1999 Dodge Durango Ignition Coil

Tiny
BUSHMAN44
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 DODGE DURANGO
  • 5.2L
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 175,000 MILES
For the last two days my engine has been very hard to start and when it does start it will run rough then smooth
out and then start running rough again. I an suspecting ether a fuel problem or the ignition coil. I just replaced the spark plugs and distributor cap and rotor about two weeks ago. Everything had been running fine until about two days ago and just out of the blue I get this problem. So because of the all-of-a-sudden problem I think the coil is at fault. So if you could please tell me how to test the coil I would really appreciate it.

Thanks For Your Time
Thursday, September 18th, 2014 AT 1:38 PM

11 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,179 POSTS
Has the check engine light come on or flashed? Have you checked for trouble codes? Have you checked to see if there could be a vacuum hose off from when you did the tune up? Have you checked fuel pump pressure?
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Thursday, September 18th, 2014 AT 6:13 PM
Tiny
BUSHMAN44
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  • 6 POSTS
The check engine light has not flashed and trouble codes. I did recently
remove the throttle body and clean it and I was very careful about putting it all back together so I am sure there are no vacuum hoses off. How ever I have not checked the fuel pump pressure and will do so first thing in the morning. I went ahead and checked the resistance on the coil and this is what I found: across the primary is.15 ohms and primary to secondary is 12.2K. I would appreciate it if you could tell me if those readings are good or
bad.
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Thursday, September 18th, 2014 AT 7:08 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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The readings are fine. Do you know how to check for codes without a scanner?
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+1
Friday, September 19th, 2014 AT 5:03 PM
Tiny
BUSHMAN44
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
I have never have had to check for trouble codes before so no I don't know how to do that. And thank you for the response concerning the coil. I will go ahead and reinstall it.
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Friday, September 19th, 2014 AT 6:43 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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To check for codes is really easy on a dodge. Cycle the key from off to on 3 time never starting the engine. The third time, keep the key in the run position and the codes will appear in the odometer location.

Let me know what you find.
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Saturday, September 20th, 2014 AT 6:28 PM
Tiny
BUSHMAN44
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  • 6 POSTS
Sorry its been so long getting a reply to you. I had to go up to Oregon for a few days. I followed your instructions and nothing happened so I will assume that means that there are no fault codes to read. I was thinking maybe the fuel filter or maybe the fuel pump. After I got home I started the car up and it started right off and ran fine but a few minutes after it got up to operating temperature it suddenly started to run rough and then died.
Thank You Very Much For Your Time
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Wednesday, September 24th, 2014 AT 6:31 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Since there are no codes, I would recommend that you check for spark and fuel to the engine when it won't restart. Once we determine which is missing, I can guide you as to what needs checked next.
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Wednesday, September 24th, 2014 AT 7:58 PM
Tiny
BUSHMAN44
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OK, I checked the spark at the spark plugs and I have good spark at all 8 and since I had them out to make sure that the plugs were in fact sparking I went ahead and replaced them. As for the fuel, the pressure get erratic after about 4 to 5 minutes then it starts to run rough and then die. A neighbor told me that his cars control module ( computer ) made his car act like what mine has been doing, however his is a Ford Focus so I don't know if that would apply in this case. At this point I believe that the problem is in the fuel system. So if you could tell me where I should start the trouble shooting process in the fuel system I will appreciate it very much.
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Thursday, October 2nd, 2014 AT 11:40 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Can you explain what the fuel pressure does? Is the pressure changing after a few minutes?

Have you ever smelled gas? Has the fuel filter been replaced? These are simple problems. If they are okay, then I would suspect either a bad connection to the pump or the pump itself.
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Thursday, October 2nd, 2014 AT 5:59 PM
Tiny
BUSHMAN44
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Again, sorry for taking so long to get back to you, I really appreciate your patients.
I never smelled gas or ever saw any leaks. I couldn't find the fuel filter so I checked all the connections and tried again but no luck. So I replaced the entire fuel pump assembly in the tank and it started right up and ran fine.
I let it run for about an hour then shut it off and got cleaned up. About half an hour later I tried to start it to go for a test drive. The engine cranked for about 5 seconds and abruptly stopped. I tried again and the engine acted like it had locked up. My neighbor said his wife's Caravan had done the same thing and it turned out the be the starter. So I pulled the starter and tested it and it worked fine. So I put it back on the car and the engine spun around and stopped again. I'm thinking its some sort of mechanical failure but I can't think of what that would be.
Thank you for helping me with the fuel problem. I am certain that problem is solved. This new thing with the engine stopping I'm sure is something unrelated. The car has almost 180,000 miles on it so it is reasonable to expect things to start breaking.
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Sunday, October 12th, 2014 AT 4:29 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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That is odd that it sounds like it locks up. When it happens, take a socket and ratchet and see if you can turn the engine by hand. If you can't, remove all the spark plugs and then try. Pay attention if anything comes out of the spark plug holes when you crank it. You will need a helper.
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Sunday, October 12th, 2014 AT 7:21 PM

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