'97 Dakota 3.9L problematic stalling issue

[slade25]

Experiencing bad stalling instances and idling issues in Drive. When the truck is cold, the stalling is worse. Usually have to put it into Neutral at stops or in slow moving traffic.

Only diagnostic code I have is a PO783 (3/4 shift trans malfunction). This has been around for a long while. I did have the trans filter changed and fluid flushed approx 18 mths ago. 783 returned about a month later. Not sure if this is related to stalling problem, but a torque converter lock up issue could be. Hard to say if i have a tranny problem. Anyone ?

I have replaced wires, plugs, ignition coil, temp sensor and cleaned the IAC and throttle body. Dealership tells me I do not have an EGR valve, so nothing to investigate there.

During initial morning starts the truck sometimes sounds like there could a vacuum like issue, but am unable to locate any bad hoses, air leaks, etc. I suspected at one a plugged up catalytic converter but don't think I have that problem.

Another symptom is when the truck is fully warmed up, it works pretty good. I have almost no stalling problems and I seem to have most of the power (get up and go). Much different story when the engine is cold.

Can anyone help me eliminate potential problem areas or point me to where i should be concentrating.

[theFREAKnasty82]

the IAC motor is notorious for failing on these trucks; cleaning it sometimes helps and sometimes it doesn't. I'd throw a new one and see what happens. On a side note, kinda surprising that you don't have an EGR, I've never seen a 3.9 V6 w/o an EGR. Best way to tell is look on the side of the RH exhaust manifold, if you see a tube bolted to manifold, going to the back of the engine, then you have EGR.

[zzGUY46]

I had this happen twice....both times it was a bad battery....good luck