97 Dakota stalls / dies after starting

External Since: Sep 29, 2005 Posts: 1

I have a 97 Dakota 4x4, club cab, V6, Auto. About 75% of the time, when
I turn the key, it starts, and then dies. There doesn't seem to be any
rhyme or reason why. Cold or warm...sitting for a while or starting
again immediately...it still does the same thing. This is how I have to
start it when I have this problem:

I turn the key and give it a little gas. I then back the RPMs down to
around 600 and hold it there for a couple seconds. Then I ease off the
gas slowly, and it will usually hold and run fine. If I start it and do
anything else, it dies.

For example, yesterday morning it started fine. I drove my 5 minutes to
work, parked it and turned it off. I then tried to start it again, and
the above problem occurred. Other times I start it in the morning or
afternoon and have the problem immediately.

It gives off no trouble codes and has good fuel pressure (50) when it's
running. Battery seems strong (it starts quick every time), and I've
disconnected/reconnected it as well to reset the computer.

If anyone has any suggestions they think might help, I'd really love to
hear them, here or on email. Thanks, Tracy

Joined: Jul 22, 2005 Posts: 136

is there a vacuum leak, or a leak in the fuel line? once it starts does it run fine? possible dirty injectors, colged fuel filter, bad plugs or wires, timing, distrubtor/roter. but I would start with the cheap stuff before going onto timing and fuel pump (thoe it sounds ok).