Hello folks,

We've got a 1998 Durango 5.2L. My mom was driving it and said that she heard/felt a pop in the gas pedal, and suddenly the engine began free revving. She coasted and brought the truck to a stop, at which point the engine apparently died. Now, the engine will turn over but it will not start. It is getting fuel to the rails, but it doesn't even attempt to fire, the starter just keeps spinning.

She mentioned that she had seen a "Check Gages" light a few times, but it never stayed on for long and was not on when the engine died.

Initially we thought it was the fuel pump, but as I said, it is getting fuel.

I checked the fuses, nothing was blown.

I don't know the history on the Camshaft and Crankshaft position sensors, but they are definitely suspect.

We're hoping it's not the transmission (automatic), but the conditions under which it died sound like the torque convertor seized. What's weird is that the motor will turn over with the starter, but it's clearly not getting any spark.

No CEL, however I have not found an OBDII scanner to use yet, so I don't know if there are any codes to pull.

Any ideas?

I'm not at all familiar with American vehicles, I'm a European car guy. This is actually my younger brother's account, as he's supposed to be buying the truck from my parents when he's 16.

Thanks!

-Tyler

Edit: I did search, and found plenty of people whose vehicles stalled out, but none that wouldn't start up again afterwards.

 

since you say it isn't getting spark I'd say to check the ignition system first. Check the distributor cap and rotor as well as the ignition module on the front passenger side of the engine (you can trace the wire to it from the distributor).

 

What exactly am I looking for in those? What are the typical signs of failure? My car doesn't have a distributor, haha.

 

for the distributor cap check to see if the contacts are corroded, pitted, or for any cracks. look for the same things on the rotors. Also check for moisture under the cap. Seeing that the distributor cap and rotor are probably the original 14 year old ones, I'd change them anyway.

Also check all of the plug wires and the wire going from the ignition module to the distributor for shorts. Again, it wouldn't hurt to change the wires either.

Check the ignition module for power. If there isn't any it is likely a culprit and needs replaced.

Beyond that the crankshaft position sensor could be another cause.

 

The ignition wire on the front passenger side of the engine somehow managed to come unplugged.

Plugged it back in and she fired right up.

 

well at least it was an easy fix. Just curious though, did it get knocked off by something?

 

We have no idea. As far as my dad is aware, it's never been touched. I guess we'll find out if it comes off again.

 

well, you might want to replace the wires then so it won't happen again

 

It's not like it was a loose connection. It went back on just fine and was snug. I know the wires aren't original, but outside of that I'm not sure how old they are.

Meh. Not too worried about it happening again. I don't drive it. Haha.

 

Replace the coil and TPS first then reset the PCM.