Engine stall while driving
 

I've had the engine stall about 5 times while I have been driving. It seems to happen within the first 15 minutes of driving and when I lift off the accelerator. The engine just cuts out with no warning. I lose power steering and have reduced braking capacity. Luckily this has only happened at low speed and I've managed to come to a stop, put the car in park and restart. I asked the dealer and they didn't seem to know about and wanted to do a diagnosis, which I plan on doing. Any idea of what it could be?

Car specs: 2012 Dodge Durango Citadel V8 RWD

Any codes? How many miles on it?

Hi Ajaxwalker,

Sorry to hear about this! If you need further assistance during your appointment please send us a PM with your VIN and let me know.

Andrea
Dodge Social Care Specialist

I'd start by checking the throttle body for build up of carbon on the throttle plate or around the circumference of the throttle plate, being sure to inspect the back side of the plate as well. If there's a build up of carbon or sludge, it might be snuffing the air from the engine as the throttle closes.

-Rod

Fuel pump relay. Common issue, in fact there was a recall for it a couple years ago. Head on over to...

https://www.mopar.com/en-us/sign-in.html?error

And check your VIN to see if the recall has been performed on your vehicle. In many cases, even if the recall has been performed already, the parts that were changed in the recall are known to fail again. The failing part is a fuel pump relay, and is around $14 on Amazon. Many Durango owners buy a spare and carry it in their glovebox. There's a ton of info on this subject here (just search "FUEL PUMP RELAY" in the search box) and on other Durango forums, but here is one example...

https://dodgeforum.com/forum/3rd-gen...-00-total.html

So first thing, go check your VIN to see if the recall repair was done. Then come back and let us know. Your dealer should know as quickly as I did what the problem probably is, they're just trying to get a "diagnostic fee" out of your pocket. I'm not 100% certain this is your issue, but your symptoms are like the majority of us who've had this failure and being that it is such a common issue, I'm betting dollars to donuts that's what it is. If nothing else, look into it as far as you can before you pay the dealer their "diagnostic fee". If the recall has not been done yet, have them do it - shouldn't cost you a red cent. As I said, they've done hundreds I'm sure and they probably know exactly what the problem is.

Check into this before tearing apart your throttle body looking for carbon build up or replacing sensors, etc. Not really an issue for these vehicles in large part.

No codes pop up. Currently it has about 58,000 miles. Fuel pump relay recall was completed in Feb 2015. I havent kept a log of the failures but I would say it has only happened since the relay was replaced.

Thanks for the detailed response. Fuel pump relay was replaced in Feb 2015. I didnt keep any logs of the failures but I cant recall them happening before the relay was replaced. I do believe this may be the issue but how will they got about diagnosing it since the failures are intermittent? Also worth noting there is no check engine light when this happens.

Just grab one for $15, plug it in and see what happens. If it works, you're coming out way ahead of paying for a "diagnostic fee". If it doesn't, oh well. You can get one here...



To replace it, you'll need to first disconnect the negative terminal of the battery to avoid the risk of shock and/or shorting something out while you work. Then, unbolt it from the inner fender and unclip the wiring connector on the bottom, CAREFULLY. Then clip the wiring harness into the new one and bolt it in. Not sure if that is something you think you'd want to try - is there someone with a little car knowledge that can help you? Perhaps you can bring the part to the dealer and tell them to do it but man, I hate dealers and God knows if they smell even a LITTLE weakness on you they'll exploit it as long and hard as they can. They might go so far as to tell you that the relay wasn't the problem and that you need a new fuel pump(s) for $800, when all the while the $15 relay WAS the problem...and you'd have no way of knowing better. I hate dealers. Circumvent them if you can, and hopefully my advice helps you do that. Here are photos of where this part is located in your engine bay.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a2...psxtsfhii0.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a2...psixnax4m9.jpg

I obviously have no way of knowing if this is IN FACT your problem, but it's a cheap and easy place to start and such a common issue on these trucks that I think you'd be foolish NOT to try it before paying a dealer any money to just look at your Durango. It may turn out I was completely off base, and a common disclaimer I feel like I need to add to my posts here is I AM NOT A TECHNICIAN. Good luck and let us know what happens.

My recall fixed relay failed. I bought a new one on ebay for about $10 and it solved my stalling on start up problem. I bought another and carry it in the vehicle- just in case.

So yeah Ajaxwalker, it does happen. And like Waynead said, many of us carry a spare in the glove box.