I am stumped here guys. It's not my truck but here are the issues, please give me some ideas.
2000 dakota quad cab
4x4
360cid motor
4 speed automatic trans
Tilt steering

The truck started and ran perfect todaay when started for the first time. Gauge pod shows nothing while driving, only the security light. When first turning the key all but the speedo and tach 'blip' a little but that is all the movement. We stopped after about 10 minutes of idling and 5 miles of driving (stop and go in town). After a quick lunch we drove again around 45 minutes mixed interstate and town driving. When we arrived my wife shut the truck down as I flagged her to keep it running. She gave it a few second and tried to restart, it will fire every single time and run for about 1-2 seconds then it will die. I plan to try again tomorrow when it is dead cold, but need some help.

What I have checked-
-all fuses (with the exception of the 'circuit breakers') they are also the only ones that are not labeled on the fuse box cover.
-wiggled all the ECM connections with no sign of change
-door 'beeper' is not consistant with the key in the ignition in different positions
-removed column covers and the harness to the ignition switch is not damaged.

Recent work that I know of-
fuel rails and some associated parts (they charged the lady like $1400) there was a squirrel that made a nest and chewed though something back there, I could see no damage.

Thanks in advance!

 

check your ground wires from battery, cab to frame, engine to frame. Maybe something is getting heated up because of a bad ground and killing the electrical circuits.

Gary

 

If the security light is on, probably something wrong with the Sentry key. I think they had those in 2000. May just be a programing issue with the key or security center.

If not that, the security module thinks something is wrong. Might have to find a way to bypass that system.

 

I was trying to track down the security system, but could not find anything about it killing the gague pod, also why in the world would it run sometimes? I have checked all of the grounds that I could find but will go further in depth.
Any other ideas are greatly appreciated!

 

My Cummins did that once when we were at the deer lease. Would start just fine but shut off after a little bit. I was really worried, fairly new truck out in the middle of no where on a Sunday with all the dealers closed. Turns out I had the key in my pocket with a bunch of other stuff and had been holding one of the buttons down. That ran the battery down in the key. After a while it came back and started right up and kept running.

I would change the battery in the key, see if that helps.

 

Good point DWM.... I usually try the KISS principle when trying to solve problems and your solution is waayyy more KISS suitable.

Gary

 

It's a pretty simple key, I am pretty sure it does not have a battery. Just the plain dodge black triangle shape.