93' Dakota V6 Please Help

I have a 93' Dodge Dakota V6 automatic, which has always run great until lately.
It has always started with just a turn of the key and has not needed a "warm up"
time before being able to run. Now it won't start unless I pour gas into the
carbureator (actually, it is part fuel injectors and part carbureator) and needs time
to warm up the idle.
This is what happened:
A few months ago, I took it in for an inspection and also had the spark plugs and
oil changed and the battery cable clamps cleaned. Afterwards, it seemed to run a
little rough and sounded like the carbureator had been adjusted down some.
(I know these newer vehicles don't have that adjustment screw anymore but that
is the only way I know to describe it.)
At first I thought it might be the battery because it wasn't tighten on properly but
that wasn't the problem and it is a brand new battery.
Then a few weeks later it wouldn't start at all and sounded as if it were out of gas.
My neighbor poured gas in the carb. and it started. He told me to try some STP.
That really helped for a while but before that tank of gas was used up the trouble
of not starting was back.
For a while it would start if I took the airfilter off and opened the butterfly, I didn't
have to pour gas in every time.
I took it back to the mechanic and he tested the fuel pump and filter - they were
fine. He hooked it up to a computer and did some other tests but it indicated that
all the sensors and everything was working OK. He couldn't find anything wrong and said maybe I just need to run a higher octane gas. I filled it up with "super plus" at the
recomended station but it has not made a difference. It still will not start with out
pouring gas into the carb. Now it takes longer to warm up each time I start it.
It idles rough (up and down) so I think it is getting worse.
It runs fine after it gets going though and will start like it should throughout the
day until it sits for several hours or over night. Does anyone have any
suggestions? It is my only transportation and I would like to get it fixed
especially before winter.
Thanks

visit dodgedakotas.com, search & post problem
great response, good luck!!!!

Sounds like you have a pretty bad problem. I some of it really doesnt make sense because your injectors sound like they might be clogged because you did put the cleaner in there and then it it worked but now it is back to doing it. Plus that wouldnt explain why it runs fine when it is warm. A tech telling you that you should run high octane gas just floors me because you shouldnt run high octane gas in your truck. It sounds honeslty like it could be several things but all I can do is suggest some things. I would start where your mechanic started and check your plugs. Matter of fact I would buy some new plugs. Highly suggest the bottom of the line auto lites at Walmart. They run the best in the magnum motor. Be sure to gap them at .40. Your spark plug wire could also be the problem because if there is an open in them it could expand when it gets warmer and might make contact. So they are something else you might want to check. Including the wire that runs between your coil and your distrubter. Then if that doesnt work look at maybe your fuel injectors or a sensor. Your best bet might to be to take it to another mechanic. Just because the last one couldnt figure it out the next one might have seen the problem before. Another really good source of information would be Dakotausa.com. Good luck!

I had the same problem with my Dakota. I had to replace the fule filter then everything worked like a charm. The wierd thing was mine seemed to be having the problem more when I ran the AC. I also took mine to a mechanic, they looked at the fule pump and said it was fine. THe thing they didn't know is it was closing up when the truck was hot becuase the pump wasn't working correctly, something the mechanic couldn't test unless he took it for a two hour test drive. Trust me on the fuel pump. I had the Exact problem you were having. I had to carry around the STP stuff to spray into my carb. Not fun stuff. Just change your fuel pump, they are fairly cheap to get, and not to bad to change. Good luck!