My truck kees stalling and I dont know why

Tiny
BRANDONCONLEY
  • MEMBER
  • 2000 DODGE DAKOTA
  • 15,000 MILES
I have a 2000 dodge dakote with about 150,000 miles on it, I was sitting in my truck the other day and my check gauges light came on and it wouldnt start figured my battery died but then after I got it to turn over it stalled and now it continues to stall at a idell and sometimes wont start at all, my negative terminal is bad but it never gave me a problem and I plan on replacing it but I dont thing this would cause it to stall any ideas? It is much appreciated
Sunday, September 2nd, 2012 AT 7:54 PM

13 Replies

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,796 POSTS
Could be a vacuum leak, throttle body dirty or bad idlr control motor.

Why was the check gauge light on?

Roy
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Sunday, September 2nd, 2012 AT 7:56 PM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
A bad battery terminal can cause problems with the voltages and cause communication errors with the control modules.

Get a scan to check for trouble codes first. Do npot disconnect the battery first as it would erase any trouble codes. Let us know the EXACT trouble.

Parts stores provides free scanning services.
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Sunday, September 2nd, 2012 AT 7:57 PM
Tiny
BRANDONCONLEY
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
I have a feeling the check gages light came on because the terminal lost conection, and the check engine light isnt on so a code reader wont work either, but the engine light never came on befor this problem either. Im stumped
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Sunday, September 2nd, 2012 AT 8:00 PM
Tiny
BRANDONCONLEY
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
What vacume hose could cause this?
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Sunday, September 2nd, 2012 AT 8:04 PM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
If the MIL had indicated, codes would be stored and the code reader would tell you what had caused it even if it is not showing now.
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Sunday, September 2nd, 2012 AT 8:04 PM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Vacuum would cause stalling but not non starting. I would still believe getting the trouble codes is the first thing you need to do.
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Sunday, September 2nd, 2012 AT 8:06 PM
Tiny
BRANDONCONLEY
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Alright I will do that then let yall know
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Sunday, September 2nd, 2012 AT 8:10 PM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Btw when you said won't start, is it you are able to crank without starting or starter would not turn?
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Sunday, September 2nd, 2012 AT 8:11 PM
Tiny
BRANDONCONLEY
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Alright well I just hooked up a battery charger to my truck it turned over no problem needed alittle gas to get it going but now its idealing no problem, so im guessing it has to be electrical? Any ideas?
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Sunday, September 2nd, 2012 AT 8:23 PM
Tiny
BRANDONCONLEY
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Starter was fine it was just having a hard time like it was struggling
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Sunday, September 2nd, 2012 AT 8:28 PM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
That indicates it is nothing to do with the battery terminals. Get the code.
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Sunday, September 2nd, 2012 AT 8:31 PM
Tiny
BRANDONCONLEY
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
I did have a past code for a small vacume leak but I kinda just blew it off
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Sunday, September 2nd, 2012 AT 8:38 PM
Tiny
DJCL
  • MECHANIC
  • 767 POSTS
A vacuum leak will not do this. Start with having the battery and alternator system checked along with all connections.
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Sunday, September 2nd, 2012 AT 9:14 PM

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