'93 Dakota Stalling
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Joined: Jul 2004
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'93 Dakota Stalling
Fairly recently my '93 Dakota (w/ the Magnum V6) has had trouble staying running. When this started happening the throttle was not depressed (i.e. while coming to a stop sign or such). However now it is happening at no specific timeeven while the throttle is being depressed. After the second time it stalled, I checked for fault codes. Only code 12 (memory power lost/power to computer lost) was returned. I found this odd since the battery had not been disconnected since it was replaced (about 1.5 years ago).
First thought was a dirty fuel filter so it was replaced and the problem continued. I have heard various things from various people so taking most suggestions I replaced the following sensors (one at a time then checking to see if the problem was solved): O2, MAP, crankshaft position & dist. pickup. I did find that the dist. cap needed replacement so that was done along with the rotor. Some plug wires started showing corrosion so a new set was put on.
When this first started, the truck would start right back up and run fine. Now this is not the case and will sometimes take many many times of attempting to start before it will finally run. When attempting to start, the starter is doing it’s job and the engine is turning over but will not run. Once it finally starts it will sometimes die immediately and other times it will run fine. There does not seem to be a pattern. It has taken over 10 minutes of almost constant trying to get it started some days.
During the process of replacing things I noticed that after I put the key in and go to start, through the run position, that all of the usual indicator dash lights (oil pressure, seat belt, parking break, check engine, etc.) would briefly stay on as they are supposed then go out and the truck would start. However if the check engine light does not flash on during this period of time (but all other indicators do flash) the truck will not start. When this happens I cannot get the fault codes from the computer since it uses the check engine light. In other words, if the truck stalls I cannot get fault codes however if I shut it off normally then I can. I did disconnect the battery when replacing the sensors so the fault codes should have been cleared yet code 12 is still present. Is this because the battery was disconnected thus the power to the ECM was lost or is this the sign of something?
Finally, does anyone have a suggestion on what could be causing this? It almost seems like the ECM is going out. Does it sound reasonable that I should spend the cash for a new one? I am at a loss on what else it could be especially since the check engine light seems to be an indicator on if it will start or not.
First thought was a dirty fuel filter so it was replaced and the problem continued. I have heard various things from various people so taking most suggestions I replaced the following sensors (one at a time then checking to see if the problem was solved): O2, MAP, crankshaft position & dist. pickup. I did find that the dist. cap needed replacement so that was done along with the rotor. Some plug wires started showing corrosion so a new set was put on.
When this first started, the truck would start right back up and run fine. Now this is not the case and will sometimes take many many times of attempting to start before it will finally run. When attempting to start, the starter is doing it’s job and the engine is turning over but will not run. Once it finally starts it will sometimes die immediately and other times it will run fine. There does not seem to be a pattern. It has taken over 10 minutes of almost constant trying to get it started some days.
During the process of replacing things I noticed that after I put the key in and go to start, through the run position, that all of the usual indicator dash lights (oil pressure, seat belt, parking break, check engine, etc.) would briefly stay on as they are supposed then go out and the truck would start. However if the check engine light does not flash on during this period of time (but all other indicators do flash) the truck will not start. When this happens I cannot get the fault codes from the computer since it uses the check engine light. In other words, if the truck stalls I cannot get fault codes however if I shut it off normally then I can. I did disconnect the battery when replacing the sensors so the fault codes should have been cleared yet code 12 is still present. Is this because the battery was disconnected thus the power to the ECM was lost or is this the sign of something?
Finally, does anyone have a suggestion on what could be causing this? It almost seems like the ECM is going out. Does it sound reasonable that I should spend the cash for a new one? I am at a loss on what else it could be especially since the check engine light seems to be an indicator on if it will start or not.
