So my Dakota has been getting plenty of use lately between all the snow plowing and using it frequently as a backup car. Just today though I go out to start it and it sputters and dies. Cranking and cranking, finally with some throttle it fires, but it won't idle. I have to keep my foot in it to keep it running until its pretty much warmed up. Let off the throttle and it either rough idles and dies or just instantly shuts off. I haven't actually had a moment to look at it yet, but anyone have any ideas?

 

I'm having this same problem. Although mine won't start completely sometimes. Try this. When it's cold out and it does this, remove the computer (pass side of engine bay on wheel well) bring it inside and warm it up. Go back out and plug it in. If it runs good, computer is going bad. This will be my 3rd time replacing my computer this weekend (if I manage to find one again...)

 

carboned up throttle body? and or AIS motor(automatic idle sensor ) that thing with the plunger and like 4-6 wire connector on it ..

this.. as reference:
http://makparts.en.alibaba.com/produ...3030657AC.html

but i would pul it out and clean it out with carb cleaner first... also what u can do to test this theory is remove a small vacuum line like cruise control or soemthign to see if ti idles up, if so, more then likely its this, also check air filer and throttle body for obstructions, i had a piece of silicone somehow blockign the port were this sensor lets air in when i had my 92 5.2

 

In order to warm the computer up, we found it a bit easier to box the computer in, turn the ignition on and put a hair dryer on it for few minutes until you hear the pump kick in.

 

I'll look into it guys. Lately its been idling and not stalling, but occasionally (sitting for more than overnight) it runs rough at idle for a minute then smooths out. This morning it did that and I tried to drive it before it smoothed out and it was trying to idle really low after that for a couple minutes.
The cold seems to have an effect. The colder it is out the worse the symptoms are.

 

Mine was the same. Wouldn't start at all when really cold(-20 degrees c), ran like crap when moderately cold(-10 degrees c), and ran great when warm (above 0 degrees celsius)