I have a 2012 Dodge Durango Citadel that's started giving me issues lately. It started July 23rd, I drove it all morning and it was fine. Took it home and let it sit til about 3:00pm and it did fine then too. Parked it til about 6:00 and couldn't get it to start. Jumped it and it was fine. It's important to note it was very hot that afternoon. The next week was much cooler (low 80's), cloudy and rainy and I never had another issue. Last Sunday the check engine light came on. Then last Monday it was hot again and I went to go home from work and it wouldn't unlock, so I pulled the key out of the fob and unlocked it that way and the alarm went off for like 5 minutes. Then it finally started and a lot of the war ning lights were on. When I turned it off and on all but the engine light went off. Every day it drove fine to work and to and from lunch but would not start in the intense afternoon heat. One afternoon every time I opened the door the alarm went off. I cannot find anything to tell me what's happening and the dealer where I bought it "didn't know" what any of the codes f was throwing meant.

 

If the dealer doesn't know what the codes meant, time to find another dealer. Was that FCA dealer? One thing to look into is the key fob battery. When was the last time it was changed? Also,not knowing what region you are in, in hot climates car batteries tend not to last that long and when voltages are low, the computer tends to go haywire. If the check engine light is on then there is a code stored that a good technician will be able to read. Keep in mind that just because a sensor threw a code, there is a whole diagnostics procedure to determine which part made that sensor throw the code.

 

Thanks! The check engine light went off Friday and did fine all weekend. It was cooler than it has been, warmed up today and wouldn't start in the evening again. Not in a super hot climate. SW Missouri. Just normal summer heat. Could a battery intermittently give you trouble, as in in "extreme" temps? They are an FCA dealer. Part of me feels like he just didn't want to deal with it. I can't imagine he didn't know what they meant. Oh, I changed the key fob battery in May. Should I have the battery tested? I'm getting real tired of getting stranded at my new job. Oh, one more thing t usually takes me 7-20 minutes to get it to finally start. It's like it all of a sudden comes to life.

 

Do a search on TIPM and fuel pump relay

 

Wildspeed makes a good point. Also, from your post we can't tell whether you bought the D new or used, so make sure your D is up to date on all recalls. The dealer should be able to provide you that info or you can set up an account with Dodge Owner's Center (link below) where you enter the car's VIN and see the recalls and if they were performed.

https://www.moparownerconnect.com/oc...nersLogin.aspx

 

Hi asims8604,

I'd like to reach out to your dealership regarding the issues you're having with the Durango. If you can PM your VIN and contact info, as well as the dealership and with whom you spoke, that would be great. If you do want to check for open recalls as well, you can use recalls.mopar.com.

Kori
Dodge Social Care Specialist

 

Alternator is getting abnormally hot and load shedding. When this happens it will not charge the battery.


If I had a nickel....




PLEASE>>>>> Do NOT try and put your hand on the alternator as they can get hot enough to burn bacon when they malfunction.

 

Dodge conveniently avoided including the 180 amp alternator in the recall even though they have the same problems as the 160 amp. Our 2012 Citadel is sitting in the shop right now, and the quote for a new alternator replacement is making me feel nauseous.

 

Yeah, I don't understand that. I guess they went with the highest failure rate. It's not the labor, but the cost of the part.