In the process of trying to get my 98 Dakota in usable condition again, but it's running like garbage. It takes about 3 minutes of cranking and tapping the gas to get the thing started. Once started I'm having to keep it about 3000rpms so it doesn't die. Once it's warmed up for about 5 minutes it will run on its own, but not without me having to goose now and then. About 1200-2500rpm range it seems like there is no throttle response unless I step on it. I'm not pulling up any misfire codes, but it feels like it's missing. It has a new cap, rotor, wires, and plugs. And trust me I've checked the firing order a dozen times. I just don't know if I'm getting a sufficient amount of fuel pressure to the injectors or what the cause is. I took it for a go around the block and barely made it back. It's fine on the flat, but if I attempt a hill it bogs down and nearly dies. Any help, suggestion, or idea is much appreciated.

 

have you checked the map sensore?

 

Ok in your question you said useable condition again so thats telling me that it was sitting awhile right? if so how long was it sitting for and was anything done to it before and after?

 

It's been parked about 4months because it had started to do what I described. The gas tank was near empty when parked, so added fresh gas, so I know that is not stale. The only thing that had been done was a water pump replacement last winter and dual exhaust installed in summer 2009. The truck has over 200k and that's a low guess. (Not the original cluster). Best I can guess is a faulty crank sensor or a faulty component in the distributor.

 

i would go to parts store and get one of the fuel rail pressure testers. on the fuel rail on the passenger side i believe there is a little shrader valve (it looks like a tire stem) if you screw the end of the tester onto the valve and try to start it it will tell you if you have pressure enough going to your injectors. if you don't, my guess is when you ran it empty and filled it back up some trash might be blocking your filter. but it seems more like a sensor related issue. i would start with the fuel and then check the map sensor like mentioned above and then the tps (throtle position sensor) and go from there.

 

I know on older dodge trucks that the fuel pump uses a high/low relay to supply more fuel when needed, but does fuel pump relay on newer vehicles act in the same way? I've done some looking and there are a few holes rusted in the filler neck to the gas tank. Not sure what effect that would have unless the system needs to be that closed to create pressure.

 

Could be the tps or map sensor. As far as the hole in the filler neck that shouldnt matter I have a hole in my filler neck on my 98 and hasnt effected it at all.

 

Did some reading on other threads, and I changed the battery terminals. It's now running on its own. Definently could use a tune-up. Still going to check the MAP and TPS sensors. Thanks everyone for giving me a hand. Will be back if I run into anymore trouble.