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Jeff-KC
Dodge Dakota
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6/26/2008
22:01:56

Subject: 97 Fuel Trouble....the pump?
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97 Dakota 3.9 V6 22-gal tank
Here's a puzzle for you Dakota gurus....
Having a fuel problem that has been going on for months now. Runs perfectly as long as fuel tank is at least 1/2 full. Anywhere below 1/2 tank, engine can miss and sputter badly, sometimes even stall completely, and leave me stranded. I visualize something floating in the tank and blocking the intake when the level is just right, however my mechanic says with the shape of the pump intake this is unlikey. Says the fuel pump is just "bad." But why would it run perfectly above 1/2 tank, and only sputter below 1/2 tank? Sometimes it can go below 1/4 tank before there is trouble. Here's another tidbit: When it stalls, if I wait a few minutes, then jump up and own on the tailgate to jostle the tank, it will usually get going again long enough for me to make it to the nearest gas station. Adding gas to the tank always cures the problem. Any ideas?



Dan M
Dodge Dakota
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6/27/2008
07:52:21

RE: 97 Fuel Trouble....the pump?
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I had something similar happen on my old 95. Turned out to be the pump.

- Dan M



Jesse
Dodge Dakota
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6/27/2008
09:00:30

RE: 97 Fuel Trouble....the pump?
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Probably not the fuel filter, unless you've been using realy dirty gas, or there's a bit of water in the tank. Some fuel filters will pass gas OK, but will not pass water.
Could be fuel pump or fuel pressure regulator.
The pressure regulator is part of the pump assembly, and not a separate unit - If you replace the pump, the regulator gets replaced.

Part numbers subject to revision, of course.
Fuel filter 04897498AA

Fuel pump
15 gallon tank 04897493AA
22 gallon tank 04897494AA




SDave
Dodge Dakota
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6/27/2008
11:55:48

RE: 97 Fuel Trouble....the pump?
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The cage has lots on either side of it that the pump rides up and down. Depending on how much gas in the tank obviously determines where the pump is along the length of the slot. What has happened more than likely is the slot is worn and the pump get hung up and will down travel any further down the slot. Once it reaches this point the pump draws all the gas available to it. That what causes it to sputter and act as though it is running out because it is running out of what it can reach. It is probably worn in several spots very close to one another. That is why when you jump up and down on the tailgate it will sometimes move down to the next worn spot and run for a few more miles.
Had it happen to my 94 318 Dakota. If you have or anyone you know have an old cage you can remove your pump from your cage to the other one. Otherwise, you will have to transition out the slot where it has made a notch just below it. On my truck there was a notch on both sides. If the notch is deep, you can take a dremel and open up the slot the entire length and then tap a new hole for the appropriate screw that will take up the approximate width of the new slot. It was a pain, but that is what I did.



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