Having problem with running then loosing power.

Asked by Try2Fixit Dec 31, 2014 at 10:11 PM about the 1995 Dodge Dakota SLT RWD

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

At first when my fuel tank would get to a quarter tank it would sputter and if I tried to apply power it would stall all together but, If I kept a little pressure on the fuel pedal it would keep going but not above 40 mph. If the tank was full... No problem.   NOW it started sputtering yesterday and when trying to give it throttle it sputters but would idle.... NOW today...It wont start at all.  Fuel pump? O2 sender?  Fuel filter?  I'm lost
It has the 318 in it with multi port fuel injection.

2 Answers

13,725

hi you say that you would loose power with half a tank in the vehicle and have no problem with a full tank..//it sounds like your fuel pump module feed line may have a crack or a small hole in ....// with a full tank the fuel actually covers up the crack or hole and helps keep pressure in the line and feeds the fuel system enough fuel to keep it running some what good...// but as soon as your level goes below the open it just pumps the fuel back into the tank lowering the psi on the feed line more to the point it is more evident ...your engine should have a port on the pass side fuel rail were a fuel pump gauge can be screwed in and the fuel pressure can be monitored ....// running pressure should be around 52 psi give or take a few pounds...and should not drop more than 5 psi while driving down the road ....// also the fuel pump regulator is on top of the fuel pump module and when the engine is shut off the pressure should hold at 52psi and not drop off right away (it will over an 8hr period)....// my guess is that you have a bad pump module assy and it should be replaced ...but I would check the pressure first

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