The Problem: 2001 Dodge Durango 4x2 4.7L V8 Magnum

The problem started a few months ago, after driving my durango for 30 minutes or so, then stopping the engine, if i return to start it within a couple minutes she starts up fine, but if i leave it any longer than 2 minutes, until she cools down all the way she won't start. The gear shift indicator (box around gear) is not showing around park and neutral (only two gears you can start in...) but shows correctly in every other gear, so i don't believe it is a linkage problem. At first i thought it might be the pcm getting to hot, but tonight after stopping and letting it sit 30 minutes, i had to fuss with it for about 2 hours, so im not sure if it has to do with the engine being cool.

What fixed her tonight- Turned key to on position, put in neutral (no box around it), pushed the car out of the way so a friend could move his car, came back to turn it off and the box was around N....i just don't get it..

Troubleshooting:

Moving steering column up and down. -Negative-doesn't help

Moving shifter from p to 1 back to p - it worked for about the first week i did it, and has since stopped being effective.

Cleaned battery terminals and checked wiring(fine) - seemed to work for a while or so, then back to same issue.

Among other issues it has: Idle surging at low rpms, front left suspension arm knocking when i turn the wheel, squeaks when i turn the wheel at all....i just really want to be able to drive my car and not be embarrassed every time i stop that i wont be able to start my d up for at least an hour...if anyone knows exactly what may be causing this issue please give me a hand.

Regards,
-Troy

 

check the range sensor on the transmission, if it is going bad it might not pick up the trans being in certain gears

 

Do you have an aftermarket alarm w/ disable? Could be that or could be the neutral safety switch. Do your back up lights light up? If not, then the nss is bad. I had the EXACT symptoms you have. But I have a solution to bypass the nss. If you want it, PM me and I'll tell you.

 

just post the bypass method for everyone to see dan, come on you know how that works by now

 

Shrp, ill check the range sensor when I get home and post an update. Dan the nss is good, I have reverse backup lights, but its always wprth checking into. My alarm system is factory.

 

I talked it over with the mods a while back and they suggested I keep it off the general boards. But if you want it, I'll email you the process, sharps.

 

please do dan, thanks

 

I don't remember this conversation or even what the "range sensor" even is?

 

yea, i never heard about it either but w/e long as he pms it to me it will be on record forever

 

Sorry, I get confused. Old age... I meant on another forum the mods suggested I keep it off the general forums.