Hi all,
I have a 1995 Dodge Dakota that just stopped running while driving the other day. I had been driving it with no issues prior. This has happened in the past a few times.
I drove about 10 miles to go someplace, it sat for an hour or so, and then I drove home and about half way home it stopped running. I was going about 55 on a highway and it just started to slow down. Still running but giving it gas just lowered the revs. After a few seconds it just completely died.
I pulled over and tried to restart it a couple times and it would crank but not fire. A couple times I got one or two pops.
I sat and finally gave in and called for a tow. While I was on the phone I decided to try it again and it fired up and then drove like normal. Got it home and parked it.
There was no CEL and I pulled no codes except 12 (battery disconnect) and 55 (end of codes).
Now some history:
About a year ago I had a problem where the engine would just not run right. After some tests, CEL codes, etc. I replaced the crank sensor and the throttle position sensor.
Since that time I have replaced basically all the sensors for one reason or other - cam sensor, temp sensor, o2 sensor, and idle air control.
In addition, it has new plugs, new wires, new coil, new cap, new rotor, new fuel pump/sending unit, cleaned fuel tank, and I checked and cleaned all the grounds in the engine bay.
These trucks have a common issue with the ASD relay power so I followed this procedure:
dodgeforum.com/forum/1st-gen-dakota-tech...-with-asd-relay.html
My wiring harness and splices in that area seem to be fine.
It's possible that this has nothing to do with electrical and could be a fuel issue or something. I had almost exactly a half tank of fuel so it's possible it got some water vapor in there and since it was cold it froze or caused some other fuel issue. I'll throw in a bottle of fuel additive just in case since it can't hurt. Dirty injectors?
The problem I'm having is not repeatable and with ODB1 I get no meaningful information. It happens only occasionally and appears to be completely random when it does - different speeds, different loads, etc.
Also, when I hold it really steady at about 2500-3000 RPM it seems like it isn't running completely smooth. If I decelerate or accelerate it seems fine. On a lot of back roads around here that's 40MPH in third gear for extended periods of time so I notice it. It never really falters or dies and doesn't have a discernible miss. And again no codes.
I am open to suggestions and can provide more details or test results if needed.
Thanks,
JF
