Not starting my 97 dakota always started easy, and ran good (occasional idle problems). Went to school and work yesterday, started right up ( as usual) each time. Next morning went out to go to work and nothing happen. It just cranked over and over. Didn't even sound like it wanted to start. friend spray some starting fluid in it and still nothing.( didn't even ignite the spray) could it be a computer problem?

triple posted now. and still anon.
back up and read all answers and answer the questions asked.

Sounds like you have a parasitic draw. Have a friend measure voltage at your battery and pull your fuses one at a time. When the voltage spikes you found the circuit that is shorted. If you still dont find it connect an amp clamp to your alternator output wire with the vehicle off, if current is flowing you have a faulty rectifier bridge in your alternator and you need a new 1.

engine check light should be on
check theses things
engine timing
idle control valve
TPS
crank angle sensor

I'd still check the thermostat. Or basically just replace it. Have you ever drained all the antifreeze and flushed the system? Good time to do both. If the hose's get real hot that doesn't really mean the thermostat open. Wouldn't they get hot even if the thermostat didnt open.? If the thermostat was stuck open you'd would have cold air and low temp gauge. Then maybe hit a pump or something and have the thermostat stick closed and have high temp. Maybe water pump. Check it when you have the belt off. Spin, pull & push the water pump pulley around. I'd replaced my water pump at about 110,000 on a '97 dodge Dakota. My 97 never had a very good heater. Always heated up more after driving. Idle never got it warmed up.

We had a problem like this in our 97 Camaro with the V6. It would run fine until my wife went somewhere with it, parked it and then wouldn't restart. When it would sit for about an hour then it would start again. It turned out to be the crank position sensor, when the electronic part of it got hot enough it couldn't sense correctly and tell the computer how to time the spark. All it would do is crank without firing. So once we had that sensor replaced it ran good again. Good luck I hope this helps! I'm on to the next problem it's having, an occasional battery drain and a radio and electric windows that die when they want to and come back later. BuzzieTN

An oxygen sensor can cause this as it leans the mixture too much.

Do a complete tune up.

check the fuel pump relay! It sounds like it is one of your relays. If it was an electrical or sensor problem, the check engine light would be on.

Did you check the fuel pressure and the fuel rail?

do a compresion check on the cynders .sound like your bruning oil . rings could be worn out . and look at all the plugs to help locate whiche cynder is bad or having the problem. mite have the fule injectors checked also.