ok, I STAND CORRECTED. Unlike some of the other sensors on the Durango/Dakota, the TPS SENSOR is basically a potentiometer made a certain way with a spring return.
The wipers inside rubbing on that flexi carbon track..provides the voltage measurement ton the ECM. Something that is basically that simple can cause so much grief.

 

There actually are units that use a more sophisticated means for tracking throttle position. They may incorporate a Hall effect or other more exacting method. They will usually call it TS, rather than TPS. I have no idea why they would change the nomenclature. (Maybe TS means "The better way to track throttle position"). They perform the same exact function. My point was more of a clarification for the 1998 Dodge durango. Unfortunately, Dodge uses the crummy potentiometer method.

 

I have had the same problem for 4 years now and my 04 Dakota would stall only when cold and hard stopping.
There are 2 filters inside the transmission when you remove the oil pan. The pickup filter has a seal that must be driven in and seated by tapping it in with a seal driver or socket. Then you can install the filter. The seal itself when removed must by pryed and pulled out. My seal was not seated in the transmission body but seated on the filter neck. Installed incorrectly during a filter change I suspect the metal and rubber seal was seated but sitting on top of the filter neck and was seated on the necks step where it lines up with the transmission body. Truck functioned fine when warm but would alsways surge on the first or second stop especially at or below 64 degrees outside.
The second filter has a plastic threading that MUST be torqued with a large allen key into the filter to something like 14ft lbs. Then install the filter. Failure to do so will allow the filter to back off eventually no matter if the filtet to body is torqued properly.
Its now been about 2 weeks since I did my filter change and hitting 48 degrees.
I have done everything else in search of finding this answer for 4 years. My transmission fluid was not burned and seamed fine. The first indicator I found was I had some small bubbles on the transmission stick when checking at operating temp. HOPE THIS HELPS AND GOOD LUCK.

 

I think he's probably figured it out by now. It's been almost 5 years.

 

No body here has the right answer. Ive had this problem since I bought my truck 4 years ago. This thread is still in use and one of the top hits in Google. Its an active thread so unless you got something usefull to add ......

 

Well you did pick the right handle for yourself.