I'm having some issues with my 03 dodge dakota 4.7L rwd automatic.

Soo christmas eve, we started getting a weird noise on acceleration, its hard to describe.. I wish I took a video of it. The acceleration was VERY weak too, it would rev higher but it didn't feel like it wanted to take off.

Being in a bad location, we had no choice but to try and use the speedway to get home. as we accelerated onto the highway the sound got louder and louder, the pitch changed too. it made one exit and the engine stalled as we decided to take the exit. once we pulled over and tried to restart the engine it wouldn't do anything. when the key was turned it would behave how you would expect it to, but their was no crank or clicking sound.

I'm now thinking about messing around to see if I can figure out why it won't crank. I haven't tried anything since we towed it home. I'm just curious if anyone can think of places I should look first.

 

Won't crank? Or won't fire?

 

It wouldnt crank. Totally quiet when the key was turned.

 

What does the volt gauge have to say with the ignition on? Do any lites come on?

 

It was where it usually is. Right below halfway.

 

Does everything else work? Headlights? Windshield wipers? Etc?

 

All the accessories were working.

I'm sure the battery is dead now, it's been sitting for a month..

 

I was considering a transmission problem, but the engine stall doesn't make sense for it to be a tranny problem. I feel like it should start if it was the tranny..

 

Have you scanned it for codes? Checked the oil and coolant levels? Turned the engine by hand?

 

Haven't done anything. Battery would be dead now, reading codes would be useless.

How can I turn the engine by hand? That's a good idea.