The check engine light comes on, and goes out, at strange times. Whenever it comes on, my husband checks the fluids, and they are all as should be. Sometimes this light stays on for days, weeks, months; and then goes out with nothing being changed. This is a huge nuisance as you are always checking fluids, and not sure if it is even safe to be driving this vehicle.
I had a issue with eng oil PSIG gauge at times dropping off to 0. zero, than out of the blue start working again.
At first it was thought the oil sending unit was going bad! NOT! I did lose the engine. The 400 dollar was a quote for if I could have caught it in time to fix it.
I was told by a Mec that the oil pump stem was to long, leaving the strainer to close to the bottom of the oil pan causing it to pick trash in the strainer.
Eventually causing the strainer to stop up, losing oil PSIG. I was told that Dodge knew this problem in the 1999 models, but did nothing about it. I replaced a the Engine with a used 1998 2 x 4 engine swapping out my 4x4 oil pan, using it keeping the strainer higher off the bottom of the pan. Passing on information.
If had I know the correct action: would have been to pull the oil pan clean the strainer, leave as is or have the Mec to shorten the stem to raise it a little higher off the bottom of the pan.
The oil pressure issue has been a long ongoing thing..I thought it was the oil pressure unit at first so I added an additional gauge....dropped pressure as well...did some research and saw where someone added a oil filter relocation kit and saved his engine...I've been lucky and haven't lost the engine...yet.I just use the truck to move my boats and box trailers around in the yard..so it doesn't run much......I plan on adding the kit and an additional cooler...guy stated it was because the filter was too close to the exhaust....caused the oil to coke and sludge up....I'd love some feed back on this theory ....stealth9395@yahoo.com
Hopefully it works and I can save a few engines....Mike
I have a 1999 Dodge Durango 4X4 3/09 I had to replace all the seals in the front differential and I had to replace the rear main seal as well costing $1100. The mechanic told me that my engine had a a lot of sludge that is what was affecting the oil pressure he also told me that I should change out the oil pump while they had it all taken apart. The truck ran great right up to 4/13 when the oil pressure went down to 0 again I had to have the unit towed the mechanic told me that is was a sludge problem again. There fix was to take the oil pan off again and run kerosene thru the motor to break up the sludge but no guarantees costing another $500 my other choice it to take the whole motor apart and have it cleaned costing around $2000 to $3000 I WOULD NEVER BUY ANOTHER DODGE!!!!!!!!
I have had the same experience with my oil pressure dropping in my Durango as many others have. My mechanic said it is probably sludge that is causing the problem and be prepared to sell it before the engine dies. He filled it up with oil and said to come back in 1,500 miles and then he can determine what the problem is.
- plnsmn44,
Omaha, NE, US
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Well along with my control arm, bushing, and alignment problem, we also have the oil pressure gauge light that comes on when we slow down to stop. Most of the time it is when the oil is low. But, lately the check engine light will do it when we come to a stop at a higher rate of speed. Not sure what the fix is yet. I figured oil pump or sending unit. Now that i have researched it here I can add it with my $200 grand of suspension work i need to do now. Thanks Dodge for standing by your commitment to excellence. That is why I am a Chevy person. Unfortunately we couldn't afford the Chevy at the time and paid the price.
My car would not start one morning out of the blue. I had it towed to the shop. The mechanic did not know at first as to why the truck would not start. Then he said oh it’s got to be the timing chain, no the crank shaft snapped. To make along story short I had it fixed spent $1500 getting it fixed. The day I got the truck back this light comes on. I’m really upset now!!!! I take it back he says he will look into it. He flushes the engine blows it out, gives it back says see how it runs now. I took it onto the high way where it again shut down would not start, and when it finally started the oil pressure light came back on. I am about 25-30 miles away from his shop. I drive it to him per his request by the time I get there the engine is ticking. He says you need a new oil pump and filter. I say well fix it. He then changed the oil pump and filter and I pick up my truck. It did not fix the problem at all!!!! Now when driving and coming to a stop I can here a tick right before the oil pressure light comes on and the oil drops pressure gauge goes to zero. Then as I accelerate I can hear a tick as the oil pressure light goes off and the pressure gauge goes back up. Can someone, anyone, tell me what the hell is going on. If I should be taking this guy to Court or what.
Just wanted to update on my oil drop problem. The dealer we bought it from check it could find nothing either. I myself called the auto maintenance company I bought they also said if it was due to oil screen clogged not covered due to maintenance of engine.
I also found this on line that said the auto Maintenance company that are purchased are saying the same as the engine builders on not covering because of lack of proper oil changes. Being someone that buys a used vehicle I would be unable to prove it was.
So as always BIG MANUFACTURER WINS little guys LOSE>
We bought a used 1999 Dodge Durango (83,547miles) on 8-28-06, I also bought a service agreement at that time ($1079.00) 2yr or 24,000 miles). Dealer did oil change and transmission service before delivery no charge. We like the vehicle. No problems with it until last Friday (3-30-07) we drove are dodge to my daughters about 85 miles away. When started back we had the oil pressure drop and warning bell no lifter noise. We had just change oil two weeks before. Pulled over and checked oil level right on full line. Restarted oil pressure ok started out but as soon i got up to about 2000rpm it happened again. Stop restarted again this time ok, I slowly increased speed until I reached 1500rpm and 55mph. I watched the gauges for the next 80 miles and when stopping. We made it home and Monday went to dealer. I searched internet over the weekend on this oil drop and was surprised to find this many complaints. As told by others, dealer could not find or get engine to do it. Said that if it was blocked screen or oil pump it wouldn't be covered as it may be due to lack of maintenance. Also doubted if my maintenance agreement would cover either. We now have 87,704 miles and have changed oil and filter twice myself. I may be lucky as the dealer I bought from is now looking into fixing the problem I HAVE MY FINGERS CROSSED for no cost.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
The check engine light comes on, and goes out, at strange times. Whenever it comes on, my husband checks the fluids, and they are all as should be. Sometimes this light stays on for days, weeks, months; and then goes out with nothing being changed. This is a huge nuisance as you are always checking fluids, and not sure if it is even safe to be driving this vehicle.
- deborahheim, Darlington, WI, US