Shortly before Thanksgiving had issues starting after a quick one minute drive around the neighborhood. I had forgotten something from the house and turned around to go back. I killed the engine, ran inside and immediately got back in the truck (30 secs tops). She wouldn't start. I contributed this to cold weather (about 20 degrees). After about 15 minutes she started with no problems. A week and half later after she had been sitting over the holiday weekend, again wouldn't start and once again I contributed it to cold weather (25 degrees).

Heater went out first week of December and the truck began to overheat. I promptly replaced my thermostat which was unmistakenly stuck open. Three weeks later the heat went out again, but no overheating problems. The heat never worked well, but always had warm air on lowest setting. Now only blows cold air on any setting. Without the heat causes another issue of not being able to defrost my windshield.

Monday night Jan. 12th my lights didn't come on properly. I pulled the **** on and off and the lights seemed to have a short in them. The parking lights seem to come on with no issue, however I've struggled to get and keep the headlights on causing hazards at night.

And yesterday as I was driving to work, came to a stop at a stop sign and waited for traffic to pass before I attempted my left turn. As a gradually accelerated, she died... in the middle of the road. She wouldn't start. After I got her pushed off the road and waited about 5 minutes she cranked right up. This morning she stuttered going through a four-way stop. She currently has about 3/4 of a tank of gas. It made me think I may have a problem with the fuel filter or pump.

I generally use 93 octane BP gasoline, and Dodge performs my routine maintenance. I'm not due for an oil change in almost 1000 miles. When I replaced my thermostat, I also drained and replaced my anti-freeze. I'm in serious need of assistance. I travel a lot and need to get this/these issues resolved asap. Is it simply one issue contributing to all my problems, or is my baby really just falling apart?

 

check fuel pressure see if it seeps off. Next I would replace the pump your self you can pick one up on ebay for cheap these days, if a dealer does it, something like 400 bucks.

 

Dakota fuel pumps sometimes have a problem where they won't prime right. Try turning on the ignition and listen for the pump to run. Wait 5 or 10 seconds with the ignition on and see if it starts then. If it does, you need a new fuel pump but the old one should still work, you will just have to wait to start the engine.

You also need to scan the PCM and check for trouble codes. They will point you in the right direction to find out what is wrong. The sputtering and stumbling at idle could be a dirty or defective Idle Air Control motor. It's on the back side of the Throttle Body. You can remove it and very gently clean the black crusty stuff off the pintle end. Clean it with a shop rag soaked in carburetor cleaner. Handle it very gently and do not drop it or you will need a new one. This is also a good time to remove the throttle body and clean it too and clean the little hole in the IAC orifice with a tooth pick or a q-tip. Check the o-ring on the IAC too. Reinstall the TB with a new gasket.

How is the MPG? If the MPG has been reduced lately it could be a bad or lazy O2 sensor, especially if your truck has over 100,000 miles on it. A lazy O2 may not store a trouble code but it can affect the performance of the IAC.

The headlights could be the headlight switch or the multi-function switch is bad. A Haynes book for your truck will have the directions and diagrams to test the switches with an ohm meter to see if it's shot. Or you can just get a new one and replace it. It's not very expensive.

If it hasn't been done in the last 25 or 30,000 miles it may be time for a tune-up with new plugs, wires, distributor cap and rotor. Use good quality parts from Napa or the equivalent. There should be no need to use 93 octane fuel.

The heater problem is probably a plugged/clogged heater core. There are posts here on how to back-flush it out. I don't know much about it because I live in Florida and very rarely do I need heat in my truck.

Check these few things out and see what you find.

Jimmy