i have a 97 dakota i just stopped running ,if it sits for a wial it will crank up and run for a little bit ten just start spitting and shut down .
i let it sit or two weeks then it crunk up and ran for about two days then the same thing .it wont even crank at all when it does this i have to leave it alone for a wial then crank it .?????????????????????????

 

clogged fuel filter or bad fuel pump or both!

 

I will move this to the 2nd Generation Dakota sub-forum.

 

Had the same problem with a 99 Dakota 5.2 V8, turned out to be the cam position sensor. You can take it to an auto zone or ? They will read the code for you, they said the sensor was bad but didn't sell the part, so I got one at Napa cost $42. It's located under the rotor in the distributor, easy fix, just a little tight getting to it. I'm thinking the 3.9 is the same but I'm not positive. Hope this easy fix solves your problem.