hydrashocker, I forgot to thank you for your great guide on the starter, it was very useful.

So today we took out the starter and took it to autozone and it checked out ok. We put it back in and my nephew mentioned that he clipped the ignition line more firm on the starter this time around, and what do you know, we heard clicks (and not the whizzing sound we've been hearing). We changed the battery to a known good one, and sure enough it started right up....

but now, it stalls unless you keep your foot on the gas pedal. The moment you take your foot off the gas, it dies. I had this issue once and it was fixed when we replaced an O2 Sensor. Could this be the issue again? I was under the impression that there were two O2 Sensors, could it be the other one failed too?

 

there are two O2 sensors, but only one of them is cruicial to the engine running, and that is the pre-cat sensor, the post-cat is just there to tell the computer if the cat is working or not.

and the problem that you are having now is most likely the IAC valve, its a little motor mounted through the BACK of the throttle body, when they get dirty they like to stick and then the truck wont idle unless you keep your foot on the gas. My old truck had that problem and the fix was to replace that little motor, i believe it is held in by two torx head screws

HTH

 

The problem you are having is a dead battery.. even on the "good one" you just put in.

Low idle stumble on start up is nearly always battery related on the Durango. Have that one tested UNDER LOAD and/or charged and then tested.

IndyDurango

 

+1 on that Indy and also clean the entire TB as sharp says.

A low battery will make the engine run that way.

 

Update:

After a night of googling for answers, I found a link to the same type of problem I was having. Anyhow as it turns out, after a battery change, sometimes the engine controller (PCM) needs time to extend, seat, then retract the IAC motor. So basically it says after disconnecting and reconnecting the battery, turn the key to the on position but don't crank the engine, and count up to 20 and then try starting it. Worked like a charm. Guess the PCM needed to relearn it.

Here is the link to the info:

http://www.justanswer.com/questions/...-not-fire-wont

So my starting issues have been solved, thanks everyone for giving me suggestions and warmly welcoming me. I guess it came down to installing and making sure all wiring are in tight, then making sure the PCM had enough time to relearn the idle.

Thanks again everyone!

 

Naaa.

Your issue was an extending/retracting starter not an extending/retracting IAC. Plus, in all my Durango years, never heard that about the PCM??IAC specifically learning curve. The PCM takes up to 100 miles of driving to relearn, not 20 seconds on a dead key turn.

YES the PCM needs to relearn, but relearn the time it takes your IAC to react? Don't think so.

Nevertheless, you need a solid battery or issues will return as well as your starter is still suspect IMHO. A good starter doesn't exhibit the issue you related unless it was a connectivity issue that since you had it out again, had been solved.

Good luck.

IndyDurango

 

Well yeah initially, my issue was the starter. But I was able to get the starter to engage after we put it in for the third time. Guess we didn't plug in the ignition wires tight enough. After that, I stated that I was able to start but then the engine would stall without hitting the gas pedal, that's where the IAC came into it. Anyhow, all I know is that I followed what that website said to do, and it worked for me.

Thanks for taking the time to help!

 

Your welcome. I'm glad we were able to at least add a little insight for you guys. Best of luck on your Durango and please feel free to pop back in and visit anytime. We may not always be right, but we certainly will try to be as helpful as possible.

IndyD

 

/\ what he said /\

 

Well at least you got her going and the voltage was the overall problem.