The fuel pump regulates the amount of fuel that makes it to your Dodge Dakota engine. When the fuel pump starts to fail, it will send too little fuel to the engine, causing it to stall. This problem could leave you stranded, so it is important that you change the fuel pump at the first sign of any trouble. Replacing a Dodge fuel pump is not hard to do, and you can save money by doing it yourself.
Park the Dodge in a well-ventilated area and turn off the key. Open the fuse box under the dash and unplug the fuel relay. Start the Dakota and run it until it stops. This will relieve the fuel pressure. Open the engine compartment and disconnect the negative cable from the battery.
Raise the rear end of the Dodge with the automobile jack. Place a jack stand under it and raise it up to the frame. Disconnect the fuel line using a wrench and drain the gas into the drain pan. Remove the mounting bolts from the fuel tank brackets using a socket and ratchet. Lower the gas tank to the ground. Unplug the wiring harness from the fuel pump at the gas tank.
Remove the lock ring from the gas tank using the fuel pump tool. Remove the fuel pump from the tank as well as the O-ring. Discard the O-ring.
Install the new O-ring on the fuel pump opening. Install the new fuel pump and tighten the lock ring using the fuel pump tool.
Raise the gas tank into position under the car. Tighten the nuts on the fuel tank bracket using a socket and ratchet. Connect the fuel line to the tank and tighten it with a wrench. Pour the gasoline back into the tank through the fuel fill.
Plug the fuel pump relay into the fuse box under the dash. Connect the battery terminal and tighten the nut with the wrench.
