okay i am lost on what is wrong with my durango. I was having problems starting it, but it would start after a couple of failed attempts. I was down to 1/8 of a tank took about ten mins but started went and got gas and then refused to start. the next day i got it started but had to keep my foot on the gas in order to get it going. it was like idling low like i was going to run outta gas after ten minutes of driving. ( everytime i stopped i had to pop it in nuetral and keep foot on gas). I turned the car off and back on and it ran fine. The next three days i had no problems until it got right below 1/8 of a tank and it started to take a while to start,then just wouldnt start I put gas in it again let it sit a day but nothing. I have since changed all the spark plugs with little success. I can hear the fuel pump kick on when i replaced the plugs i could smell gas on them. please help.

does anyone know to test an ignition coil at home? would starting fluid help?

 

You can goggle how to test the coil it is not hard. You will need a volt ohm meter. I would not use starting fluid. Test the fuel presser with a gage they are cheep. If it is hard starting when low on gas I would suspect the fuel pump.

 

sounds like the fuel pump is going out

 

an easy thing to check is the battery. Make sure the connections are good and clean as well as making sure the battery isn't too old (more than a few years), if it is get it load tested to make sure it's good. Poor battery connections can cause stalling issues. I'm not entirely sure if that would be causing the problem since it sounds like you're having more than one issue, but it's worth looking at.

 

Agree on this one. Im also wondering if it could be the pump relay? and its always a good idea to start with the battery and check how its doin...connections, corrosion, bad battery...always check this first.

 

okay so i got the car started after bleeding the fuel line ( gas did spray a bit not too much and air came out) i can hear the pump kick on. once the car started i had to keep my foot on the gas because once i let off it died. after a few minutes the car ran fine and idle where its suppose to. why would my car die once the foot is off the gas is this still the fuel pump or the choke?

 

battery is 2 years old. and i checked the pump relay its good.

 

you need to get a fuel pressure gage and check it

 

How many gallons does it take to fill from 1/8th? Your check valve inside the pump or in-tank sending unit maybe wearing out and causing the gauge to read a little high. Either of these would explain the air in the line if there are no visible leaks.

 

Just because it's 2 yrs old doesn't mean it's good and your connections are clean and tight.

When I read "keep foot on gas to keep it going" I immediately thought battery or connections.

These trucks do some crazy things with low voltage to the PCM.

I'd check the battery and connections before going through the troubles of anything else.