I need some help! I have an 88 dakota with a 3.9 v6 and a 3 speed auto trans. 6 months ago I lost fuel and spark at the coil, since then I've replaced the ignition coil, the ecm, the fuel pump, and the asd relay, im at a loss and out of ideas. Please help !!

 

Do you have the factory service manual?

There's a fusible link that with age is getting ready to just fracture; I had the kickdown relay (part throttle unlock, or torque converter lockup - take your pick which you call it) coming apart so it blew the link.

Do you have 12V at the Dark Blue/Green wire at the ASD relay when the power is on? How about at the red wire?

Have you checked for continuity to and from the ignition switch itself? If that goes bad, you may have some really weird symptoms.

RwP

 

No I havent checked the ignition switch, I didnt think that would be it but tbh im runnin out of options, as far as the fusible link i havent found anything resembling one around the throttle unlock

 

The fusible link is in the wiring harness between the battery and the relays on the driver's side.

And it's an old school fusible link - a special hank of wire.

Look for the rubber splices; check between both sides.

RwP

 

Everything looks fine there
could a lack of power to the cab fuse box cause it not to start? Cause I have no power in the cab whatsoever
the horn works and I think the windows and locks work

 

Forgive me for being pedantic but did you actually open up the splice to look at the fusible link to see if it has broken/fused?

 

yeah I did and the lower splice was good but the Upper was kind sketchy so I spliced in a new segment to see if it'd help anything and there wasn't any difference

 

I'd be checking the connections in the bulkhead fitting to see if the lower power fittings have corroded any; that's been noted in a few trucks.

But yes, no power in the cab will cause it to not start, since the starter is switched through the cab ...

Do you have the factory service manual for your Dakota yet? May be time to start chasing the 12V and see where it stops.

RwP

 

Update finally, sorry it took so long, I have power at the pump again ( wires came undone) but I still have no power at the coil and no power to the cab. It cranks fine but nothing else aside from windows and locks works

I've replaced the distributor entirely
The capacitor by the coil
the coil itself
And the smec
Im not sure why I'm not getting power at the coil

How does the smec fire it?
Thanks in advance for the help so far
Slowly making progress

 

Im sorry to tell you, but I wanted to let you know, Ralph passed away about 2 years ago.