Hey, ok so this doesn't happen everytime I try to start my Dakota, but pretty often. When I turn the key one of three things happen... Either it just clicks and nothing happens, it tries to turn over but doesn't completely crank, or it will crank just fine... Yesterday I spent like 20 minutes trying to crank it.

What could be wrong? I have checked the starter, battery, and alternator and they are all fine when Oreily's plugged it up. I cleaned the throttle body, and it's running better but that didn't help the starting issue.

Can anyone help me out with trying to diagnose the problem?

 

Next time it won't start, don't keep trying to start it. Instead, use a volt-ohm meter and check the ignition switch. A Haynes book will have the directions on how to check the switch and the pin connector diagrams. Check for broken or loose wires in the wire harness on the bottom side of the steering column, especially if you have tilt steering.

If everything there is OK, this sounds like the Crankshaft Position Sensor (CKP) could be bad. It's not real easy to test the CKP, but I think the Haynes book has info on that too. This problem does not sound fuel related since sometimes it won't click or turn over at all. You probably have an electrical problem somewhere. It sounds like a bad CKP to me.

Jimmy

 

check all the power and ground cables. I bet one is loose/corroded.

 

Thank yall for the help! I went through all the connections and replaced all the wires from battery to the starter and the ground cable also. It seems to have worked! I just hope that it isn't in the "I just wanna start today" mood, but that it's actually fixed.

 

Ok... it was just in the mood to start... I went online and found the solenoid on sale at advance auto parts. If I buy this am I going to be able to just pull the old one off and replace it or is it like some people have said and perm. attatched to the starter?

 

Just so everyone knows, when a truck does this it is possible that the starter is bad even though it tests at 100%, and all the wires are shot and need replacing because they were working too hard to try to turn the engine over... Good thing I have Mogi! lol