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Adam Scudder
Dodge Dakota
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2/24/2010
17:54:35
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 Subject: 98 Dakota 5.2 Auto wont start
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Hi my 5.2 1998 dakota will not start for anything. It's probably something stupidly simple, but it gets spark, and gas; i replaced all 8 plugs and the distributor cap and rotor, tested the coil and line, and spark is good. getting gas too.
Parked it one night about 6 pm after a normal day, went to start at 7 am and nada. bupkis. it turned over but didnt catch.
I've checked these pages up and down, and have considered everything from the 3 to 1 splice to the crankshaft sensor to the power steering switch to the o2 sensors to a clogged fuel pump.
Problem is there are no codes, no check engine light, and when i do the on/off/on/off/on trick the computer tests everything but nothing shows up. Apparently nothing is wrong, but the bastard won't start.
Gets gas, and spark, so why won't it start? bad injectors? could they go bad overnight? clogged exhaust? bad crankshaft sensor so they fire wrong?
Any suggestions???!!!
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daddio
Dodge Dakota
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2/25/2010
09:06:01
| RE: 98 Dakota 5.2 Auto wont start
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Adam, glad to see you started your own thread. As I posted on the other thread, Are you sure the spark and fuel are getting all the way into the cylinders? Have you checked compression?
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Hey
Dodge Dakota
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2/25/2010
09:15:22
| RE: 98 Dakota 5.2 Auto wont start
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It gets spark, what color was it?
Big an bright or weak an orange?
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Adam Scudder
Dodge Dakota
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2/25/2010
11:37:54
| RE: 98 Dakota 5.2 Auto wont start
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Thanks for the responses!
No, i'm not sure that the spark is getting all the way into the cylinders...when I replaced the plugs, the old ones were way worn and fouled, and inside was kinda grungy lookin...I'll probably replace the wires too.
I tested the check valve on the fuel injection line and it squirted out, but short of pulling injectors, i assume the gas goes the rest of the way.
How do I check compression?
The spark i got off the ignition coil was blue, but at the end of the wire (the connection to the distributor) it was weaker.
When I crank it over it sort-of catches, kind of a dull foggy almost backfire sound...and then there's a very strong smell of gas in the air...
I'm going to go ahead and replace the crankshaft sensor tonight if i can, truck is outdoors and in upstate ny we're getting a badass storm.
One more question...if it's fuel injected, what are the two rubber lines that come to one into the throttle? one comes from a unit rubber mounted to the firewall and the other from a unit by the battery...just trying to figure out what everything does. Yes, I need a Haynes manual haha
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daddio
Dodge Dakota
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2/25/2010
11:56:27
| RE: 98 Dakota 5.2 Auto wont start
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Don't waste your money on the crank sensor. Buy those new plug wires and change them first. If you're getting the coil to spark it's not the CPS.
Next time you try to crank it and it doesn't start pull one of the plugs to see if it's wet with fuel. You can have pressure at the fuel and not in the cylinders if the injectors aren't firing. But if you're smelling fuel they're probably working.
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Adam Scudder
Dodge Dakota
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2/25/2010
12:38:51
| RE: 98 Dakota 5.2 Auto wont start
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i'll change the wires, but what do i do if the plug is wet with fuel? pull all plugs and wedge throttle open, turn on the tv and let the engine air out?
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daddio
Dodge Dakota
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2/25/2010
12:41:16
| RE: 98 Dakota 5.2 Auto wont start
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If they're wet that means you're not getting spark. Just trying to eliminate problems one step at a time.
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Adam Scudder
Dodge Dakota
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2/26/2010
14:59:01
| RE: 98 Dakota 5.2 Auto wont start
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hi guys...
i've replaced plugs and wires, and i've checked the wires leading to the plugs; they have spark.
checked fuel at bleeder valve (no pressure reader but it does build back up). Pulled a cpl plugs and they were wet with gas.
So I've got fuel, and I've got spark, but it may not be sparking inside the cylinder all the time?
I pulled fuel pump relay and cranked it but got nowhere with that either.
Should i try cranking it longer (a full minute?) with the pump off or with the throttle at max?
any chance the cat could be clogged?
have been getting poor gas mileage the last few weeks...so engine was running rich in fuel, due to something...?
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daddio
Dodge Dakota
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2/26/2010
15:36:23
| RE: 98 Dakota 5.2 Auto wont start
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Do you even got a "pop" every now and then like it may want to start? If the plugs are wet, your spark is really weak or non-existent at the spark plug. You need to pull a plug, leave it connected to the plug wire, ground the body of the plug to engine somewhere that you can see the electrode and crank it over and see if you get a nice blue spark. Of course, you'll need an extra set of hands to help.
Clogged cat won't cause a no-start condition.
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Scudder
Dodge Dakota
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2/26/2010
15:57:39
| RE: 98 Dakota 5.2 Auto wont start
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yeah i do get that "pop" but i wouldn't know what it is, if its backfire or one or two cylinders firing or what...
I'll check that way for spark, and probably replace the ignition coil (the outside two or three leafs are de-laminating), maybe the coil/drive under the cap and rotor(i replaced cap and rotor in sept. due to moisture and corroded terminals so maybe theres more corrosion lower down)...... also wondered if you could tell me what the correct pin is to start the #1 wire on, ive heard two or three different versions
and as far as clearing the cylinders? the engine is definitely flooded
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daddio
Dodge Dakota
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2/26/2010
17:01:47
| RE: 98 Dakota 5.2 Auto wont start
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Most every distributor cap I've seen, the #1 plug wire connection is marked with the number 1.
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soccergirl
Dodge Dakota
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3/16/2010
23:13:14
| RE: 98 Dakota 5.2 Auto wont start
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We are having all the same problems What did you do to fix it?
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Scudder
Dodge Dakota
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3/17/2010
07:30:14
| RE: 98 Dakota 5.2 Auto wont start
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It turned out to be the ignition coil; it had spark but not enough, best thing to do is to check for spark and have a voltmeter handy...
I replaced plugs, wires, cap and rotor and ignition coil, all good things to do anyway
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