Engine will not start

Well, this is it. After all is said and done Mr. Compo has done all that he can. Four new sensors and still no start. Locals will only help if my truck becomes their contract item. Those of you who have assisted me in my situation have been awesome. I have worked with my former on his vehicles and motorcycles, before computers, and I am sure if he were here he would have it running. He passed away some years ago. I do have one more option and that is going to a larger auto shop with more sophisticated equipment, but that will take a bit of time. Many thanks for all your input. I understood what you were telling me as I have the Chrysler shop manuals for my truck, but I chose the wrong mechanic. If you do not have the right equipment and run into a problem you can only go so far. Again, many thanks. All of your directions were on the money. Keep me in mind because when I do get it running I will definitely let you know what the glitch is/was causing the problem. EDawson.

All I know has already been given to you all. Like I said, the only thing wrong was the water pump and that got replaced and the truck ran great. The clutch gave out on way home so back to the shop it went. Disconnect the CPU, drop transmission, replace clutch plate and through out bearing, put in new CPU and no start. Put in new flywheel and put everything back in place. Still no start. All this has been done at least four times with four new CPU's all according to procedure. The machine you recommended is not available at this shop. So I get back a non opt vehicle and am already working on finding a different repair shop with more sophisticated equipment. I agree with the wiring, but without the right tool MR. Compo cannot check that possibility. Since there is a "shut off" switch somewhere nothing will get that engine to turn over and run. That sensor have to be exactly correct or the signal is not right. Things happen and it is what it is. Definitely will inform you what is discovered. Good or not so good. Those of you who have tried to help have been fantastic and have done a great job in trouble shooting the situation. Thanks. EFD

Thanks for the try. We call that a WAG. Mr. Compo has thrown in the towel and will deliver my vehicle Monday or Tuesday. At this point in time enough is enough. He has been working on this problem since March. I think that is more than enough time to resolve the issue. Now, I just need to have my truck back in my possession. Tags have expired, I have the new ones. There will be no further work on my vehicle by Mr. Compo. Will keep you informed. EFD

I said I would keep you up to date about that 1996 Dodge engine would not start. Did a lot of searching and found one who was willing to talk with me about the truck. He chuckled a bit and said he cut his teeth on a Dakota. Gentleman asked many questions about the vehicle and such. He gave me many ideas and his shop now has my truck.
Steve, Ken and all who tried to help me were great and I highly recommend the site to all who ask and then some.

I did have my truck returned to me and it took me a day to finally get in it. I have never had a mechanic soil my vehicle as this one has done. I am a non smoker cigarette burn in carpet. I am the original owner and only driver. Insult to injury, my locking gas cap was torn out and gas was stolen. It had a full tank when it left my home. I did manage to get back my Chrysler shop manuals. Now the kicker is this. I have driven that truck over 195.000 or more miles and know the feel of that truck. One must have the clutch pedal to the floor before the engine will start. Supposedly it was designed that way, no start unless completely depressed. Well, it shifts nicely, but the clutch has no "tension" on it and goes to the floor in a blink. Many things went through my mind cannot print them. Needless to say I shall not recommend that mechanic to anyone All the time and emails were on the money, they gave me all the courtesy I could have asked for and they did an outstanding job trying to help. Having the shop manuals helped me to understand. My truck is twenty two years old and yes parts are wearing out. That is how it goes. If you want to keep something take care of it. Well, that is it for now. The only way I can let you know what went wrong with my truck is if you send me a response. I am anxiously waiting to learn what happened and I would like to think you and all who helped would be curious, as well.

Ms. Edwina F. Dawson

To Steve and all the crew who did their best in assisting me with problem of no start 1996 Dodge Dakota 4X4. Again every one of you were great and each had the answer to what did happen. The certified mechanic did replace clutch plate and throw out bearing and in so doing damaged some wires, crossed wires which shorted the computer, failed to check hydraulics (clutch failed when new shop tested vehicle) While vehicle was at his shop it was vandalized and being that I am a non smoke I found a cigarette burn in driver's side carpet. In reality I did not need a new fly wheel or 4 sensors. Each of you who had answers were on the correct track. Unfortunately this mechanic needs more training, His workmanship left my vehicle with more damage than when he started. He, also needs better equipment. I now have a reputable shop which has mechanic training posted for all to see. Yes, the problem was searched out as you described and having the proper equipment were able to locate the problems. The cost of all this is triple of what it was supposed to be. What happened to this shop leaves me with a distrust of this mechanic and a wariness of others, This new shop has gone out of their way to assist with keeping me posted and I am overwhelmed by their customer service ... Awesome. Awesome is what you gentlemen have been is your responses. When asked what happened to my truck I tell them. I, also, recommend this website as the responses were great and on the money. I became suspicious when I kept getting stalled and finally had my vehicle returned to me less the driveshaft. Oh, yes, the new shop informed me that it was missing. It took Mr. Two days to give it back to me! This has been a learning lesion. I have learned. This has been better than a soap opera/comedy. Thanks again to all of you. Considering you gave me accurate information without seeing the vehicle was awesome. What the "new" shop described to be was as you had described in your responses to me. This is it. All the mysteries from Mr have been resolved (solved). Am looking forward to having my truck back shortly. I have driven rentals because of this and although they are nice with all the bells and whistles, I still prefer my standard 5 speed truck.

EFDawson

Ken,

it was a comedy of errors. The certified mechanic, Mr.. When working on the clutch plate and throw out bearing somehow damaged some wires. He, also, managed to cross some wires and that shorted the computer. Upon further checking my truck I was informed that my drive shaft was missing. It took two days for Mr. ---- To return it to me. While my vehicle was in his shop it was vandalized. However, I now have a new computer and the vehicle starts without any problems. Upon driving it home my clutch went out again. I was again towed and the results were ... My hydraulics failed. It has now cost me three times what I paid for the original work. As I previously stated ... Everything you gentlemen directed to do and check is what the second mechanic did to find the problem. Now I am wondering if I really needed a new fly wheel at all and could it just have been my hydraulics which failed in the first place. All of you were awesome and right on the money with the possible problem considering you had not seen the vehicle. Yes, you are the experts and I have learned a great deal about my truck. I still have the Chrysler Shop Manuals and they will be my reading material or the winter.
Thanks again,
EFDawson

Getting an attorney is not an option due to the fact we live on the same street and an incident took place at his residence which gives the whole neighborhood concern. I thought things like that took place elsewhere, but it happened here. Fortunately my house is a rock face and the projectile was a small caliber so it did not penetrate. Seems like the other half believes that is how you handle situations. I think you get the hint?
Yes, things happen and not all auto body /repair shops are like that. I moved here in 2005 and needed some maintenance on my truck. I am not fond of Fire... But this one was close and everyone gave it high marks. The crew at this F/S were superb. They treated me great and kept my truck up to par. They treated everyone with respect and consideration. "This is what you need right now" ... "This can wait ". For 10 years they worked on my truck and they taught me things about it as well. Unfortunately this "station" closed and everyone relocated to various other shops. They were all over the Metro and I relocated ... Needed work on the Dodge, this one mechanic was recommended. Maybe for working on lawn mowers ... LOL. No, take that back... I will work on that myself. Yes, this new place ... 30 miles from where I live ... Have taken the time to come and get me so that I can pick up my truck. They told me all that they did to find the problems and it could have been what all of you recommended to be done. Deja vue. They made me feel important ... This customer trusts us with her vehicle and to them that trust is important. Totally different attitude. Mr.... Still has not offered any assistance, refund or anything. Not even an apology. Lesson learned.

As for my reading for the winter, well. I will put it to you this way. My back porch needed work done ... Wood rot and stairs replaced. Yep, read material during winter and replaced 1/4 of that porch, new stringers for the stairs, new 4x4/s for support, etc. Did better than the original. Granted automobiles are different but I can get a better understanding of what it takes to work on them. :Yes, used to help former work on his racing motor cycle. Learned to set railroad ties for fence post for horse corral. I am too old to do things like that now but I like being informed.

Again, you gentlemen were awesome. I cannot say thank you enough for teaching me a few things and pointing me in the right direction. Granted it was a fiasco, but I learned a great deal. I would not hesitate to recommend 2carpros. Com to anyone who likes working on their own vehicles. Thanks again, and take care.

EFDawson