I have a 04 Durango Limited Hemi 5.7l V-8,106k. Usually only stalls when I come to a stop for the first time after starting it. Since I live rural, this is about 4 miles down the road and the engine is at regular running temp. Throughout the rest of my driving, when I come to a stop, the RPMs will drop from my normal idle (600rpms) to about 300-400rpms and then back up to about 500rps and idle. Does not stall out. I was told to replace the throttle body sensor. Well I don't have one. It is all part of the Throttle body. I have no codes. Durango has "jumped" forward at a stop when I have my foot on the brake (in drive) approx 2-3 times since this started happening. I don't have a lot of money and I have seen about 7 different fixes for this: bad PCM, bad rollover sensor in fuel tank, bad fuel pump, bad upstream O2 sensor, bad TPS (don't have one), PCM needs flashed and updating, evap leak, tb dirty (its clean). I don't want to nickle and dime myself into debt trying to figure this out. Does anyone have a solid fix? I've even heard changing the thermostat to a 180* to fake the pcm into thinking the engin is still warming up. HELP!

 

I cannot address all your possibilities, but will address the ones that I can help with.

This usually would not cause the surging you are experiencing. Intermittent dying, hard to start, sure. Usually not the opposite though. Nice thing to rule out to, since its not that easy to get to.

These newer Durangos actually have two upstream O2 sensors, one per side. If they haven't been touched in over 100k, I'd suggest replacing them anyway, even if they aren't the problem. Their life expectancy is only about 100k or a little less. Rock Auto has decent prices for sensors, I'd recommend the Denso (OEM) brand. Same units you'd get at a $tealership, but not paying the high price.

Correct. The HEMI's have electronically controlled throttle, and instead of the TPS they have a APP sensor (Accelerator Pedal Position). Its located right above the gas pedal.

Borrowed a graphic from the 3rd Gen Ram section to show you:

I doubt the APP sensor is your problem though. They aren't like the TPS sensors that my 2001 1500 has or my wife's 4.7, they aren't supposed to fail anywhere near as often.



I doubt this one. If it hasn't been doing it since you first owned it, why would a PCM problem suddenly show up?

When you say "its clean", does that mean you've literally taken it off the engine and cleaned it, inside and out? If not, thats what someone means by cleaning the TB.

Test the battery as well. Thats usually pretty simple with a multimeter/voltmeter. A dying battery can have weird effects on a car's electronics, including its computer.

Have you checked the ASD (Auto Shut Down) relay in the fuse box/relay center under the hood? Try swapping it with another relay, like the one for the tow package or some temporarily unnecessary system. If the problem doesn't resurface, there's your issue. A quirky ASD relay can cause weird electrical issues, as it controls electricity flow to the whole ignition system.

When was the last time you did a tune up? Spark plugs, wires, air filter, etc.?

 

In the TB as well, is the idle air control motor. This could be a cause for your problem if it is dirty. Only way to replace it though is to replace the entire TB.

 

I have never done this, but according to various other threads and parts websites, I am going to have to call you out on this one sir. I believe you are incorrect.

The IAC according to almost every resource I can find is the same unit between the 4.7 and Hemi, and you don't have to replace the throttle body. If it is the same, it should be fairly easy to replace and about $65-$70 for the part. Rock Auto (with shipping) is about the same price as Advance Auto on this one, which is weird. Usually Rock Auto is far cheaper than Advance for the same parts.

 

Thank you for answer. I agree with you on all the points you have listed. These were just suggestions from other dodge folks regarding my issue. I keep up on most routine maintanence like air filter, spark plugs, etc. I recently purchased a new battery.

This problem started after I did the following:
* flushed the tranny
* replaced #3 coil (water was leaking down in it and it went bad. Apparantly a common problem.)
* I've replaced all 16 spark plugs.
* I had my fuel system professionally cleaned
* replaced o-rings on one injector (they got damaged when the injector was pulled out.)

I originally had the previous problem: https://dodgeforum.com/forum/2nd-gen...171-p2096.html in which you had mentioned the O2 sensors as well. I have not replaced my spark plug wires yet (although I don't see them causing this issue, but I do need to replace them.)

Someone else has suggested the MAP and or MAF sensors. Also I have not personally taken the tb off and cleaned it, however I just assumed that it was cleaned well when my fuel system was cleaned and I've used throttle body cleaner previously while it was still on (did not see any dirt or buildup). I'm worried that if I can't fix this soon, I'm going to trash my cats and I definately cannot afford that fix.

I'm pretty mechanically inclined and have done 90% of the work on all my own vehicles. I have never run into an issue like this that has so many "fixes". I've read that this is a extremely common problem with the 5.7l Hemi on the 04 and 05 models, but Dodge did not see it as an issue. I'm going to swap the relay tonight. I'm currently not towing esp because of this issue. If you have any more ideas, I'd definately like to hear them. If ANYONE out there has had this problem and has compared notes and found one solid fix, please help!

I just like that when you research the TPS for a 5.7l Hemi, all the parts sites come up with the same sensor (I bought one before realizing that I dont have that type of sensor, and returned it tonight) I would have assumed that if my engine doesn't have an individual TPS it wouldn't be available to purchase. I did actually know about the unit on the accelerator pedal, but ruled that out as the cause.

Cannot replace the ASD relay with another one. Only one that is same size and amp is the blower motor and I need that one...

 

No MAF sensors on these vehicles, just the MAP.

Sometimes its the junk in the areas you cannot see that gets you. The TB is not part of the fuel system, so it wasn't necessarily cleaned.

Have you looked at the IAC yet?

 

I will remove the TB and clean it better. I will check out the IAC. So far what I've read on it, I don't have a seperate IAC that its part of the TB on the 5.7l Hemi motor. I confirmed tonight in the FSM, Fuel Injection section 14, pages 34 and 56, that the 5.7 engine doesn't have a separate TPS or IAC.

 

Mitchell states part of tb. Have confirmed this myself on the tb and through the dealer. Maybe same parts for both on first gens?

 

Precious:

When you had or did the trans flush, did you pull the pan and install a new filter also.

The 545rfe trans in our Durangos has a funny quirk in that a loose or otherwise improperly installed trans filter can cause stalling.

I would put this on your list of items to check especially if you pulled the pan.

Don

 

GREAT, another mistake on parts websites. TPS and IAC for the HEMI, when it indeed has neither. Perfect. Sorry for quoting this bad info.