Hey everyone, I have a 1999 dodge durango, 4x4 with only 172k on her, I got her from a police sale and no nothing about the history, New cat, brakes and belt and tensioner and we are off to the races. 8,000 miles later (after endless days of triple digit heat) we have a problem I am at my end with.

Started a check engine light would flash and nothing else (when I say flash I mean stay on for 1 maybe 2 seconds and turn off) following that it would jerk and sputter but keep running, Now she turns off but fires right up ( i throw her in N and turn the key and then back into D) no issue. I noticed it did it more in the hotter day we had not so much in the morning cold, I do have a external thermostat leak but that should cause a stall right?

Things I have done
Throttle body has been cleaned with 2 cans of cleaner, Qtips and rags.
New IAC, TPS, (picked up a coil today will install after work)
Ran a bottle of Sea foam
The wires and plugs look newer
Any ideas would be great

 

What plugs are in it? Wouldn't hurt to pull a couple, and see what they look like.

Scan for codes, just for giggles. Be sure and look for pending codes as well.

 

I have ngk plugs, i just swung by autozone and replaced all plugs, wire, and coil. The issue is still there just less aggressive.

 

Did you have 'em scan for codes while you were there?

 

no codes, none stored, current

 

Hhhmmm...... Does it only do it at idle? Have you tried resetting the PCM?

 

Mine 99 SLT was similar, with 451,000 kms on it. It ended up being the fuel pump not holding prime pressure. Would refire like new if the ignition was cycled 2-3 times eh Really weirded me out.

 

since you specifically mentioned it happens more frequently on hot days Im wondering if the PCM is nearing EOL and overheating, while the symptoms arent a perfect match the PCMs are known to go out on the 98-00s in this manner.

when the PCM is failed they typically stall out and WONT restart until they cool down, adding additional cooling to the PCM will reduce the time to restart (putting a bag of ice against the unit is a common troubleshooting step)