i have a 2000 dakota 3.9 liter magnum 4x4. The truck starts up first turn but will all of a sudden just stop, no warning, there is no pattern to it, it could go for a few weeks or a few hours then all of a sudden shut off. I replaced the coil because when it does this it isnt getting spark, it started right up then same thing, just shut down and no spark again. went out this morning and it started right up again ran for a while then shut off again. The fuel pump is coming on. It just isnt getting spark when it shuts off. Any one have any ideas? Thanks in advance for your help.

 

i would check the wires on the crank sensor to make sure there not shorted out. it possible one is melted with slight conection.

 

ill check that some one also suggested the control module in the distributor, any ideas on that?

 

Have you ever replaced the cap and rotor? If you haven't the distributur cap goes for around $8.99 give or take a fewat autozone. and the rotor which is inside the cap goes for somewhere around $4.99

Really cheap and not a waiste of money.

 

i was gonna replace those and the plugs tomorrow.

 

Do you have a security system (such as the one from the factory) in your truck?

 

all i have is the keyless entry, as for other changes to the truck, it has a plow,which is not on right now because of good weather but the wiring is all there, and an aftermarket cd player. everything else is stock

 

Pull the codes (use the procedure listed here, and than the codes listed here), and tell us what comes up.

It might be your crankshaft position sensor.

 

the check engine light didnt flash but i got this from the odometer P0320 Ignition/Distributor Engine Speed Input Circuit Malfunction

 

Yes, the PCM is not recieving either a crankshaft or camshaft position sensor signal.
The following coming from the 2001 service manual, your truck should be very much similar.
Both sensors should be recieving 5 volts on the orange wire. The PCM provides a ground of these sensors on the black/light blue wire.
The crank sensor sends a signal back to the PCM on the gray/black wire, which appears to go to the PCM connector closest to the firewall (pin 8 of that connector). The cam sensor sends a signal back to the PCM on the tan/yellow wire, which also appears to go to the same PCM connector (pin 18 of that connector).
The 5 volt supply is sent via pin 17 of that same PCM connector, and the ground is provided via pin 4 of that same PCM connector.

The voltage reading from the crank sensor, I believe,should vary from very little voltage to close to 5 volts when the engine is turned over. The same may be true of the cam sensor.