Twice in the last three weeks my 97 Dakota has left me stranded far from home.
First time drove 90 miles. Stopped for a while and it would not start. Engine turned but would not run. Did usual checks for fuel pump, did not hear pump. towed to the shop. next morning fires fine for ASE master mechanic and staff at the shop. 50# fuel pressure, no codes just a great running truck. I drove it home. to play it safe I swapped out the fuel pump (it has 250K miles on it). They this past weekend towed a trailered car 100 miles, dropped of the car drove 30 miles to pick up a car. Drove 10 miles and engine shut off. again engine would turn just fine but not fire. Towed it home, took it to local shop. ASE master mechanic and staff diagnosed it for over an hour and it ran fine for them. I've had the truck for 5 years now. found it abandoned and salvaged it. I've driven it from Seattle to San diego, San diego to Maine, Back to San diego. Played in the Baja with it. then drove it back to Seattle. It has always been super reliable. i have towed with it, gone camping in it used it for just about everything but now cant trust it.
Stats
1997 Dakota 4X4 extended cab
318 magnum
only modification made is remote oil filter location.

help please!

 

sorry..no help

but sounds like a good story/road trip

 

I don't know if this is a big problem with some of the early 2nd gens, but the 1st gen dakotas had a power splice under the distribution box that powered the ASD and fuel pump relays that was notorious for getting corroded and having a bad connection. This could be something to look into cause it would be an easy fix. There is a short write up about it in the 1st gen subforum under FAQs.

 

wow, had this posted for a week and only one reply of advice, (thanks 95 318 SLT).
with the quality of posts I've seen here I thought i'd have had a few more. 4th mechanic took a shot at it. thought maybe something with anti theft, but he cant figure it out either. sucks that a truck that has driven me coast to coast, (San diego to Maine) and run the baja now cant be trusted to drive it out of town...I'd love to find out what Gremlin is in there and get back to enjoying the truck!

 

Yeah again, weird problem and don't know what to tell you, but damnnn San Diego to Maine and back? I would love to do that.

 

san diego to maine after going seattle to san diego. Lots of Mexico time, then san diego to seattle. now cant trust it out of town and i'm carrying my mountain bike in the back incase i need a ride

 

Yea, I'd look into making sure the fuel pump relay and ASD (automatic shutdown relay) is getting power, and than sending power out to the items that receive power (fuel pump, ignition coil, and the fuel injectors, most notable).

 

where are those relays, and how do I check them?
Most of the time the truck runs fine.
It drove just fine a half hour ago, but next time I get in it might not start?