2001 dodge dakota lights flicker

Check for battery short inside battery have some one check for ac voltage in battery and alternator out put,,,headlight switch would be next to check or replace

Yes the # 1issue for Dakota in this year model is the ever so troubling ctm or central timer module or body computer/controller.
All the afore mentioned names are used however the proper name is the first c.t.m. the problems you listed were addressed in a tsb
issued by chrysler in 10/2003 with two recalls addressing rerouting wiring that gets damaged by e brake rachett and another addressing damage by clucht pedal linkage causing in corrct operation wipers headlghts, alarm system doorlocks. this issue is a hard one to diagnose I have had my run ins with a few of these. Mind you not a approved method I have use is when the problem occurs and shut down and restart won't help it just continues to happen, I have shut down then I disconnect all fuse power going the ctm for 10sec or so
then reconnect power and key on and 80% of the time it will stop problem for a spell, which then leeds you to a better or closer look at ctm circuits if they check out then replace ctm . A warning the ctm has data that is flashed into memory by special scan tool and can only be flashed once so when you locate a new ctm make sure that the seller has flashed in the information or will address that for you! Because it is not possible to address without scan tool and software.
check out the form on Dakota or dodge trucks it will give insight as to what can be done.

I had a similar situation where the lights would flicker on low beams but were okay on high beams. Took the truck to the dealer - found the issue was the central timing modual had to be replace.
$600 - Yikes!!