On Christmas eve 2015 I took my truck to Edmonton which is around 30 minutes from where I live. I was merging onto the highway getting up to around 110 km/h when my truck very suddenly bogged down and refused to go past 60 km/h or 2500 rpm.I was forced to pull over and assess the problem. Pulling onto the side of the highway I let off the throttle and my truck died and locked the power steering. I managed to start it while rolling and get it to the side of the highway where it died again. After looking at the basic things like the battery and connections I drove it to a parking lot and called a cab leaving it there overnight in the cold. I purchased a new battery as mine was getting old and it started but was very rough and would die when I let off the gas.I then tried to drive it back home about a 30 minute drive without letting off the gas and it drove for about 10 minutes and died again this time refusing to start when cranked even while slowly pumping the gas. The oil was very low but the engine temp was fine. I got it towed home and read the code it was throwing as the crankshaft position sensor so I changed it and it started fine and idled good. I drove it around the block and it then died when I let off the gas pedal. By this time I had also changed all the spark plugs with new ones and checked the throttle body for any blockages or gunk but it was also clear and clean. I'm fed up now and took it to OK Tire where they ripped the top end of my engine apart trying to find the problem as their scanner wasn't giving them any codes, however it was telling them that the engine was running in open loop all the time and wouldn't go into closed loop. From my understanding the engine should only be in open loop when starting. They checked all the ignition coils as my Durango has independent coils for each cylinder and they said they were getting spark on all 8 but 2 of my cylinders weren't firing.They even switched the coils and the same cylinders were still not firing and being flooded with gas. They took off my timing chain cover n the right side and then told me my timing chain was broken on 2 links and this is what is causing my problem. I talked to a very knowledgeable guy Tom at Napa who has helped me with many other projects on this truck and he then told e they were crazy and if my timing chain as damaged the engine wouldn't work at all. So here I am out a lot of money and back where I started with many new parts in my truck and no idea where to go from here. I love my Durango and need it fixed before winter which is coming fast. Please help :/

 

Very detailed post, which is appreciated; however, you have left out some very important info that would be beneficial to anyone wanting to offer assistance: year, engine size, transmission, mileage, etc.

 

The year is 2000 its an slt version. 4.7 V8 with a switchable 4x4 transmission and 300k mileage. Any help would be appreciated as I have just switched around the coil packs to check for a faulty one and they are all good coils. I am not sure where to go from here as timing seems to be the issue as all coil packs are firing.

 

does any1 have any ideas? I have to fix this before it snows.

 

the camshaft position sensor works with the crankshaft position sensor to determine when to fire the coils, i would look at the cps as faulty since it looks like that hasnt been replaced yet, give that a try and let us know, if that doesnt work it will require a little digging through the FSM to figure out what else to check.

 

Tried replacing the cps today and no luck im at a shop right now dealing with my Kia (ewwwww) Ive tried everything now so im just going to ask this mechanic to take a look at my truck , the timing chain in particular. Thanks for the help ill update this post when I have it fixed.

 

Not sure why your friend at Napa discounts the earlier diagnosis. You said the engine oil was "very low" and you were taking highway trips. How long was the oil low? I think it's possible for your timing chain to be damaged and cause skipped timing even if it didn't break completely. That would explain why It can still run for a little bit.

 

I have an 03 4.7l 4x4 120,000 miles SXT it's doing the same thing I've been replacing parts and sensors like no ones business and I'm still having the same issue. Mine is not doing it all the time but when it happens it comes out of nowhere and continually throws the cam position sensor code I've replaced the cam & crank sensors tps iac map I've cleaned the throttle body many times I've ran seafoam threw the entire vehicle. Any help would be greatly appreciated Tom

 

So I had this same thing happen to me before. 2 differences though: 1. it was after I replaced a fuel pump, and 2. It was on my old Audi. It took me a week to figure out that the butterfly valve inside the throttle body wasn't opening.

Try this: push the valve open and spray starter fluid inside the throttle body. It worked for me.