Hey I just bought a 1999 Dakota 3.9 and it starts very hard. I live in San Diego and the weather lately has been very warm and I would think that would make it easier to start.

So far I have installed new spark plugs, distributer cap and rotor, plug wires, cleaned the injectors (professional compressed air type), and changed the oil.

When I start it cold or after sitting for a while I have to crank it for 3-5 seconds then stop. Then crank it again, it fires right up the second time. Is there something more I can do to get it starting easy?

 

I am going to say you need a fuel pump.

 

Check the fuel pressure first.

 

Ok I will check the fuel pressure next. What is the range it should be in?

 

When you first turn the key on, it should build pressure in 1-2 seconds MAX.

When the truck is running at idle, you should see about 49 psi +/- 5 psi.

When the truck has sat for a while it is NORMAL for it to drop to zero and does not indicate a problem, per Dodge:

Fuel pressure that has dropped to 0 psi on a cooled down vehicle (engine off) is a normal condition.

 

The problem could also be a bad fuel pressure regulator. Regardless of the weather conditions, taking too long to start after the truck sits overnight or for a few hours may be a sign the pressure regulator could be failing. The pressure regulator is an internal part of the fuel pump. There is a check valve in the regulator that goes bad and when that happens, the fuel in the rail bleeds back down into the tank while the truck sits parked. The reason it takes a longer period of cranking time with the ignition key is because the fuel pump needs more time to prime fuel rail. Fuel pressure regulator failure is a common problem on Dakota fuel pumps, usually happens around 120,000 to 125,000 miles.

You can buy a cheap fuel pressure test gauge kit at Harbor Freight for less than $30.00, sometimes a lot less when it is on sale or you use one of their 20% off coupons. You can check the fuel pressure while the engine is running, but it is important to check what the fuel pressure does when you shut down the engine but leave the test gauge connected to the fuel rail. If the pressure on the test gauge falls below 30 psi within 5 minutes of turning the engine off, the fuel pressure regulator is bad. Another good test is if after the truck has sat overnight or for a period of a few hours or longer, turn the ignition key to run but do not start the engine, and wait maybe 10 seconds, then start the engine. If the truck starts right away after that, the regulator is bad.

The only way to replace the fuel pressure regulator is to replace the fuel pump assembly as a unit. It is located in the fuel tank. It is not hard to do. A new pump can cost about $225.00 here in Florida, in California it is probably more expensive. If you pay a shop to replace the fuel pump, that runs $450.00 to maybe $600.00 around here. I bought a fuel pump from Advance Auto Parts for $180.00 using one of their online discount codes and replaced my own fuel pump myself here at home. It had the same problem with taking too long to start. That was 2 years ago, and it has been doing fine since then.

Jimmy

 

I haven't been able to check the fuel pressure yet. I have a fuel pressure gauge but I have not had the time to get it done. However I keyed the ignition on and off three times each time waiting for the fuel pump to prime. I heard the fuel pump prime for 2-3 seconds. Started right up every time I did it this way.

I am going to replace the filter first then the regulator. My Sunfire has the FPR right on the fuel rail, took me all of $30 and 10 min to replace it. Why Dodge did you put this one in the tank???????

 

The filter is considered "lifetime" and is part of the pump. If you're going that far just replace the pump.

Check the pressure first. Unless you're using crappy gas the filter is likely not the issue.

 

There is no external fuel filter on a Dakota. The fuel filter is also part of the fuel pump assembly. It is on the bottom of the pump. It looks like a white mesh sock. It may be best to just replace the pump assembly as a unit and be done with it.

Dodge and most other manufacturers have a lot of parts that are only replaced as a whole unit. Sometimes you can get around that, like with the ball joints on Dakota's. Dodge does not sell a ball joint by itself, the ball joints are either riveted or pressed into the control arm. However, you can drill out the rivets or use a press to remove and install new ball joints in the existing control arm. I guess this is just one way that Dodge and the others save money on their total cost of vehicle production.

Jimmy