Dodge Dakota ForumDodge Dakota PhotosDodgeDakota.net Membership
  Forums   Forum Tools
05:04:37 - 03/19/2024

V6 Dakotas
FromMessage
popeye52
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
 Email

5/14/2003
19:10:02

Subject: 92 Won't Start
IP: Logged

Message:
I have a 92 DAK with a 3.9 V6 Magnum. As I was on my way home, I took my foot off the gas to turn into my driveway. When I did the engine died, there was no indication of any problems (ie: engine sputtering, etc...). I tried to restart but it would only crank. I had been driving it less than 5 mins. Prior to this there were not any indications of a problem.

Last week I had it in the shop for a tune-up, fuel system cleaning, oil change, trans fluid change. The shop also replaced the fuel filter, and pvc valve. I had it towed back to the same shop. They have looked at it and are stumped for the time being.(The guy that is proficient with older models was off)

The symptons that I have are no spark and no fuel. The shop manager said that it might be the computer because their diagnostic computer will not talk with the truck. However he does not feel that it is the computer because it is cranking over.

I was wondering if anyone might have an idea as to the problem. This is the first time this has happened in 196k+ miles. This happened on May 14th. The mechanic that was off today will be there tomorrow and will be looking at it.

Thanks for any input.
Popeye52



popeye52
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
 Email

5/15/2003
19:29:44

RE: 92 Won't Start
IP: Logged

Message:
Update:

The other mechanic looked at it today, as well as troubleshooting with a dodge service manager over the phone. The last I heard was they still don't know what is wrong. I hope they can get it figured out soon since I am moving.

Thanks
Popeye52



Daniel
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
 Email

5/15/2003
21:45:30

RE: 92 Won't Start
IP: Logged

Message:
Hey man, I just bought a 92 Dak v6, 118,000 miles. Got any tips I should look out for?



popeye52
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
 Email

5/15/2003
22:12:32

RE: 92 Won't Start
IP: Logged

Message:
Daniel:

Besides old age, I would suggest having the timing chain, gears, and oil slinger for the timing chain replaced in about another 40k miles. I had to have mine replaced around 140k miles. I also had the oil pump and oil pressure sending unit replaced at the same time as the timing chain. The oil pump was scored and would not hold pressure at idle.
Just keep up the normal maintanence stuff and you should not have any problems. The biggest factor that would determine how well it performs is the amount of maintance the previous owner did.

I have also replaced the radiator because the neck for the upper radiator hose were it joins the tank broke. This is plastic so it is going to break eventually.

Don't mean to scare you, but these are the things I have had to do with mine. I have been extremely pleased with the performance and service I have gotten from mine.

popeye52



MeToo
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
 Email

5/16/2003
09:06:44

RE: 92 Won't Start
IP: Logged

Message:
I had a similar situation before on my 92 3.9. Right after a tuneup I cruising to work one evening and it just died in the middle of the highway. Thank God it was at 11:00 at night. Anyway, the truck just sputtered and died. Turned out the BRAND NEW rotor in the distributor cap simply disintegrated. I read somewhere (on this forum?) that there is a connection somewhere on the driver side on the lower firewall that has a tendency to corrode giving the impression of a failed PCM. I apologize for not remembering exactly but it is a good place to start. And to Daniel, 118K is just broken in. These little things are darn near bullet proof. My 92, supposedly the worst year model of the GenII, has been absolutely dependable. Only stupidity on my part has caused downtime to my Dak. Ran it out of Gas once, the above mentioned rotor fiasco and running the poor thing into water. The latter cost me an engine rebuild, but it had 240K so it wasnt a complete loss. Just upset I didnt get to see 300K on the original motor.



Daniel
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE


5/20/2003
18:33:15

RE: 92 Won't Start
IP: Logged

Message:
And now the problems start. Ask for tips, get a trans leak. Just saw a puddle of tranny fluid under the heap. Whats next?........

Don't answer that!!!



1flamed92dak
GenII
 User Profile


5/20/2003
22:12:03

RE: 92 Won't Start
IP: Logged

Message:
Don't know who said that the 92 Gen II's are the worse Dakotas for reliability but I beg to differ I have owned my Gen II for 12 years and 102,000 miles and she has only left me stranded once with a broken distrubutor drive gear.So I replaced the distrubutor and drive gear and cap and rotor.Besides normal wear and tear the engine and drivetrain have been dead reliable I havent even cracked open the motor yet to replace one thing. I did a compression check and all the cylinders read 180-190lbs and the oil pressure guages reads a solid 65lbs at idle cold and 50lbs hot. Gone through 2 heater cores and a radiator.Enough ramblings They are real good trucks and I recommend them to anyone. NOW IF I COULD JUST KEEP THE CUPHOLDER FROM DEPLOYING ALL BY ITS SELF



Shank
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
 Email

5/21/2003
07:43:03

RE: 92 Won't Start
IP: Logged

Message:
Flame... Duct tape works wonders :) J/k

Popeye, could be 1 of a million things, between the engine tranny on the flex plate is a Crank Sensor that tells the engine when to fire, unfortunately this replacement requires pulling the engine or tranny to get to and is known to fail easily. If it died it will not do anything but crank over. Best of luck

the Gen 1 are purty reliable, my '93 3.9 made it 210,000 on original tranny and just after 217,000 I threw 3 rods out the bottom of the Oil Pan.

Daniel 2WD or 4? Check the rear seal, easy to replace and Cost about $6. And I REALLY hope you don't have the A500 tranny, not tryin to make you nervous or anything but they have a disentigration problem around 200,000 miles while runnin about 85mph, Just sumptin else for ya to worry about :p It will start out by hesitation shifting from 2nd-3rd and sometimes won't shift into overdrive for the 1st 15 miles or until the tranny warms up.

Shank



MeTooAgain
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
 Email

5/21/2003
22:16:52

RE: 92 Won't Start
IP: Logged

Message:
I know what you mean about the cup holder Flame....I feel obligated to keep something in it since it insists on remaining deployed. :)



popeye52
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
 Email

5/22/2003
09:12:52

RE: 92 Won't Start
IP: Logged

Message:
Thanks for the input. I am taking it to the Dodge dealer today. I think mine is probably a Gen 1 mangnum. I had to have the bushing where the distributor goes into the block replaced. It wore out and also messed up the cam shaft. This happened around 36,000 mi. But the dealer did it all under warranty.



J and J Auto
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
 Email

5/22/2003
21:19:47

RE: 92 Won't Start
IP: Logged

Message:
92 to 95 Drivers side about a foot behind the fuse
box in the wire harness there is a red feeder wire
that connects to 3 to 5 wires that likes to
deteriorate and a loss of connection occurs.

Off hand I can't remember which pin you can check
by the computer if no voltage that is usually the problem.

Very common

Larry
J&J Auto



bscanw
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
 Email

5/23/2003
00:00:36

RE: 92 Won't Start
IP: Logged

Message:
I have a 94 Dakota Sport 4x4 with the 3.9L, 5 speed. Was very hard to start the other morning, then got it started and heading for home everytime left off gas to shift it died, no sputtering or coughing - just died. Got it back to where I started from and got help to go back and look and it. It appeared to be a lack of gas - added some gas to tank and it started - managed to drive to gas station - thought maybe gauge had gone bad, but it only took 4 gal, so had plenty. Drove it home and it died once on way, but started up again ok. Pulled in my drive and it died and hasn't started since. At first checked to see if getting fuel and it was not,
played around a little and am now getting fuel (eventhough the fuel pump relay does not seem to be energizing) but am not getting spark. Checked and I am not even getting voltage to the coil at all. Anybody have any ideas ?




Shank
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
 Email

5/25/2003
22:46:43

RE: 92 Won't Start
IP: Logged

Message:
bscanw, I finally got mine back together today, It started 3 times by adding fuel straight into the TBI because my Fuel Rails were empty from the Re-Build. After the 3rd time it started I kept tinkering with it and finally got fuel to my Injectors and now I lost my Spark. I have juice to both wires going into the Coil w/Key ON but no spark comin out of the Coil on attempt to start. I replaced the coil and still have the same problem. Got a Laundry list of other things to check in the mornin & If I get it runnin I will be back to let ya know the end result.

Daniel-- Correction the crank sensor is easier to remove, Allen wrench (think it was 6mm) rear of the engine on Pass side about the 2 o'clock position there are 2 allen bolts visible from the top, remove the bolts and it slides easily out of the top.

Hope this helps
Shank



Al
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
 Email

7/10/2006
13:42:30

RE: 92 Won't Start
IP: Logged

Message:
Hey Guys, I have a 1993 3.9 V-6 5 speed. Runs great except when you come to a stop. If i hold the braks and do not feather it, it will shut off every time. Always starts right right back up. I have tuned it up, replaced EGR valve. And still shuts off. Can anyone help? has this ever happened to you?

Al



duhqota
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE


7/11/2006
11:08:14

RE: 92 Won't Start
IP: Logged

Message:
Al,
Sounds like possibly an intake leak, maybe try spraying starting fluid around the intake, and some of the hose coming off the TB. If engine smooths/stumbles etc. try to pinpoint spot you sprayed that changed engine note, go from there.

PLEASE STAY AWAY FROM EXHAUST MANIFOLD WITH SPRAY!!!!!!!!!!!! ALSO, IGNITION SYSTEM.



tnk auto
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
 Email

5/03/2010
17:18:10

RE: 92 Won't Start
IP: Logged

Message:
92 dodge dakota 4X4 318
the starter turns over but will not fire no spark
going to spark plugs changed them and coil and wires
what is the problem anyone thanks for the help




daddio
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
 Email

5/03/2010
17:55:02

RE: 92 Won't Start
IP: Logged

Message:
Check the splice in the wiring harness under the fusebox. 3 wires spliced to one. Red or Red/white. Clean the splice, solder and retape it. Also check for codes.



fotodak
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
 Email

5/03/2010
23:19:14

RE: 92 Won't Start
IP: Logged

Message:
Wow, a four year old thread resurrected!

Folks, if you have a problem with your truck, start a new thread-that way old threads aren't brought back and the OPs problem gets fixed without any confusion of who is talking to whom.



Allen
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
 Email

5/16/2015
21:28:27

RE: 92 Won't Start
IP: Logged

Message:
I recently bought a 92 3.9 5speed. It had no power. Acted like it was pulling a heavy trailer. Checked firing order. Number 1 was two positions off. Had to reposition cam drive gear to realign. New cap and rotor. Ignition coil is ok. Now won't start. Turning over acts (to me)like the injector timing and spark timing are not coordinated. Acts like it wants to start but will not. Last time I tried it let out one loud backfire. I am mechanically minded but this has me stumped. No help from Chilton manual. Any help out there? Thanks.



   P 1


Post a reply to this message:

Username Registration: Optional
All visitors are allowed to post messages


Name:
Email:
Notify me when I get a reply to my message:Yes  No

Icons:            

          

Subject:
Message:
 



Home | Forums | Members | Pictures | Contact Us

This site is in no way affiliated with Chrysler or any of its subsidiaries.