Update On 98 Dakota.......

Ok I have spent today putting in a new fuel pump...........and still my Dakota will not start....does anyone have any idea what else the problem could be??? Or have any idea where online I can go to find out....I am open to any suggestions.

Thanks,
Shauna

Did you check the fuse? How about the relay? Sometimes we overlook the obvious. If you already have then check for power at the pump electrical connector.

Did you check the fuse? How about the relay? Sometimes we overlook the obvious. If you already have then check for power at the pump electrical connector.
OK where exactly is the pump electrical connector????Someone else said something about that too.......but me being a woman I have no clue....

It's the electrical connection on the fuel pump itself. Check with a test light or DVOM (multimeter).

It's the electrical connection on the fuel pump itself. Check with a test light or DVOM (multimeter).
Ok I checked the fuel line and there is no fuel going through it at all.........so I don't really know what that means

no power to the pump
perhaps a fuse, perhaps a relay, perhaps a bad ground connection. check all of the above that apply to your unit, and let us know

Are you sure there's gas in the tank?

Did you try the fuse, the relay, the wiring. If you are positive that fuel is not being pushed through the line then you have to find out why your pump is not pushing fuel (do not exclude the new pump may be faulty or there is a restriction somewhere in the line itself). You wrote that you replaced the fuel pump just recently because the truck did not start. Make sure that what you did was square. Make double sure that your relay energizes when you turn the ignition, make double sure your pump fuse is intact. Try grounding the pump. If all checks good then start tracing your wiring. Yeah, these are simple things but they are fundementals to a proper diagnostic. If you are not sure where these items are then you can buy/borrow a Hayne's manual on your Dakota. You said that you replaced your pump so I'm assuming that you did it yourself. I do not know if you know your way around an automobile or if you are just a parts-hanger. If you are a novice then I suggest you get someone to actually show you how to do it (that's more or less how I learn). Post Up.

Well I finally got the truck to start after replacing the fuel pump and having the shop put in a new crankshaft sensor.....I want to thank everyone who gave me there helpful ideas....glad there is somewhere like this when you need it.

Thanks again,
Shauna

You probably didn't even need the fuel pump. The crankshaft sensor was probably all that was messed up.