I have a 94 dakota 318 thathas been stalling out at random. I could be going 70mph or at a stop. All the gauges go out as well as the indicator lights but the radio stays on. Sometimes it will just crank after it stalls, and sometimes it starts up again. One thing I noticed was that not all of the dummy lights eluminate when trying to start it after it stalls. The check engine and park brake light sometimes are not on. When they do come on it starts again. I have checked the wire harness for bad splices but everything test fine and there is no sign of corosion. No error codes are logged. I need some serious HELP. Any ideas??

 

Sounds like you have a problem with the wires for the power of the computer or The auto shut down realy. Check to make sure the connector is nice and tight for the computer and check the wires on the battery. check the wires at the distibution box.

 

find the auto shut down relay and check for corrosion in the wiring.

 

Thanks for the responses. All the wires are free of corrosion and tight. I checked the underside of the distribution box for bad connections as well. Any other ideas? I have switched the relays as well and no change.

 

had one do the same thing it was the engine computer. does it seem to hardly start back then die again?

 

Sometimes it will start right away, but lately it has gotten worse and it could take about 30 min before it starts again. The strage thing is when it stalls I have no dummy lights to tell me it stopped running. Until I turn the key to the off position and try to start it again I don't get the normal dummy lights to come back on. The only error logged is error code 12 which the battery has not been disconnected for over a year.

 

just a guess but have you tested the ignition coil or distributor?

 

Replace the CPS (Crankshaft Position Sensor)

When broken it will cut off the fuelpump, and a part of it may be so broken that is does not throw an error.

 

Would the CPS cause the voltage on the gauge to ride high (about 16V)? I noticed that when I put the turn signal on now it causes the voltage gauge to go back and forth also. I'm taking the time today to test the CPS and coil and any other sensor that you can test with a ohm meter. Thanks guys I'll post back what I find.

 

[:@]I'm about to give up on this truck. Everything tested fine. It seems this is a common occurence for the Dakotas to die while drivingfrom all of the posts. Any other ideas from anyone? I'm considering selling it and buying another vehicle but don't want apayment every month. Nor do I have a mechanic that I trust (nooffence to anyone here). Does anyone know of a trustworthy mechanic in the Concord CA area? HELP!