How To Test The Fuel Pump (1997-1999 V8 Dodge Dakota, Durango)

How To Test The Fuel Pump (1997, 1998, 1999 Dodge Dakota And Durango)

This tutorial will show you how to test the fuel pump on the 1997, 1998, 1999 Dodge Dakota and Durango equipped with the 5.2L and 5.9L V8.

You'll need a fuel pressure test gauge to test the fuel pump's fuel pressure. If you don't have one, I'll show you where to buy one.

In Spanish You can find this tutorial in Spanish here: Cómo Probar La Bomba De Combustible (1997-1999 Dodge Dakota Y Durango) (at: autotecnico-online.com).

IMPORTANT: Gasoline and starting fluid are extremely flammable! Be very careful. Take all necessary safety precautions and stay alert. You'll be able to accomplish both tests, indicated in this article, without any unhappy consequences, if you're careful and use common sense.

Symptoms Of A Bad Fuel Pump

The fuel pump, on your Dodge Dakota or Durango, will fail in one of two ways. Usually it'll stop working completely and the engine won't start.

Or it'll work, but not supply enough fuel to the engine. In some cases it's enough fuel to start the engine, but not enough to keep it running under load.

Here are some of the symptoms you'll see with a defective fuel pump:

When the fuel pump is not supplying enough fuel for the engine to run optimally under load, you'll see:

  • Backfire and explosions coming out of the throttle body.
  • Lean fuel trim trouble codes lighting up the check engine light.
    • P0171: Lean Air/Fuel Mixture Bank 1
    • P0174: Lean Air/Fuel Mixture Bank 2

Although the above list is a not a very complete list of symptoms, a defective fuel pump will either cause the engine to not start or run very badly.

Where To Buy A Fuel Pressure Test Gauge

The following fuel pressure tester kits include the Dodge Schrader valve adapter you need to test the fuel pressure on your Dodge Dakota or Durango.

TEST 1: Fuel Pressure Test With Gauge

How To Test The Fuel Pump (1997, 1998, 1999 Dodge Dakota)

This is the most accurate way to find out if the fuel pump has failed and is causing your Dakota (Durango) to 'crank but not start' is to test it with a fuel pressure test gauge.

Your Dakota or Durango's V8 engine comes equipped with a Schrader Valve to which the fuel pressure test gauge is attached to.

If you don't have one, you can run down to your local auto-parts store and borrow one. Or, you can buy one online. You can can check out my recommendations here: Which And Where To Buy A Fuel Pressure Gauge.

NOTE: The 1997, 1998, and 1999 V8 fuel pressure specification is: 44-54 PSI with the engine at idle, but this specification will also apply if the engine does not start.

These are the test steps:

  1. 1

    Connect the fuel pressure gauge to the Schrader valve on the fuel rail.

    The photo above shows the location of the Schrader Valve.

  2. 2

    Have your helper to crank the engine while you observe the fuel pressure tester's gauge.

  3. 3

    Your fuel pressure gauge will register one of the two following results:

    1.) The fuel pressure gauge will register 44-54 PSI, or

    2.) The fuel pressure gauge will register 0 PSI.

OK, let's analyze your test results:

CASE 1: Fuel pressure is 0 PSI. This test result tells you the fuel pump is not supplying the fuel the engine needs to start.

In the majority of cases, you can replace the fuel pump and call it a day. Still, I recommend that you check that the fuel pump is getting 12 Volts as the engine is cranking. This is just to make sure that the fuel pump relay and fuse are OK and doing their job.

CASE 2: Fuel pressure is within the specification indicated. This is the correct test result and tells you the fuel pump IS NOT defective.

This test result also tells you that something else is causing your Dodge Dakota or Durango's 'no-start' problem.