About 2 weeks ago, I was heading to work at night and I turned on my truck - 2005 Dodge Dakota V6 95,000kms, it turned on for about 2 seconds and then completely shut off. The lights on the dash were still on. Then I turned it on again and for about 2-3 seconds it turned completely off again. Then I turned it on and it started up as per usual. It's been running fine since.

Also, my gas gage has been fluctuating a lot lately. Even when driving on a straight road, it will go up or down by half a quarter of a tank - so not too sure if that would have anything to do with it or if this is a separate issue on its own.

Any help??

 

if your truck has a spare key, start using that one, my 05 v8 started doing the same thing, apperantly the key was starting to wear down from all the use and was not syncing with the computer anymore

 

If your key has a chip in it, then it may have a problem. My 05, has the keyfob on top but doesn't have a chip. I found this out by making a normal spare key at a locksmith, and it works. I prefer that because its not bulky. Nevertheless, it could be the chip in your key. I think I read that if you have the wrong chip, it will start for a second then turn off. SOmetimes it won't even turn over with a bad chip probably depending on vehicle and vehicle manufacturer.

 

My 05 (Chipped, Non-fobs) will start and run for a few seconds then shut off with a Cut Unprogrammed key. (Ive tried just to see what it would do)
I think it will start but once the immobilizer reads a wrong/no chip it kills it.

Gas might be a bad sender unit in the tank, Only thing I can think of to cause that.

Its easy to program new keys (non-fob) Ive bought some on ebay $25 for 2 Keys, Now they are cheaper keys. I bought 2 and 1 Broke in the winter when my lock was frozen, Ordered 2 more. So now I have 5 keys. I use a OEM one. Then My Work and Spare Set are Cut Keys. The other OEM and Cut are to keep unused for now. So I have a good key to cut if needed, and 2 to program if somehow I loose 3 others haha