91 Dakota 5.2 No Spark
Champion
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 4,737
Likes: 374
From: Northwest Louisiana
Hey y'all, I could use some help here. Got a 99 Dakota. 5.2, Automatic, 4x4. Bought it non-running. The guy said it died on him going down the road. He put 2 grand into trying to get it running again and no luck. Its got no spark. It's brand new: Crank position sensor, cam position sensor, cap, rotor, coil, ECU, fuel pump, battery, and alternator. No spark at all. Don't know if it's getting fuel, but I don't smell any. I think there might be corrosion under the fuse box that could be causing the issue, but not sure. Any help is appreciated!
RwP
Registered User
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 4
Likes: 1
I checked the relays (basically I swapped the ASD relay and the fuel pump relay with ones that I knew were working) and still the same. I won't have access to the truck again until Friday. What do you mean by splices? Like where sections of the wiring harness meet or branch off, or something else? Thanks for the quick responses!
Champion
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 4,737
Likes: 374
From: Northwest Louisiana
Yes, that's exactly what a splice is. There's one that's notorious for failing; it's inside the wiring bundle, so you get to strip the tape off to find it.
Be sure to use auto grade tape to re-tape it; the cheap electrical won't last under the hood for even a month in Louisiana in August. (Don't ask how I know ... )
RwP
Be sure to use auto grade tape to re-tape it; the cheap electrical won't last under the hood for even a month in Louisiana in August. (Don't ask how I know ... )
RwP
Registered User
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 4
Likes: 1
When I pull that wiring apart, what am I looking for? Corrosion, wires just not being connected, or both? If there is corrosion, should I just cut the wires back a little bit and splice them back together with crimp connectors?
Champion
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 4,737
Likes: 374
From: Northwest Louisiana
And no, they need to be stripped and soldered; you'll probably have to extend a few of them also.
RwP
Thread Starter
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Registered User
Joined: Aug 2020
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I just wanted to update on my problem. I used the Hollander parts website and found an ECU at a junkyard near Atlanta so I made the 3 hour trip to pick it up and it seems to have fixed my problem. The truck has been running good for about 3 days now!
Registered User
Joined: Sep 2020
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Well... I found the issue and the truck is running great! Absolute champ of a motor. Turns out the issue was sabotage. Someone snipped the ASD wire about two inches from the ECU to stop it from getting spark. And when they put the new fuel pump in, they pinched the fuel line in two spots and stopped the motor from getting any fuel. Fixed both of those, now it runs great! It has a CRAPLOAD of miles on it but I love it! 2 door, 5.2, automatic, 4x4, two tone blue and silver... Gorgeous truck with a WHOPPING 327,000 miles on a motor that's never been opened up! But it runs like it's brand new! Gotta love a dodge!