I am really annoyed that if there are so many people with this problem...I have searched and read and to no avail (including a dealership) BUT finally I found someone with enough thinking power to figure it out. I cannot believe Dodge has not fixed this problem after all these years because mine is a 2002 and I am reading that people that have 2011 are having a problem too. This makes me think twice about purchasing a Durango once I decide I am done with this problem and have worn out the $1000 I have put into a van that isn't even worth that!
I am posting this here because I have read numerous comments from people having the same problem as I (looking for a solution.) Whether my solution fixes yours or not, I am sorry if it does not. This has been an ongoing mystery and I finally found someone who would take the time and think and not charge me an arm and a leg for figuring out...we had already spent those on failed attempts.
My symptoms were:
1. As long as the van had been turned off for awhile, it would start up no problem.
2. If it had been turned of for a few minutes, it would still start back up, BUT if it had been turned off for at least 10 or more (don't know the max), I had to go through a cycle of trying to start it back up. Sometimes it only had to go through 3 cycles and the odometer read "done," sometimes it took longer. It never left me stranded, and lots of people offered help, but I always said, "It just needs a minute."
3. It was not a fan of going in reverse. Sometimes just backing out of the driveway, it died, and then just usually started back up.
4. It did not like the A/C on, it would suck power, and we would pull up to stop signs and it would die.
5. Sometimes it just died coming to stops signs without the A/C on. The van really became worse as summer got hotter.
6. It was reading codes 1468 and 0304 (or 0403) not sure which.
I learned to drive this thing throwing it into neutral as I came to stops or even just slowing down.
So I may have had two issues going on here, and it was really starting to be a pain. One guy told us it was a PCM. We got a used one, it didn't change the symptoms. We got a new battery, we got a new starter, they always said nothing was wrong with the fuel system, and we had guys telling us it was probably the crappy wiring back there because one time it started with the guy fiddiling with the wires.
Anyway. They pulled a crankshaft sensor code, and thought they had it. It quit reading that code, but did not change the problem. The mechanic thought on it, it was not pulling any codes, and they went ahead and changed out the camshaft sensor, and lo and behold, it was fixed. I have been driving it for almost a week without any problems. I actually took it out on a two-hour mountain road/canyon drive and no problems. I even ran the A/C most of the time.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
I am really annoyed that if there are so many people with this problem...I have searched and read and to no avail (including a dealership) BUT finally I found someone with enough thinking power to figure it out. I cannot believe Dodge has not fixed this problem after all these years because mine is a 2002 and I am reading that people that have 2011 are having a problem too. This makes me think twice about purchasing a Durango once I decide I am done with this problem and have worn out the $1000 I have put into a van that isn't even worth that!
I am posting this here because I have read numerous comments from people having the same problem as I (looking for a solution.) Whether my solution fixes yours or not, I am sorry if it does not. This has been an ongoing mystery and I finally found someone who would take the time and think and not charge me an arm and a leg for figuring out...we had already spent those on failed attempts.
My symptoms were:
1. As long as the van had been turned off for awhile, it would start up no problem.
2. If it had been turned of for a few minutes, it would still start back up, BUT if it had been turned off for at least 10 or more (don't know the max), I had to go through a cycle of trying to start it back up. Sometimes it only had to go through 3 cycles and the odometer read "done," sometimes it took longer. It never left me stranded, and lots of people offered help, but I always said, "It just needs a minute."
3. It was not a fan of going in reverse. Sometimes just backing out of the driveway, it died, and then just usually started back up.
4. It did not like the A/C on, it would suck power, and we would pull up to stop signs and it would die.
5. Sometimes it just died coming to stops signs without the A/C on. The van really became worse as summer got hotter.
6. It was reading codes 1468 and 0304 (or 0403) not sure which.
I learned to drive this thing throwing it into neutral as I came to stops or even just slowing down.
So I may have had two issues going on here, and it was really starting to be a pain. One guy told us it was a PCM. We got a used one, it didn't change the symptoms. We got a new battery, we got a new starter, they always said nothing was wrong with the fuel system, and we had guys telling us it was probably the crappy wiring back there because one time it started with the guy fiddiling with the wires.
Anyway. They pulled a crankshaft sensor code, and thought they had it. It quit reading that code, but did not change the problem. The mechanic thought on it, it was not pulling any codes, and they went ahead and changed out the camshaft sensor, and lo and behold, it was fixed. I have been driving it for almost a week without any problems. I actually took it out on a two-hour mountain road/canyon drive and no problems. I even ran the A/C most of the time.
I REALLY hope this helps someone!
- lululovesu, Price, UT, US