Just bought a 00 Durango 5.9 L that is running horrible. It has severe detonation at all temperatures. It runs rich and the new plugs smell like fuel. It had a P1391 trouble code. Replaced the Crank sensor when I went to change out the cam sensor/ pick up coil I noticed someone had loosened the distributor. I changed the parts , tightened the distribbutor and still no luck. How do u properly time the engine? Someone has also replaced the TPS. It does not idle without subsequently dying and dies at low speeds. Highway speeds are OK unless u accelerates then spits and sputter and pings heavily. Pings with very little throttle. Any ideas would be appreciated? Also fuel pressure is at 45-50 PSI.

Thanks

Richard

 

P1391 Interm Loss of CMP or CKP


It's called "Indexing the distributor".

Sounds like the truck isn't timed so yu are going to have to do this manually. Put #1 cylinder on TDC. You will have to remove the spark plug to do this. Stick a long screw driver in through the spark plug hole and ensure the piston is at the top and the crank markings at TDC. Now take the Cap off the distributor and see if the rotor is pointing at #1 contact. Loosen the distributor and point to #1 dead center. Now very carefully turn the distributor counter clockwise a VERY tiny amount and lock it down by tightening the hold down bolt so you are around 6 degrees Before TDC (Advanced)


Reset the PCM, look at teh beginning here: https://dodgeforum.com/forum/1st-gen...ine-light.html


If you are feeling technical you can "Index" the distributor by looking here at this PDF: http://bionicdodge.com/Download/Spee...d%20Tricks.pdf

 

What plugs/wires are in it? Could you afford a new set of correct plugs/wires/cap/rotor?
The dist. being loose i'd play it safe and replace the cap and rotor with quality brass units.

 

Thanks Hydra, I will try this weekend and let you know if it helps. The snap on machine says it is loosing communication with the cam/crank sensor. If this doesn't work I think the PCM may be bad. I have traced wires looking for breaks but nothing bad there.

 

Check the harness on the PCM for corrosion.

 

all very good ideas id start with a plugs/wires/cap/rotor as hydra and duranged said

 

Ok, I indexed the distributor and it ran great for about an hour thenit cooled off and when I cranked it the problem came right back. I put it on a Snap On codis machine and the crank sensor is loosing signal. This is a direct check on the sensor. I guess next step is to check the ground and wires again. Could the toner ring be intermittant or is that either bad or not??

 

Most likely a bad crank sensor. Get one from the dealer then Reset the PCM again.


The tone ring cannot change so it must be the sensor, however there was 1 documented case way back when that had to pull the motor and replace the tone ring. Some how the tone ring was bad??????

 

Update on the Durango, I am thinking about setting fire to it now !!!!

replaced the distributor cause the one that was in it felt like it was scraping while the truck was running. Ok here's what it's doing now. It will run great for 5 minutes or 5 days. Who Knows? When it messes up, if I hold the RPM at 1500 for about 2-3 minutes it will clear up and be good for a while. It seems to be healing itself, I have determoned the cam-sensor is what is loosing communication with the pcm. Any other suggestions. At wits end with this thing.

 

You could try replacing a crank or cam sensor.