2003 Dodge Dakota

flying belgian · May 11, 2022

Couple months ago I got this pu with 275,000 miles I asked you what could be wrong if it won't idle when engine cold. You said it was probably some little valve on back of carb needs cleaning or replace. I took it off, cleaned it up, tapped on it with a wooden hammer. And put it back on. Bingo. Thing idles and runs real nice when engine cold or hot. Now the next thing is it cranks a long time when you start it. Always did. It cranks real fast and always starts but it seams like it should start faster without all that cranking. Could that be that same valve on carb? What did you call that valve? And should I replace it for my starting problem?

dhermesc · May 11, 2022

This thing has a carb?

flying belgian · May 11, 2022

racered57 · May 11, 2022

(quoted from post at 18:03:57 05/11/22) Couple months ago I got this pu with 275,000 miles I asked you what could be wrong if it won't idle when engine cold. You said it was probably the idle air control valve on back of the throttle body needs cleaning or replace. I took it off, cleaned it up, tapped on it with a wooden hammer. And put it back on. Bingo. Thing idles and runs real nice when engine cold or hot. Now the next thing is it cranks a long time when you start it. Always did. It cranks real fast and always starts but it seams like it should start faster without all that cranking. Could that be that same valve on throttle body? What did you call that valve? And should I replace it for my starting problem?

Fixed it for you.
Answer,no.
Check fuel pressure first.
Paul

gab · May 11, 2022

I think that's a throttle body with a fuel injector in each hole, Not a carb, and the thing you're talking about is the idle air control on the back.

pete 23 · May 11, 2022

Ahhh, carburetor. Only if someone did some major switching of engines . Throttle body looks like a carburetor.

What normally happens when it takes a lot of cranking to start is fuel is leaking back and most likely place on a Dakota is the fuel regulator which is right on top of the fuel pump in tank.

Should hear pump run for a couple seconds when you turn key on and do not attempt to start engine. Do this three or four times and see if it will pop off easily then.

You need to check fuel pressure and see if it holds pressure when you shut engine off. Happened to my Dakota, pump was fine but regulator leaked back.

Took tank off and replace fuel pump, Worked fine but gauge was wrong, pulled tank again and replaced fuel pump with better quality pump. THEN I CUT a hole in floor of pickup so if any more problems would be easy fix. Sealed and strapped hole but easy to remove if necessary.

flying belgian · May 11, 2022

Okay, its a throttle body. I'm just not real engine minded. I will try the key on and off thing and see if it starts fast then. Thanks.

MoMac · May 12, 2022

Way back in the late 70's I had a CJ 7 Jeep that started doing that but only on the first start of the day. Drove me crazy until I found a crack in the fuel vapor canister. It's the little things that can ruin a good thing. Mike

2003 Dodge Dakota

flying belgian

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dhermesc

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flying belgian

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racered57

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gab

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pete 23

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flying belgian

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MoMac

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