first i would like to introduce myself.. My name is Christine, Im 21 and from NJ... iv had a 1999 Durango for the past 3 years. Everything has been ok until 2-3 weeks ago. So im driving home and i notice that my battery gauge starts to go down, down, down and then my check gauges light comes on and then dead, nothing... so i jump it and get it home... hook it up to the battery charger and try the next day... goes for a few miles and then, same thing happens.... so i automatically think its the altenator... so i go and spend $140 to have the altenator rebuilt, put it in and to my suprise, nothing has changed... but now this time, i go to jump start it and when i go to disconnect the cables and it dies immediately, so i put them back on start it again and let it sit for about 5 mins, still same thing, dies immediately..... i know the altenator is good, had it re-checked... so now im stuck because im already out $140 and have no clue what it could be..... also, i just recently started learning about vehicles and maintenance and such, so im kinda clueless about a lot of things.... does anyone have any idea what might be wrong?

P.S - I also know the battery is good as well

 

First off, Weclome to the forums!

Does the Check engine light come on at all? Or any other lights? If so you can check codes which might help with the problem.
For future reference also, I believe You can have alt's checked before being rebuilt. I would have someplace else retest it though. Sounds like what mine did when it died out.

 

I do have a check engine light on, and my abs light, and the brake lightis also on... i believe i had one of the codes read that says i have a bad O2 sensor... but thats all i know about....

 

did you notice if the odomoter reads "no bus" by any chance when this happens and if any of your gauges drop?

 

Hi Christine:

Not to be a smarty pants, but how do you now the battery is ok?? Did you have it tested?? Our Durangos are well known to do pretty much what yours is doing when the battery is on its way out. Sometmes they can test ok, but the D is really picky about this point. If your battery is the original, or is more than 4 years old I would replace it just so you know it is good to go.

When my original battery went south at 6 years plus old a few months back, my D was doing much the same as yours is now.

Don

 

so, i decided to have the dealer check out the car... PCM needs to be replaced and a rear wheel sensor... total cost? $1,050.... [:@]this blows.... im a single mother with a 5 month old, working a $7/hr job... any suggestions on how i could do this cheaper? yea, i know, stupid question, but any advice would help.... thanks.....

 

Unfortunately the PCM has to be done by the dealer (all of your D's information has to be programmed into it and they are the only ones with the tools) but the rear speed sensor is easy to replace and you could do it yourself.

 

I have a question I own a 01 Durango and for the last 2 years having issues with elec.
I had it a a shop electrical shop for 5 hours they were baffled nothing showing wrong in the engine the dash they had apart and tested wires in there and found nothing but when it rains my car goes nuts and the only way I can fix it is to take off the battery cable leave it for about 5 min then put it back on and its fine until I drive out in the rain again.
its like poltergeist in the rain lights flickering wipers stay on or wont turn on at all head lights one will work one wont just crazy.
Does someone have an answer for me on this one.
I need help I got a new battery tried that had other stuff tested I am ready to drive this thing into the river.

 

I as well would like to know how was the battery tested to make sure it was good?

And if it does end up being the PCM the dealer is no longer the only place that can do the flash. You can have it shipped and rebuilt and have it back in less then a week by some of the online after market PCM rebuid stores.

 

If memory serves, I think on the 99 models, some users reported a big fuse that needs to be replaced to address the 1999 model durangos suddenly lost all electrical power.