My 1998 Dakota cranks up and then goes dead after about a second or 2. I keep starting it up and eventually it will stay running. Next time I get in it to go somewhere it may do OK but the problem is getting more frequent. It has only 40,000 miles and is a 6 cyl. I have recently acquired the truck and it had this problem before.

I think an electrical part was changed when it had the problem in the past but it would resume the problem after a few months. The situation may have occured more than once with a part changed each time and the problem improving but not going away.

The truck was my fathers and my mom remembers the problem as described above. The dealership that attempted the repairs is no longer around. Now the more I drive it the worse the problem gets.

Any ideas? Thanks for your help

 

sounds like, a alternator.

 

try keeping the gas pedal pushed down when you start it and if it stays running, its more than likely your TPS sensor.
check for codes.

 

Yes, it will keep running if I keep the gas pedal depressed. So will try TPS sensor.

thanks

 

probably your low on blinker fluid

i would say +1 on the alternator. my old jeep did the same thing, i gave it a brand new mean green alternator and the problem just went away.

 

id say the alternator as well, check the condition of your ignition system while your at it.

 

i had that problem and it was the TPS sensor, but it threw a code for the TPS.

 

Changed the TPS sensor. It actually got worse. Put the old one back on and it starting running OK for now. But now it is showing a code. It says "TPS sensor A circuit high input" Before, it was showing no code. Any more sugesstions?

 

that was the code i had before i changed the tps. make sure you didnt put it on upside down and make sure the two screws that hold it on are not too tight. you could have also gotten a faulty sensor. Reset the pcm after you change sensors by disconnecting the battery and touching the positive and negative cables together for a few seconds.

 

it'll throw the code anytime the TPS is removed, wont it? Just have to clear it.