Turn the key and everything shuts down

Tiny
PHILMONSTER
  • MEMBER
  • 2000 DODGE DAKOTA
Electrical problem
V8 Four Wheel Drive Automatic 130000 miles

I went to start my truck, I used the key fob to unlock the doors and when I opened the door all the lights came on. When I put the key in the ignition and turned it over it didn't fire right away. When I went to turn the engine over again everything died. Everything went dark and none of the electrical system worked. I waited about 20 minutes and tried it again, the power was back on at this time. I had done some research and found that it might have been the neutral safety switch. So this time when I went to start the truck I turned the ignition on and took the gears through all of the positions and and then back to park making sure that I was all the way into park. This time the truck started. I let it run for a minute or so and then turned it off. I went to then go start it again and the same thing happened, I got one click of the starter and then all power went out. I tested the battery and have the required 12 VDC coming from it. I have read that it may be either the security system or the neutral safety switch or the ignition system.
Monday, July 5th, 2010 AT 8:01 AM

7 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,133 POSTS
You are going to laugh when I tell you what I think it is. I think you have a loose or corroded battery terminal. Remove them, properly clean them, and then make sure they are good and tight.

Let me know if that works.

Joe
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Monday, July 5th, 2010 AT 10:17 PM
Tiny
PHILMONSTER
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
No, it wasn't the battery I found a broken ground harness that went to the bottom of the engine block.
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Tuesday, July 6th, 2010 AT 5:40 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,133 POSTS
I knew it had to be something directly dealing with the battery based on your description. I have experienced that problem so many times. One minute the battery is good, turn the key, hear a click, and everyting goes dim or dead. Usually it is at the opposite end of the cable, the battery.

Regardless, I'm glad it is fixed. Take care and let us know if you have questions in future.

Joe
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Tuesday, July 6th, 2010 AT 6:52 PM
Tiny
ED_SKAPIN
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1992 DODGE DAKOTA
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 383,000 MILES
1992 Dodge Dakota Electrical completely dead! Boost it and it starts and runs for several minutes then suddenly dies not stalls. Again no electrical at all. Not a fuel issue but sudden immediate lose of all electrical. Battery is new. When it dies it again has no electrical power so no radio, lights anything! Does this vehicle have a main fuse?
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Tuesday, May 30th, 2017 AT 10:38 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
You need to stay on your original post you getting the experts confused-start by testing the ignition switch
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Tuesday, May 30th, 2017 AT 10:38 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ED_SKAPIN
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1992 DODGE DAKOTA
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 383,000 MILES
1992 Dodge Dakota with electrical dead. Boost it runs for a minute or two then suddenly dies not stalls. Do these vehicles have a main fuse?
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Tuesday, May 30th, 2017 AT 10:38 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Start by checking the fuel pressure to rule out the fuel filter and fuel pump
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Tuesday, May 30th, 2017 AT 10:38 AM (Merged)

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