Recently acquired a 2005 dodge ram Dakota extended cab. Truck developed a skip and had 1 plug coil replaced. Now no start. No obd2 communication. All warning lights come on and do not go out, Also all gear selector letters have circles around them and not just 1 when in that particular gear. I do not hear the fuel pump cycling. Radio doesn't work. No relays clicking or anything. Checked all grounds and they are good. New battery. Im at a loss. I'm thinking the ECU is fried but would like to make 100% sure before ordering a new one. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
2005 Dodge Dakota extended cab
3.7L V6
Automatic,2WD.
A/C
Manual windows and Locks
Cruise Control
NO CHIPED KEY

 

New battery that you personally bought? Or "new" battery that came with the truck before you acquired it?

If the battery is even remotely on the weak/worn out side, these trucks will develop strange, unexplainable electrical gremlins.

Before going the expensive route, I would try disconnecting the battery ground overnight to reset the system, and try it again in the morning.

If it's still acting strange, it may not hurt to try a new battery from the store before spending all the additional money on a new ECU, just in case. (If it turns out to be only the battery that's causing the issue, then an expensive ECU would be a waste.) It could very well have also been that when replacing the coil, if the battery negative wasn't disconnected during the replacement, the system may have went into some sort of "shut down" mode when it sensed the disconnection of a coil. But that's just speculation.

The fact that even the radio isn't working leads me to believe it's a battery/charging system issue.

 

try jiggling the gear selector lever while starting, or even try neutral. you may have a bum ignition or even a bum key, if you have a spare try that one.

 

It has a brand new battery. That was my 1st assumption.The old one tested bad so a new one went in. I'm now in the process of verifying a 5 volt reference. The key tumbler is broke and will allow the key to be removed in any position. Also you can shift the gear selector to any gear with no key in and no foot on brake.

 

Yea it sounds like the contacts in ignition are an issue . Or the module .

 

No 5v reference. New ignition switch and no change. I have discovered however that the harness that runs from ECU over the top of bell housing behind engine over to distribution/fuse box has lots of deteriorating on the plastic loom covering and there are visible wires. Also a lot of leaves/acorns and crap behind engine and on top of transmission.. Possible chewed wires!!?? I removed the intake and now im inspecting all those wires and also the ones that run down to trans and back.

 

absolutely possible chewed wires, since there’s evidence of rodents. Keep posted

 

Ok. New ECU and FCM. Now I have ECU communication with 5volt reference and can pull codes. I have a P0335,P0052,U1411. Going to throw an 02 sensor and crank sensor as well as 6 new plugs at it tomorrow, It does start and run now but it has a prolonged start and idles rough. When you give it a little gas it falls on its face when in park. Gas smells bad as well. Truck has ben sitting for god knows how long before I acquired it. Still progress from where I started.

 

Over time, old gas decreases its octane rating. It sounds like the quality of the gas is questionable.

 

Yea throw some seafoam in the tank an always use oem sensors .These trucks hate aftermarket sensors.
If it's got a whole lot of bad fuel I'd pump it out of tank an add fresh .