Truck Stops Running Suddenly
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Truck Stops Running Suddenly
I need your help to solve a mystery. I have a 99 Dakota, 318, manual trans, 4x4. 165K miles on it, but well maintained and runs good overall.
The problem I am having is that I will be driving along at a steady speed, and it just stops running suddenly. I will pull over to the side of the road and try to start it. It will crank, but not start. If I wait about 5 to 10 minutes, it starts up perfectly on the first crank and away I go. It might not happen again for a few hundred miles, or it might happen a few times within 5 miles. I did notice that it happened a few time more consistently, when it was below a 1/4 tank. I took it to a mechanic, and no error codes show up. Could it be the fuel pump/regulator? Help!!
The problem I am having is that I will be driving along at a steady speed, and it just stops running suddenly. I will pull over to the side of the road and try to start it. It will crank, but not start. If I wait about 5 to 10 minutes, it starts up perfectly on the first crank and away I go. It might not happen again for a few hundred miles, or it might happen a few times within 5 miles. I did notice that it happened a few time more consistently, when it was below a 1/4 tank. I took it to a mechanic, and no error codes show up. Could it be the fuel pump/regulator? Help!!
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I think a bad distributor coil could cause this. But more often with less gas.. maybe check the alternator too to see if it's charging the battery as well. Your ignition relay may be weak, causing it to trip and break off power. I'd check your entire ignition system, spark plugs, wires, distributor wire and the coil itself, everything. The fuel pump and fuel filter might also be worth checking.
Does the engine spit and sputter before it dies? Also, is your engine light on?
Does the engine spit and sputter before it dies? Also, is your engine light on?
Last edited by 1988Dakota; Jul 2, 2011 at 05:15 PM.
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The car does not sputter or miss before it just drops dead. Today I was driving 55 and then I felt one jolt, and noted that the tach was at zero. I brought it to a stop on the shoulder of the road. It would not start. It didnt even seem close, like a car with no spark or no fuel. 5 minutes later, it started just like always. I drove it another 35 miles today, with no problem. It passed smog cleanly, has new plugs, and never even has a miss. Runs really well. I was wondering if failing fuel pumps can stop working, then start again.
Last edited by biglione; Jul 3, 2011 at 01:44 AM. Reason: I forgot to include some information
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Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Midlothian, IL.
You say it won't start up right away when it dies.
Try getting out when it dies. Don't try to crank it right away. Go to the back of the truck with someone turning the key
and, listen for the fuel-pump to prime when the
key is turned to just the ON position. (Hopefully someone can & will be with you when it happens).\It will be hard to hear & the sound is very short lived
but, that might be the problem. Also, listen for the fuel pump to prime
before you go for your 1st drive of the day. That way you know
what your listening for when the truck shuts off on you.
My bet is the fuel-pump. Good luck with it.
Try getting out when it dies. Don't try to crank it right away. Go to the back of the truck with someone turning the key
and, listen for the fuel-pump to prime when the
key is turned to just the ON position. (Hopefully someone can & will be with you when it happens).\It will be hard to hear & the sound is very short lived
but, that might be the problem. Also, listen for the fuel pump to prime
before you go for your 1st drive of the day. That way you know
what your listening for when the truck shuts off on you.
My bet is the fuel-pump. Good luck with it.
Last edited by JBs DAK; Jul 3, 2011 at 10:03 AM.
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My 1998 Dakota was doing the same thing.At one time somebody put in a new computer and broke the locking tabs on the wire harness.It would fit tight but i guess it would wiggle loose and cause the truck to die out.I tried everything but then i put some zip ties around the harness .I've put 1600 miles on it since with no problems at all.I couldn't go 10 miles before without it dying out on me.
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The car does not sputter or miss before it just drops dead. Today I was driving 55 and then I felt one jolt, and noted that the tach was at zero. I brought it to a stop on the shoulder of the road. It would not start. It didnt even seem close, like a car with no spark or no fuel. 5 minutes later, it started just like always. I drove it another 35 miles today, with no problem. It passed smog cleanly, has new plugs, and never even has a miss. Runs really well. I was wondering if failing fuel pumps can stop working, then start again.