So, I have a new(used) 2002 Durango SLT 4.7
The check engine light is on now(after a week or so of ownership), AND the engine starts with great difficulty(really bummed)
Dealer's first word of wisdom was "check the gas cap at next fillup & let me know)

Has anyone found this to be a helpful troubleshooting step for this type of problem?

Rich
ps. I'm dreading what may become a painful fight for repair services...

 

The first thing you need are the codes that caused the light to come on. take it to an autozone, they will do it for free.A bad seal on thegas cap can cause it to throw a code, P0442,P0455,P0456 and P0457 are all EVAP control system leak codes. I had this issue with my 02 5.9L and it ended up being the cap and cracked vacume lines to the charcoal canister but i doubt that this would cause a hard starting problem. !st place to start is getting the codes.

 

wow, a bad gas cap....whodathot
I'm borrowing my buddies reader tomorrow: I'll see what it reveals.
thx

 

When I bought my 2000 Dakota Sport, it kicked up a similar code, and it turned out to be a bad gas cap seal coupled with some bad gas. Wound up dumping a fuel treatment & injector cleaner bottles in, some premium fuel, and the dealer replaced the gas cap seal.

Problem solved.