I know the title is very vague, but I don't know how else to phrase it without making it too long. I have a 2001 Durango with nearly exactly 225000 miles on it, and it has been giving me issues with the crank position sensor (P0320) for the past few months. I tried to change it but it was stuck so good into the block it wouldn't budge. I've been driving it putting up with the antics until I could get a chance to send it to a shop, but my hand may be forced on that. Last week I parked to do something real quick, and when I returned and started the vehicle it started very hard and shook so horribly that it barely idled at all. Luckily I was in town so I was able to get it back home, but it shook violently and clattered the whole time and stalled constantly. When it died I lost power steering and the brakes quickly got tough to press, so it was quite a hair-raising ride. I think it may have a dropped valve seat, because the brakes getting hard could be a sign of loss of compression? If that is the case though I'm surprised it still runs at all. In its current state it's not possible to really drive, and I tried running it again today and it runs the same as it did that day. I'm not sure what the possible issues would be or even where to start.

 

What engine?

Brakes are vacuum assist, and need a decent running engine to provide enough vacuum. Otherwise, it's a lot like stepping on a rock.

 

When you do change the CPS, do make sure to use Mopar. These Dodges don't take well to aftermarkets. Yeah, if your engine is not running, PS and brakes won't work. Cylinder compression has nothing to do with brakes. Master cylinder controls that. Bad plugs and TPS can also cause the symptoms you mentioned.

 

4.7L standard. Has quite a few miles on it though. I should also mention when I run the engine it produces a strong gas smell.

 

If it's leaking gas, then your fuel pressure would be low and that would contribute to hard starting and running issues. Get that sorted out first.

 

I brought the truck to a shop, where they said they would start by changing the crank position sensor since it was giving a code. They tried to remove it but it broke and everything ahead of the O ring went into the oil pan, or so they said. They wanted $1800 to drop the oil pan and remove it, which definitely isn't worth it so I had it towed home. I installed a new sensor that I have, and it runs just the same as before, so that doesn't seem to be the issue.

 

I should also add I checked the codes and it's giving me P1281 P0320 P0141 P0161 and P0700

 

The second code there is a bit suspicious.... Cam Sensor??