2000 Dodge Durango died, won't start

Tiny
HAWKS33
  • MEMBER
  • 2000 DODGE DURANGO
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 115,000 MILES
My 2000 durango 5.9 died. Working great basically since new. Then after a 3 hour trip (1hr in HEAVY stop and go with the AC on) I turned it off for 5-7 min. (With AC on). Restarted it and it ran for about 15 seconds and then died. Turned all the accessories, AC etc. Off and tried to start again. This time it half-heartedly chugged and died. After that, nothing but cranking. Even tried holding the foot to the floor (like on our old Concorde). Nothing. Let cool for 2 hours and still nothing. My old '90 Pontiac Grand Prix had the same symptoms and it was the ignition module. Could that me it? Help please. Oh, when I put the foot to the floor I did smell gas when I opened the hood. I have heard the possibility of a bad crank sensor causing this also. How do I get the codes to show up in the odometer? That may help me also. Thaks andy 773-680-6262
Sunday, September 13th, 2009 AT 9:21 PM

4 Replies

Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Do you have a check engine light and when was the last tune-up?

Do below to determine if its fuel or spark problem

Disconnect a sparkplug wire or 2 and ground it to the engine -have helper crank engine over-do you have a snapping blue spark? If so-you have a fuel related problem, check the fuel pressure to rule out the fuel filter/fuel pump/pressure regulator and listen to the injector/s are they pulsing or hook up a noid light. No snapping blue spark continue to troubleshoot the ignition system-power input to the coil/coil packs, coil's resistances, distributor pick-up coil, ignition control module, cam and crank sensors and computer Note: If it doesn't apply disregard it
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Monday, December 31st, 2018 AT 1:30 PM
Tiny
HAWKS33
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
What would be the safest way to ground the spark plug wire to the engine to test for spark? Thanks
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Monday, December 31st, 2018 AT 1:30 PM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
If you wish you can get an ST-125 it looks like a sparkplug and has a clip to it.

You can ground it to the valve covers or anyplace you want
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Monday, December 31st, 2018 AT 1:30 PM
Tiny
HAWKS33
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Tested for spark on my 2000 durango that died and will not turn over/start, just cranks. NO spark. What would be the next order of testing (from easiest to hardest)? I also ran the check - holding down the tripmeter button while turning the key to the start position for 5 seconds. The message came up "chec". Can't find the meaning of this. Hope this tells you something helpful. Thanks for the help. Andy
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Monday, December 31st, 2018 AT 1:30 PM

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