ridgid gang box and a plastic bed liner so it's easier to drop the tank.I wish I had more time to respond to all of the thoughtful replies. I'll let you know when I'm done and the results. Thanks, Jim

 

While the tank is down, replace all the rubber hoses you can under there if possible.

RwP

 

Well, I got it down, replaced the pump, and bolted it all back in place to the best of my ability, but I'm not getting gas to the engine. Is there any priming involved? or any details I might have missed? Do I have to relieve any airlocks?

If it's not something simple, I will drop the tank again to see If I left something loose. Thanks for any suggestions.

 

When you turn the key on, can you hear the pump run for a moment to charge the system? Did the old pump have any crud around the sock on the pump? Sometimes the pumps are pretty quiet but you can hear them with the cap open. Have you swapped the fuel pump relay with a known good one like for the a/c system?