will not start

When you check for spark, are you getting a good blue spark?

i have not pulled a spark plug out, but we did use a screwdirver in the wire but things are so corroded that we didnt get a spark i think due to a bad ground. also ive been researching how to test the ignition coil and i think we kinda did it today as well we wernt getting any readings but we may have been doing it wrong. also do you know the correct resistance for the coil and wires? im kinda leaning twards the coil cus i was told if there going bad then they may work when its cold but when they warm up they quit. thats kinda sounding like it but i dont know yet. i wanna be sure how to properly test it out. thanks for responding so quick, sam

Electrical problem
1999 Dodge Dakota 6 cyl Two Wheel Drive Automatic

its getting fire and getting fuel turns over strong even tries to start but dosent put on new cap and rotor very worn still wont start

Hello,

Ok, what color is the spark? It should be a Bright Bluish/white. If Orange it is weak and will cause a no start problem.

Also since cap and rotor were worn how about the plugs. If cap and rotor were worn then I would have also replaced the plugs.

Also check the wires if cracked or look like original I would replace them also.

Would also check Fuel Pressure and Regulator. Check link below for video on testing....

https://www.2carpros.com/car_repair_video/test_fuel_injection_pressure.htm


.

My truck ran fine a day before, this morning i came out and it wouldn't start. It has gas, it has spark and the starter sounds fine. I put gas down the carb and still nothing. Any ideas?

Hi:
How did you check for spark? If you provided the fuel, it should at least try to start. Let me know exactly what you have done so I can help you determine the problem.

Joe

Hey Joe,
i pulled one of the plug cables and put a spare plug in and had it against metal...tried to turn it over and it sparked.

Hi:
If there is spark, we need to check for fuel pressure. Can you hear the fuel pum run for a second when you first turn on the key? Is there any way you could check the fuel pressure? Some parts stores will lend tools.

Also, have you tried using starting fluid to see if it will start?

Joe

so i went out this morning just for sh@ts and giggles and wouldn't you know the ol' girl started right up...Vapor lock maybe?

Hi:
Is it hot where you are? If so (I'm jealous... I hate winter anymore) lol. If it's hot, it could be a vapor lock. If the car is running now, have the computer scanned for trouble codes. Most parts stores will do it for free, and it may identify the problem.

Let me know what you find.

Joe

1999 Dodge Dakota 6 cyl Two Wheel Drive Automatic

Here's my problem. I went out to my truck and start it. It fired right up with no problems. I got a phone call and had to run inside for a moment, so I shut the truck off and took care of business and when I returned 15 min. later I could not start my truck. When I turn the key in the ignition, I can hear the relays click, but nothing happens. The starter does not engage what so ever and the weird part is that the ABS and brake lights come on and stay on for about 15 sec. then go out. I have checked the wiring going to the starter and everything is fine there. The fuses in the fuse box are all intact and I have tested the fuses and relays in the power distribution center to make sure that they all work and they do. I have read online that this may be a bad rear speed sensor, but I don't believe that that is the case here since the symptoms are not the same. (my ABS and brake lights do not stay on and my speedometer is working fine.) does anyone have any ideas on what it might be? any help would be greatly appreciated.

You may have a bad starter. Have a helper turn the key to the start position while you check for voltage to the smaller wire on the starter. It should get 12+ volts. If it does, replace the starter. If not, check the relay block to make sure the is power to the starter relay. If there is, switch the relay with one that has the same part number to see if the relay is the problem. If there is no power to the relay, chances are the switch itself is the problem.

Let me know what you find.

Joe

I have traced the wiring checking the voltage along the way and there is 12v DC to the starter when the key is turned. my neighbor told me that if I take it to auto zone I can have it tested, so I have removed it and will let you know the results. Thanks for your fast response.

I look forward to hearing from you. If you were getting 12+ volts to it when the key was turned to start, the starter is bad.

Let me know. Also, and don't laugh, if you haven't removed the starter yet, smack it with a hammar. Usually, that will jar it and make it work. (it's worth a try) LOL.

Joe

1999 Dodge Dakota Pick Up Truck with an 8 cyl., 5.2 ltr.(318 cid) fuel injected automatic but has some sort of throttle body atop the engine. Having trouble starting when cold. I have a block heater installed, which after 2 hours, or so, of being plugged in, the truck starts fine. Would the "Throttle Position Sensor" cause this hard start? Why does the engine have to be slightly warm in order to start correctly? Is there some sort of choke system within this throttle body that isn't operating properly? Is it in fact a throttle body? The truck runs perfectly fine other than this little dilemma, so I know it's not fuel pressure issue. Need a clear response from someone who knows. Thank you.

No choke. All that's in the throttle body is the throttle valve and a controlled air passage around it to adjust idle speed. You shouldn't need a block heater. The first thing to look at is if you get a nice idle flare-up to 1500 rpm for a few seconds after starting. If you do not, chances are the battery was recently disconnected or run dead and the Engine Computer has to relearn "minimum throttle". Until that happens, the computer won't know when it has to be in control of idle speed. The engine should start if you hold the gas pedal down 1/4". If that works, to meet the conditions for the relearn to take place, drive at highway speed with the engine warmed up, then coast for at least seven seconds without touching the brake or gas pedals. You could also have fuel pressure bleeding off while the engine is off. To identify that, cycle the ignition switch to "run", wait a few seconds, turn it off for a few seconds, turn it on again, then maybe even a third time, then try to start it. If that works, the most likely cause is a leaking injector but the fuel pressure regulator and the check valve in the pump can cause that too. A rare possibility is worn bushings holding the distributor shaft. If the shaft wobbles enough there can be a signal dropout from the camshaft position sensor. When that signal is missing, the Engine Computer won't turn on the automatic shutdown (ASD) relay which powers the injectors, ignition coil, and alternator field. You'll be missing spark when it doesn't start and the injectors won't be firing either. Besides checking for spark you can also measure the voltage on the dark green / orange wire to the ignition coil or any injector. You should see full battery voltage for just one second after turning on the ignition switch, then it must come back during engine cranking.

Truck ran fine two days ago,went out to start it.but it will not start.Starter is engaging and sounds like it is cranking fine.Did finally get to start when I hold gas pedal to the floor,but as soon as I let off it dies immediately.I do not know if it is related to problem but over the last month the truck has died on me several times when I came to a stoplight.also the radio has been reseting itself every time I shut off the truck,and headlights are flashing slightly within the last week.I know this sound like a complete mess but I am hoping somebody can help.PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!

Do you have a check engine light? Try checking the fuel pressure and comeback with the readings this is where we start. Also check the idle air control valve,throtte position/mass aiflow/manifold absolute pressure sensors

Truck ran fine two days ago,went out to start it.but it will not start. Or you can try below to determine if its fuel or spark and then comeback

Get a carb cleaner and spray into the carb or the throttle body on an EFI. Did it start and die? If not disconnect a sparkplug wire or 2 and ground it to the engine -have helper crank engine over-do you have a snapping blue spark? If so-you have a fuel problem, check the fuel pressure to rule out the fuel pump/pressure regulator and listen to the injector/s are they pulsing or hook up a noid light. No snapping blue spark continue to troubleshoot the ignition system-power input to the coil/coil,distributor pick-up coil, ignition control module, cam and crank sensors-

when turning over in the morning sounds like battery is dead and will not start unless you depress the gas pedal. the battery has checked out ok, the diagnosis said that all sensors are working. sometimes it will not start at all. if engine is warmed up it will start normally. help!

Hi:
It sounds like the starter may be going bad if it isn't turning the engine over. Have a starter amp draw test done at a nationally recognized parts store. Most do it for free.

Joe

I have a 1999 Dodge Dakota 2wd 6cyl. When I try to start it does not start. I replaced the battery about a week ago and still nothing. I had tried pumping the gas pedal and got it started that way, but when I let off the gas it stalled. Do you think it sounds like the fuel pump, or spark plugs. The spark plugs have never been changed either.

None of those things will fail from replacing the battery but the Engine Computer will lose its memory. It has to relearn "minimum throttle" before it will know when to be in control of idle speed. To meet the conditions for that to to take place drive at highway speed with the engine warmed up, then coast for at least seven seconds without touching the brake or gas pedals.

caradiodoc

all the voltage checks come back good as in 5.0 vdc and 12vdc where the book says check

Have to jumper the fuel pump relay to get fuel at the fuel pump remove jumper it stays running turn car off then back on it starts go in the house come back out and have to jumper the fuel relay to start to get 12vdc to pump

LDP Clicks and works dont know what is telling the PCM to not engage the fuel relay and the ASD relay
New PCM New CPS New fuel

Help

Desi

You need to back up and find out what else may not be working.


All "crank, no start" conditions are approached in the same way. Every engine requires certain functions to be able to run. Some of these functions rely on specific components to work and some components are part of more than one function so it is important to see the whole picture to be able to conclude anything about what may have failed. Also, these functions can ONLY be tested during the failure. Any other time and they will simply test good because the problem isn't present at the moment.
If you approach this in any other way, you are merely guessing and that only serves to replace unnecessary parts and wastes money.



Every engine requires spark, fuel and compression to run. That's what we have to look for.

These are the basics that need to be tested and will give us the info required to isolate a cause.

1) Test for spark at the plug end of the wire using a spark tester. If none found, check for power supply on the + terminal of the coil with the key on.


2) Test for injector pulse using a small bulb called a noid light. If none found, check for power supply at one side of the injector with the key on.


3) Use a fuel pressure gauge to test for correct fuel pressure, also noticing if the pressure holds when key is shut off.

4) If all of these things check good, then you would need to do a complete compression test.

Once you have determined which of these functions has dropped out,
you will know which system is having the problem.

1999 dodge dakota crank no start installed a new coil and crank sensor check engine light was on when i shut the truck off im thinking it might a cam sensor

Check engine light on
Have the computer scanned for code/s-you have a problem within the engine management system that caused the CEL to turn on-This is your starting point of diagnosis,finding out what's going on.

my 99 dodge dakota 5.2 just died with no warning and will not start back up. fuel pump is working and its getting spark. what should i check next?

Use a gage and check fuel pressure. What is the fuel pressure spec, engine cranking. Check for applicable trouble codes, anything? How long since a tune-up?

my truck was off the road for five months it started right up when I returned it to the road but it soon started to skip and backfire and buck so bad it was not driveable I added dry gas to it which seemed to help i replaced the plugs and it ran good for a day then started to repeat the same thing i got it home and the next morning it started right up i started for work and it was skipping and backfiring so bad i had to turn around a 1/4 mile from home and barely made it home it has not started since we replaced the dis. cap,rotor and wires. it acts like it not getting any spark.

Do below to determine if its fuel or spark then get back

Get a starting fluid/ether/better off gas in a spray bottle and spray into the carb or the throttle body on an EFI. Did it start and die? If not disconnect a sparkplug wire or 2 and ground it to the engine -have helper crank engine over-do you have a snapping blue spark? If so-you have a fuel related problem, check the fuel pressure to rule out the fuel filter/fuel pump/pressure regulator and listen to the injector/s are they pulsing or hook up a noid light. No snapping blue spark continue to troubleshoot the ignition system-power input to the coil/coil packs,distributor pick-up coil, ignition control module, cam and crank sensors- Note: If it doesn't apply disregard it

Engine Performance problem
1999 Dodge Dakota 4 cyl Two Wheel Drive Manual
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Truck was running fine then, parked it to get dinner. When I tried to restart it and leave, it cranks but, will not start. Any idea?

you need to check for fuel pressure and for spark
and let us know what is missing
give the gas tank a tap or two while a helper trying to start and if it start you need a new fuel pump
check fuses and relays

The truck will turn but will not start. And every time I replaced a part it would not start after couple of month later. So I have replaced the PCM , idle position sensor the battery. Checked the fuel pump n hear the buzz unless I was mistaken. I've checkedwith volt meter on the sensors but not sure if I checked them correctly. Please help Me for I have been here stuck for few days.

Did you check for applicable trouble codes before you did, anything? If you replaced the pcm, may need to have it programmed by dealership. If it cranks good but won't start, have a helper crank it while you visually check for spark at the spark plugs, if you have spark everywhere, use a gage and check fuel pressure, engine cranking.

What about security system? Just mentioning a few possibilities.

Yeah ur right about the PCM needing to be programmed it was done. And it was great for 6 month and it wouldn't start again. Well, now I'm checking the spark plugs n the fuel injectors n bought myself a scanner. If u have ne other suggestion would be appreciated.

Let us know the results of tests.

This truck seems to have no power and its really bad in reverse. I tried loading it onto a trailor and unless I got a running start it wouldn't make it. It starts fine and idles alittle rough but it has no guts. What can I look for?

Lack of acceleration,chugging,hesitating,jerking,bogging,misfiring etc. could be caused by one of the following below

Oxygen sensor.
Catalytic converter.
Fuel injectors dirty/sticking.
Mass airflow sensor/Airflow meter.
Throttle position sensor.
Crankshaft position sensor
Knock sensor
Manifold absolute pressure sensor.
EGR Valve
Fuel pressure regulator leaking or defective fuel pump.
False air leakage.
Fuel contamination.
Foul/defective spark plugs.
Open spark plug wires.
Ignition coil/Coil packs defective.
Incorrect ignition timing.
Cap and rotor.

Note:If it doesn't apply disregard it