Hi, my 96 Dakota sport keeps stalling. At one point it will start and the next minute it won’t. It’s firing but acting like it’s not getting fuel. I’ve replaced the throttle position sensor and the iacv. And cleaned the throttle body where the iacv goes. It still won’t stay running. The fuel pump is supposedly new according to the seller that I bought it from. Any ideas what I need to do next. I’m on a tight budget but want it fixed right

 

Getting any codes?

 

No codes

 

Reset the PCM anyway, and force it to re-learn idle. Disconnect battery, turn on headlights, count to ten, turn off headlights, reconnect battery. Turn the ignition to ON, (not start) count to ten, then start the engine. (don't touch anything.) PCM should re-learn idle fairly quickly...... See if it makes any difference.

 

Here's a minor definition problem.

Did you run the key dance and get at least the 55 "End Of Codes" code?

Some codes will be pending and show up in the key dance but not light the light.

SOME codes won't even set the light on!

RwP

 

Hi, thank you for the information. I will do that tomorrow providing the truck wants to cooperate. There is a new thing it is doing. Tonight when I went out to start her up there was nothing when the key was turned to the on position. The first two clicks I had all dash lights, radio lights, the buzzer, like it was all good. As soon as I turned the key the next click to on there was nothing. I could see a very faint glow from the oil light. And it was super dim. I turned the key off for a minute and then back on. Still nothing. I took the key out of the ignition for a couple minutes. Checked the battery terminals which were good. Got back in the truck and turned the key and there was still nothing. When I turned the key off again all the dash lights flashed on as I was turning to off position, so I turned the key back on and the truck started. What is that all about. I’m sure it’s a short because my overdrive gets turned on by itself sometimes. Or is it my computer. Please help. Thanks

 

Try cleaning the original IAC valve. Word is the aftermarket ones are often no good, they're not sensitive enough. All of my Dakotas have had stalling issues and cleaning the stock IAC has helped on all of them.

 

As to the problem - I'm a small bit confused. The idiot lights don't light up until it's ON, but do you mean when you turned to START it went pearshaped?

That could be a battery problem, a battery cable problem (pro tip: They DO have two ends!) or an ignition switch problem. That's a sure sign of a bad battery cable or battery, though; as soon as the current demand of the starter hits it, it goes "mama" in a small tiny voice and proceeds to assume the fetal position sucking its thumb

RwP

 

Hi Ralph, it very well may be the battery like you say. It’s not the right battery for the truck, I’m sure. It was in the truck when I bought it and it barely takes up half the battery tray. I had to have triple A come out to jump it once because it got drain fast when I put a new headlight switch in it cuz I had no dash lights. I think there may be a short too cuz the over drive has come on by it self 3 or 4 times now. I’m on a fixed income and this truck is killing me but I need it. It sat for a couple years before I bought it. Ran great for the first week or two. Even passed smog with flying colors. Then all of a sudden it started stalling. This morning it was really stalling and back firing and just choking out. I cleaned the old iacv. Going to take the new one back off, clean up the throttle body and put the old one back in and see what happens.

 

I feel ya but let me suggest something. Save your money and long term nickel and dime problems and go to a name brand battery store (so whatever you buy is properly backed up) and get the battery, cables and alternator checked. If you need new get new. Don't go cheap even if you have to eat mac & cheese for a month to afford it.
I read your thread and that battery not being right sized for the job stands out. To explain your two weeks grace it was probably newly charged and slowly running down to where you are now. The ignition switch might also be a problem but AFAIK you have to know your battery and alt are good before trying to sort that out.