i have read the faq's and all the info related to the bad splice and the relays and various troubleshooting methods. here is what i get for info, is this a bad fuel pump?

i have constant power at pin 30. i get voltage for the coil of the relay for the fuel pump, and it clicks on turning the key and on trying to start. however, the only way it will start is if i pour gas down the throttle body. if i get under the truck and someone tries to start it or turn on the key, i don;t hear the whir like i remember hearing on other vehicles. i hear a click but nothing else in the tank. i shorted the 30 to 87 pin on the fuel pump relay and it sparks like there is a load and a clikc at the pump, but no fuel gets pumped. the wiring harness is good, the slices are good/fixed, and the relays are swapped with the starter relay and are good. am i dropping the tank tomorrow and replacing the pump?

please reply back soon if possible. thanks!
josh fancy

It sounds like were having the same or similar problems. You could try checking the camshaft sensor pickup in the distributor if you havent already. Mine was ok but it's easy to remove it and have a look. Check specifically that the steel ring with the tabs on it that is attached to the dist. shaft is not loose. It sounds like that is a common problem. I'd be interested in hearing what other have to say. I'm like you, Id rather not pull down the tank if its just a loose wire or a bad PCM.

When you pour gas in the throttle body and the engine starts, does it stay running??? I havent tried that. IF if does stay running I would say that the fuel pump is probably ok and maybe the PCM is screwed up. I'm getting tired of numb fingers and having to give my wife rides to work everyday and would love to figure out this mystery and move on!!!

the truck dies after the fuel is burned up. i don;'t get any whir from the fuel pump, even though it is drawing power at the relay. i am really leaning towards the pump being seized up, but it could also just have a bad ground. either way the tank has to come out to find out.

but like you, i would like a little confirmation before i go shell out the cash for a fuel pump.

Does anyone know if there is a plug anywhere in the power supply wire between the ASD relay and the fuel pump? May be along the frame somewhere near the fuel pump where I could check for continuity. I cant get at the electrical connections at the pump itself because its up there right up against the bed frame.

my pickup coil went out in the summer. and if I dumped fuel down the tb the engine would run for acouple seconds then die.

If you wanna check to see if the fuel pump is good or not without dropping the tank. then I would find the wire for the fuel pump and hook it upto a battery and see if it turns on.

but I bet its your pickup coil;)

i have a 1994 3.9 dakota sport that has no pressure in the rail but i just replaced the fuel pump but still no help i have also repleced the crank sensor with no help it wont fire at all, iwas wondering if anybody had simular problems? i have also swaped the relays but i have the multipoint injection so i dont think i can pour gas in the throtle body does this make sense?

you can still pour gas down the tb. however, did you do all the tests listed and check the connections that are known to go bad?

wanna know if the pump is bad just loosen the fuel line to the TB and turn on the key,no fuel bad pump.some fuel pump works but then at what pressure if the pump works odds are it has the correct pressure.since yoy stated before that the truck dies when the priming fuel is gone you have a bad fuel pump most likely.the only other option I can think of is a severe clog in you're fuel filter doubtfull but possible

i did the test mentioned in the post above but i also got the pump to ingage when i touched my test light to the #85 pin of the asd relay then i checked the spark and reliezed i have no spark is this the pcm? or is it possible for the cam shaft sensor to cause this?, all the splices appear to be good no corrosion.

hall effect pick up coil is most likely suspect,its the plastic thing at the base of the dist with the wires going to it if it isn't working you will have absolutely no spark and unfortunately there is no way to test it however odds are its bad if you have no juice...

low end pick up coil at advance auto parts is $28.88 part # EL367 GP SORENSON for dannys truck

so will this also not allow the fuel pump to ingage? i will go tommorow and get this part if this is the problem i have an advanced auto parts nearby. thanks.

I'm not sure about the fuel pump but if you don't have spark now you will

i tried the fuel pump suggestion by taking the hose off the pump side of the filter, and still no fuel. so... i picked up a used fuel pump and sending unit today for 100 dollars. now tomorrow in the wind and flurries, and about -10C temps, i get to drop a tank. YAY!!!!!

at least you know and the remedy isnt going to cost you your life savings........

Sent personal message
from another Nova Scotian

well, turns out, i checked the bad splice spots for corrosion and it had already been fixed. the relays checked out, and shorting the pins of the relay plug for the fuel pump showed signs of it drawing power, but no pumping. with the fuel line off the fuel filter on the pump side, still no fuel. so, today in the blistering cold and wind, i dropped the fuel tank (tnakfully only about half full) and swapped in the 100 dollar pump i got yesterday, and it runs fine. thanks to all who helped, and hopefully the info privided in this thread can help others as they have troubles with their dakota.

glad to help thats what we are here for

Hey Josh did you get my PM

i have replaced the hall effect pick up and still no start, i am leaning towards the computer being bad since i have no fuel pressure but the pump is good and no spark i also noticed that the check engine light does not come on when i turn the ignition on and i heard that was a sign of the computer being bad. does anyone agree with this?

I have heard that however the possibility exists that the bulb is just burned out...

Dannyboy, have you solved your problem?

I just replaced my fuel pump, external fuel filter and ignition coil. I'm not getting any fuel or a spark from the coil. The auto shutdown relay is clicking and I hear the fuel pump. Also sounds like the injectors are clicking. I disconnected the electrical connector to the distributor and touch jumped #2 & 3, the ASD relay was clicking, but still no spark from the injector, so according to shop manuals, it shouldn't be the hall effect or distributor. What could possibly be causing no fueland no spark???