Starting Issue getting fuel but no spark?

1998 DODGE DAKOTA

160,000 MILES • AUTOMATIC

SWEETIE1965

MEMBER
180 POSTS

I recently purchased this truck.it has a 3.9ltr engine. It takes 2 people to do this. While one person is in the truck cranking it over, another person wiggles the wires on the ECM on the plug for the ECM closest to the fone end of the truck the engine will start and run. Other than that it just cranks over. I took it to a shop to get it diagnosed. The service writer told me the ECM is bad. I don't think it is because someone just wiggles the wires by the ECM plug and the truck starts and runs. I just want to know which wires to check and does the wires need power to check them? All the dash lights come on as they should. I have changed the ASD relay,I checked all fuses, it has a new battery. Its getting fuel but no spark. But when the wires by ECM plug gets wiggled around, the engine starts and runs great. I can't figure out which wire(s) could be doing this. I don't have a wiring diagram for it. Thank you ahead of time.

Apr 28, 2026 at 7:31 AM

SWEETIE1965

MEMBER
180 POSTS

This truck is getting fuel but no spark. Someone can be inside the truck cranking it while another person wiggles the wires for the ECM, closest to the front of the truck,the engine will start and run. It has a 3.9 liter rear wheel drive. A service writer at a local shop told me the ECM is bad. The dash lights come on, the battery is good all fuses to my knowledge is good, I changed the ASD relay. When someone cranks it and another person wiggles the wires at the plug closest to the front of the truck, the truck will start and run pretty good. I just don't know what I need to do to get it running like it should. What do you think I should do? Thank you ahead of time

Aug 4, 2026 at 9:26 AM (Merged)

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

✓Experienced Mechanic
110,236 POSTS

Hi:

The first thing I would suspect is damage or corrosion on the connector pins. By chance, have you closely inspected them? As far as the PCM, if the pins are broken, it may need to be replaced, but I would first be checking the connector pins.

Let me know if you have already done this. If so, what was found? Also, double-check the wires at the connector for internal damage.

Let us know.

Joe

Aug 5, 2026 at 7:54 PM

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