Help!!
I have a 1999 Dakota with a 3.9, automatic and 2wd. I cleaned the battery terminals and now it won't start.
Battery and connections to battery are fine, cracks good.
Plugs are getting spark.
Fuel pump runs for a few seconds when ignition is turned to the RUN position.
Fuel pressure at test port on fuel rail is about 48PSI.
I thought it might be flooded, all plugs have been replaced.

What do I check next?

JP

 

Does it try to turn over at all? Does it make a "clicking" noise when you try to start it? Also did it work fine before you cleaned the terminals? And are any of the battery cables corroded?

 

99dakota318
Thanks for the reply.

It does sound like it is trying to start about every 8 revs. I don't here any clicking noise while it is cranking. It was working fine, but with winter coming I thought I would do a little preventive maintainence by cleaning the terminals. They were not excessively corroded, I have seen a lot worse.

JP

 

do yourself a favor and wash the entire battery, with water and baking soda. that will clean off nearly all corrosion. let it dry off then put it on a trickle charge.

 

UPDATE

Rechecked fuel pressure today. Tightened gauge on port. Fuel pressure is close to 70 psi when cranking.

Does this mean regulator is bad and possible forcing fuel through injectors, flodding engine? Or is a higher then specified (44-55psi?) OK.

I am assuming regulator is part of the pump assembly.

JP

f0x672-Thanks for the battery tip. Will do that while waiting for a reply.

 

did you check to see if you have spark?

 

sounds like you have enough to crank the engine, but not evenough to keep up with spark and cranking. I would double check your connections. Sounds like they may not be on properly. Just check it out.

 

If the battery and terminals are ok, my next best bet would be distributor pickup. If that is bad, you won't have any spark.

 

UPDATE II

Towed to the shop yesterday. Diagnosed a bad pump. Pressure spiking to over 100 PSI. Pump assembly replaced, runs like a top ($900 dollars later).

JP