91 Dodge Dakota dies instantly after being started

JMERIDETH346

MEMBER
1991 DODGE DAKOTA
6 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
212,000 MILES

I dont know much about cars but I figured id try to get another opinion. I recently had problems with my truck just dying and not restarting at all. I bought a new battery (the old one was about 10 years old) and for a day everything was well, then today the radio would stop working then the windshield wipers stopped and then the lights went then all the lights on the dash lit up and the truck died. I have no idea if its a wire or some part that is causing this to happen. If anyone could help me out id greatly appreciate it.

Thursday, November 12th, 2015 AT 7:23 AM

5 Replies

DOCHAGERTY

MECHANIC
9,603 POSTS

Could have something to do with the charging system. Check battery voltage at idle. Should be 13 volts

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Thursday, November 12th, 2015 AT 8:12 AM

JMERIDETH346

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3 POSTS

On a brand new battery tho? And what do you mean by charging system?
A friend said it might be the alternator, every time I try to hone in on where the problem is it seems to be something else.

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Thursday, November 12th, 2015 AT 9:15 AM

DOCHAGERTY

MECHANIC
9,603 POSTS

The alternator is what is at the heart of the charging system
If it stops doing its job, the battery cannot charge and it goes dead

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Thursday, November 12th, 2015 AT 9:18 AM

JMERIDETH346

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3 POSTS

So should I start there and work from there to the battery? Im def gonna check the alternator then because from what ive experienced that seems to match perfectly to the problems.

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Thursday, November 12th, 2015 AT 9:27 AM

DOCHAGERTY