Need help fixin' a 95 dodge

I need some help, my Dads 95 dakota is running like crap. First off it doesn't like to start, you have to let the fuel pump kick in three or so times before trying to start it then usually starts. some times though just recently it wont turn over it will just click when you turn the key to start. It also beggins to shake at about 1800-2100 RPMs does any one know why this is? We were thinking that it could be a bad sensor or some thing like that. has anyone ever have this happen to them before? Oh by the way the dakota is the V8 magnum 4 WD with 84K on it.

For the not starting, how old is the battery? Have you ever changed the starter? Check the battery with a voltmeter or multi-meter. If thats good, then your starter maybe on the way out.

As for the shaking, have the tires and/or wheels been changed recently? One of them could be out of balance. Could also be a U-joint going bad.

Hope this helps
Dan

That sounds like a fuel delivery problem. Do you know where the check & relief valve is? Left rail on
the back. It looks like a schrader but isn't. You need
42 #. Your shake at 1800\2100 could be starving
also. Sounds like you need your first new pump.

Its been a while since I have posted, and I have done lots of work on the Dakota. I have replaced the plugs, change the starter, and replaced the ball joints. Most of the problems are gone, however, the engine doesn't always start on the first turn of the key, and the truck seems to have lost alot of its low end power does anyone know what I should do?

Yes, and in that time I lost an O2S that was less than 15,000 miles old. Before you post again you have to check your codes, and check your vaccum. When you say "turn of the key" are you giving the pump the 2 seconds it needs to prime the system?? Your oxygen sensor may be at the end of it's service life. But, when are you getting the low end power loss? If it's happening in open loop, when you first start it, it physical in nature. If it only happens after warming up, it's computer related. O2S, IAC motor, MAP sensor, and TPS all play a part. That is IF your fuel pump is putting out the required 44-49 pounds, at the check valve on the rail. Oh yea, there's also the little matter of the torque on your intake manifold bolts. they don't hold worth a damn. This is a multi-step process to get them to 12-16 ft. lbs, maximum. I think the first thing you need to look at is vaccum, you want no more than 18.5 in. at idle. And check your vaccum hose fittings, if any are loose, get some mini worm clamps. Let us know what you find. Biff

try and replace your tps sensor

This is probably done with by now.

Hey thanks alot for all of the help guys,I did check some of the stuff that you guys said, but I started to get into stuff that i did not understand, so I said f*ck it and since it needed Pa inspection and emmssions I took it down to a trusted dealer. He cleaned 6 of the injecters, the other 2 were shot and needed to be reploaced. Also although the fuel pump was keeping the right amount of pressure, it wasn't sending the right volume of fuel. so he also replaced the fuel pump. He did a real good job, because the truck feels like a whole new truck.