Re: New Guy Trying to Save an Old Dakota

From: Terrible Tom (SilverEightynine@aol.com)
Date: Thu Oct 28 2004 - 22:48:13 EDT


Mike Fox wrote:
> I have a '88 Dakota 4wd that has been parked for 3 years. I really would
> like to get it going for this winter. It has a 0 miles rebuilt 3.9 in
it but
> It has been sitting outside with the engine swap partially finished.
> I reconnected everything and it started almost right up but at first it
> would not idle. It would only run if I revved it a bit. I did get it
to run
> long enough to heat up a bit. At this point I took some time to flush the
> old gas out of the system and fixed up a few vacuum leaks etc. Now when I
> start it, it will only run for 5 seconds and then stalls right out.
The only
> way to keep it running is to push the pedal right to the floor and
hold it
> there and then it will chug for a few seconds until it dies. The only
> significant thing that I changed was that I found that the main harness
> ground had not been connected the first time I ran it.
> I pulled codes and I get 12 (makes sense, no battery for 3 years), 22
> (coolant sensor, I had this off for timing), 33(AC, this is normal I
don't
> have AC), and good old 55. I don't think I learned anything from this.
> I have the Chrysler shop manual and a copy of the 1988 Powertrain
Diagnostic
> Test Procedures Manual. This is an awesome book and would definitely
help me
> figure it out but every test in the book requires that you have a DRBII
> tester which I do not have.
> I have been lurking here for a few days so I know there are at least a
> couple of Gen1 guys here. I hope that some one might have a suggestion to
> get me moving in the right direction.
> thanks in advance.
> Mike Fox
>
>

AHhhhhh A fellow Gen I premagger 4x4 owner! YOU ARE WORTHY!!!

Welcome to the DML - I'm Tom - In addition to being the Official
"DMBDoMPfIWUMOT" -- I'll also be your official DML Truck Wash
representative. Allow me to welcome you to the DML by giving your truck
a thorough washing :)

(cough) anyway... you said you took the time to "flush the old gas out
of the system" - Just how did you do this? I would recommend visually
examining the interior of the fuel tank and hand cleaning it if
necessary. Best way to do this is to pull the bed off. You would be
surprised how familiar your "runs and then stalls immediately after"
description is - to having water contaminated fuel. Been there done
that - half a dozen times with two trucks.

Couple suggestions I can think of off the top of my head. Check fuel
for water contamination. That's the first thing I would do.

Check condition of the spark plugs, cap, rotor, wires. Check the
electrical connections at the ECM on the passenger side fender. Distrib.
pick up coil could also cause it to have problems.

There is a firewall-to-block engine ground that connects to the
firewall, directly to the left of the ignition coil and bolts to the
passenger side cyl head at the rear of the head. Is this the ground you
said you reattached?

As long as its getting the proper fuel pressure and the ignition system
is operating even halfassed - and the timing hasn't been screwed with -
it should run. Aside from having a dead ECM, poor ignition components,
or fuel problems - there is not much that will keep a premagger from
running, but lots can start to deteriorate when a truck sits outside in
the elements - neglected for so long.

Feel free to contact me anytime... at SilverEightynine (AIM or Yahoo) or
shoot me an email off list at SilverEightynine@aol.com

I wanna see some pics!! Got any? BTW - - where are you located
geographically?

-- 
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Attention Infidels: I am your official DBDoMPfIWUMOT!
Terrible Tom -- AIM & Yahoo Name: SilverEightynine
http://members.aol.com/silvereightynine/



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