Hey all,

I'm glad I found this forum. :-) Lots of great info. I did do a search about the ASD and fuel pump issues. However, I'm not quite sure which might go to my problem.

Up until this morning, my truck was running fine. No issues, except for the "bouncing" fuel gauge. But I figured that was a faulty wire and left it at that. It's been doing that for probably a year now or so. About a month or two ago, I decided to replace my O2 sensor. The truck has 150k miles on it and I figure that it's never been replaced. Plus, it didn't seem like the truck had much power any longer. I have a 1994 Dakota SLT with the 3.9 V6 automatic trans. So, I heard that sometimes replacing the O2 sensor will revive some of it's power. When I pulled the old sensor off, I did notice that one of the wires (gray one, I do believe) was pretty chafed and was probably touching metal. So, I replaced the unit with a new one. The truck ran much better and seemed to have more "get up and go" now. I was happy.

Now, up until this morning, my truck was running okay. I went out this morning to go to work and bam...won't start. Turns over just fine, but won't start. I don't think I heard the fuel pump go on when I turned the key to on, but then again, you do it very day, sometimes you don't notice if you ever heard it before or not. Hehehe..

So my question is (sorry about the long intro!)...might it be the ASD relay or the actual fuel pump? How can I determine the difference? I'm wondering if me replacing the O2 sensor had some effect on this or is it just coincidence? I don't want to go out and start replacing everything if it's not necessary. Then again, if an ASD relay isn't that much, then I might as well. But my question is...with that bare wire I found on the old O2 sensor, would that have maybe caused the ASD relay to fry itself? If so...why would it all of a sudden die now, especially since I already replaced the O2 sensor? I'm hoping to fix it today because I have to get to work tomorrow and live far from work. No one to take me. LOL

Any help would be truly appreciated.

Regards,
Mat

 

Check to see if you have spark. If you have spark then the ASD relay is fine, andI would start checking the fuel system.

Oh, and I think it's just a coincidence.

 

Yup...I have spark and even checked the relay by using another relay. Nothin'. Every time I turned the key on, I didn't hear anything from the gas tank/fuel pump. So, I think it's shot. I bit the bullet and ordered one. Is supposed to be here later today. The fun part is going to be working on the truck in the street because I can't frickin' move it.

Plus, I have to search on how to relieve the pressure before I drop the tank.

 

if the pump is bad you wont have much if any pressure to relieve,however,somewhere on the fuel rail is a small fitting that looks like the fitting thats used to check the ac lines,it most likely has a black plastic cap screwed on it,take the cap off and there is a small valve like a tire valve,just push it down with something small,but dont stand directly in front of it as high pressure gas may squirt out!
butch

 

I dont' think you'll have to worry about the pressure because your pump is bad. Have youchecked for fuel pressure?If you want to make sure though just pull the fuel pump relay and crank the engine for a few seconds. That will relieve any extra pressure. Another test you can do is hook a test light to the power and ground of the plug that hooks to the top of the fuel pump. When you turn the key to the run position the light should go on for a few seconds and shut off. Then crank the engine and the light should turn on and stay on until you stop (it might flicker slightly). This is an easy test to check that everything is working up to the pump to see if the pump is truely bad.

 

I would dump some fuel down the TB. and see if it will start. when my pick up coil went I had spark for some reason (it was weak though) and I had no fuel. so I replaced that and it started right up.

 

Well...I already ordered the fuel pump, so it better be it! LOL The tank is now out of the truck. Just waiting for the part to come in within an hour or so. Then I'll go get it and put it into the tank.

I was thinkin' of doing the gas down the TB thing, but I didn't have any around actually...and wasn't going to walk to the gas station to get some to try it...the parts store was actually closer. LOL

Although I'm trying to put two and two together and hoping that since I don't have any sound, didn't smell any gas when trying to start, made sure the ASD relay was okay and my fuel gauge has been bouncing for about a year now...I'm guessing it's the fuel pump. But again...I might be wrong..and probably am. LOL

Oh, as for the fuel pressure. I found a pressure nozzle (well, Schreder valve) up by the MPI. I pushed it in and there was zero pressure. None at all. Same thing when I took the tank off. there was a little bit of gas leakage from the line, but that was it. Nothin. So, I'm hoping that helps a bit.

I really appreciate everyone's help. :-)

 

Well, I thought I'd finish up my post with the results.

After getting the new fuel pump last night, I went to install it into the tank. Looked at the new pump and found a crack all the way up the plastic. Not a little one, but the entire way up. It just wasn't my day. LOL Anyway, I got the new fuel pump replaced and put it in the tank and just got done putting the tank back into the truck. After two turns of the key, she started right up and appears to run fine. No hesitation, no issues, nothing. I need to get gas today anyway, so now we'll see if it fixed the bouncing gas gauge issue...which I'm sure it did due to the new pump having a new sending unit on it as well.

Thanks again to everyone for the help. I truly appreciated it. Kick azz forum here!

 

Nice. Glad that's all it was.