98 dakota starting issues

[crengineer]

When i go to start my dakota in the morning I am having trouble getting it to start. Up until about 6 months ago it would start on the first try; almost immediately. Now I have to try at least 2 times to get it to start. If I hold gas pedal to the floor that does not help. If I let it crank for several seconds (> 10-15 seconds) that does not work.

I usually let the engine crank for a couple of seconds and then turn the key off and try again after a couple of seconds. It starts every time this way.

Can someone help me out here as to why this is happening?

Thanks in advance.

J.

[buddachef]

You need a new air filter buddy.

[crengineer]

Originally Posted by buddachef

You need a new air filter buddy.

If you don't have anything constructive to say then don't say it. I am not a total idiot that I don't know to change my air filter. besides for an air filter to cause what I am eperience it would have to be blocking all air from getting to the throttle body.

[w9awx]

Sounds like a fuel problem. This is not a air filter problem. Check your fuel pressure while cranking as well as with the key in the run position. My guess would be the fuel pump is not staying primed for some reason causing the pressure to bleed down. It takes a while for it to build pressure while cranking.

[dschweickert]

I have a 99 Dakota with a V-6. I had the same problem last year in August when I went to the Outer Banks (NC). One day the truck wouldn't start. I left it and came back a few hours later and it fired right up. After that for about two months it wqas hard starting. If I would turn the key on and wait a few seconds, then crank it would fire up right away. As it got cooler outside I noticed that it wasn't an issue until summer rolled around again this year. Again, I turn it on, wait a few and it cranks right up. Probably like the guy said - loosing pressure in the fuel line.