I have a 2000 Dakota 3.9 and yesterday it would start, but it acted like it wanted to die because of it not getting fuel to the engine. I’d press the gas pedal and it would stay running for as long as I held the pedal, but when I let off it would spit and sputter. Today it’ll turn over, but won’t start and run. I was thinking either plugs and wires or fuel filter or it could be the TPS, MAF, MAP, or something else completely. Please and thank you.

 

Take a look at the tune-up parts... Cap, rotor, plugs... see what kind of shape they are in.

 

idle air controller

 

Do you hear the fuel pump?

Check the fuel pressure.

 

Compression/Air, Fuel, Spark - Which one aren't you getting OR are getting to much of? Even with all the sensors those are the three ingredients needed for a combustion engine. Once you figure which one is messed up then you can look at the individual systems that affect each one.

Compression - Mostly Mechanical, Computer/Sensor related at idle - Engine/rotating assembly, valve train, throttle body

Fuel - Mechanical and Computer/Sensor related - pump, regulator, Fuel injectors, filter, O2 Sensor

Spark - Mechanical and computer related - Cap, rotor, wires, plugs, coil

Now throw in the sensors for each system and the computer. Temperature, speed, exhaust, timing, etc.