My 99 malibu starts and dies right away. It won't stay on unless I keep the gas pedal down and rpm above 1500

Have you checked the fuel pump for any blockage? The car isnt getting any gas unless u manually pump it by pressing the pedal.. So start there
Sometimes when a engine requires excessive revving and throttle to stay afloat its a fuel supply problem. A clogged filter for example can be overcome with excessive throttle that drives the fuel pressure up enough to force it through, but it will barely trickle at idle and stall.

Usually the dead give away for fuel pump is when someone complains they have to floor it as soon as it turns over or it will die right away.

dodge dakota idling and dying - CarGurus

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CarGurusApr 12, 2011 - dodge dakota idling and dying - My dakota will start then idle down and die. ... I have a 1992 dodge dakota that dies on me at stop signs and when I take my foot off the gas pedal. ... Had the same problem with my 98 Dakota.

Dodge Ram 1500 Questions - 1998 1500 5.2 Shuts Off ...

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CarGurusAug 29, 2011 - 1998 1500 5.2 Shuts Off Randomly - does anyone have an answer to the mysterious shutting ... 1998 1500 5.2 that shuts off randomly and if i wait a few seconds to minutes it will start again. ... does it do it when coming to a stop or when taking off from a stop or shifting from drive to .... Used Dodge Dakota".

Truck Shuts Off - 1998 Dodge Dakota - RepairPal

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I have a 91 dodge dakota truck with a 318 motor, 249,000 miles, it will start up thenshut right off when I take my foot off the gas pedal, I had a tune up a month ...

2000 Dodge Dakota idle then dying problem FIXED - YouTube

? 4:05
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It would rev up then back down to about 200 rpm then just shut off. ... My Dakota dies during idling right after i start it up and then it wont start back up again. .... 1998 Dodge Durango No Start or No Bus or Randomly Stalls ...

Need help: Truck starts but wont stay running?? - FullSizeChevy.com

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Jun 19, 2005 - 17 posts - ‎9 authors The truck will start but then die right out. I can do this all day long with the same effect. I can however keep it running by feathering the throttle. if ...

Truck starts but won't stay running...?? - Dodge Dakota Forum

Clean the throttle body. Check the throttle air bypass valve solenoid.
Have you tried checking applicable trouble codes, if there are any?

ok i have a 1998 durango with the 5.2L 318 engine. had trouble with a bad cell in my battery. I went out bought an optima red top battery for it 800cca. put it in and had same trouble. No start without putting foot on gas. wouldn't stay running without holding foot on gas. CPU has to relearn it's programming once you unplug it for long periods of time. mine was without power for about 2-3 weeks till i got new battery. Start with this.. first check under air filter make sure a squirrel hasn't made a mess under your air filter and it's clogging the air intake. Then pull off the lid to your injector cover ( the screw down lid coming from the air box ( with air filter in it) to "carb") make sure all your cables move freely. put that all back together and close hood. Start truck with foot slightly on gas pedal to get started. keep it at about 1k to 1500 rpm for about 1-2 minutes. Rev motor to about 2500rpm and let it die out if it will. Get out lock doors with key fob if you have it. if not make sure to lock doors. ( trust me it worked for me) let sit for 5 minutes. come back out and unlock door and relock door 3 times with fob ( if you have it ) or key if you don't have a fob. Then unlock it with the key and enter vehicle. Start truck as before and keep it around 1k to 1500 rpm again for about 30 seconds rev it up and should keep running. Mine did. I think the iac was stuck from sitting and has now since loosened up.
Good luck hope ti works for you.

Did you ever figure out what was wrong with your car? This exact thing happened to my car today.

check the coil pack what motor is in your car

MAYBE CATALYTIC CONVERTER STOPPED UP.

ok does it shake badly, the engine that is? you may have alot going on. is the check engine light on steady or flashing? and 4 cylinder or 6 please

Check your mass airflow meter. If it's bad, at least on my 1990 300ZX, the car won't rev over 2400RPM (it's a safeguard built into the ECU of the car). Grab one from a scrapyard and swap it in and see if that fixes the issue.