97 Dakota V6 intermittent problem now permanent

[Keenan97]

Hope I am posting in the correct place. Sorry if not (I'm new here).

I've had this truck (97 Dakota V6 5.2 2WD) sense new and having a problem that comes and goes. It has grown more frequent than not with 130+K now on the truck. And now seems as if I need to find the problem
if I plan to continue driving it.

It started out where it would sometimes quit at idle. You would have to press the accelerator and brake at traffic lights to keep it running. It may be just a coincident, however it seemed to mainly happen when the outside air temperature and dew point were near and after it rained.

I took it to the dealer many times while it was under warranty and they could never replicate the problem or find anything wrong.

Over time it got to the point where it would just not start at all. The next day it would start right up. Or after a bit of cranking it would start and run rough for a bit at idle until it reached normal temp. When I say rough I mean every 3 seconds or so you can feel and hear what seems to be a cylinder
not firing or as if the engine quit running all together for a split second.

Usually after a rough start it would sputter with a power loss during acceleration, as if it is missing or quitting. The sputtering with power loss during acceleration also occurs even if the engine is at normal temp and happens randomly.

Last month I had to have it towed. It died while traveling down the interstate at 65mph as if I ran out of gas (had 1/4 tank left). From researching forums I decided to replace the fuel pump and filter. After that it started right up and ran fine until last week. Now It just wont start.

While cranking you can hear it "trying" to run. Almost like every other cylinder is firing. While cranking, it sounds kind of like and old car that would "diesel" (keep running a bit) after you shut the ignition off. Or while I'm cranking you hear nothing but the starter and then as soon as I stop
cranking the engine will make that dieseling sound making me wish I kept cranking as it seemed it almost started.

Anyone have any ideas?

[BleedDodge]

I think it's an ignition problem. Play around with your coil wires and see if it does anything.

I know on my V6 truck, if I have the motor running and the hood up, I can shut it off simply by moving the bottom coil wires the right way. I don't know why they're so sensitive.

[bad360rt]

Check the wiring harness at the pcm, on the Gen II's they're notorious for getting corroded.

[davida6302]

Keenan97 I have had the same problem, I too have a 5.2 it's a V8 not V6. Anyways... I had to spray carb cleaner directly into the butterfly area while accelerating the engine. Seems asthough the carbon build-up around the opening of the butterflies get closed and restrict the air/fuel mixture. This was suggested sometime ago by this forum from someone much smarter than the techs that work on them at the dealer, try this, if it doesn't work then the (idle speed motor ?) on the side of the carb is at fault, remove, clean or replace is in order, hope this helped...Dave also look further down at a post 99 dakota stalling thet same is posted there...