My engine stalls at idle why?

Tiny
DURANT SHALE
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 DODGE DURANGO
  • 23,000 MILES
My vehicle will not stay running I have been told it is air locked. How do I fix this problem I am having?
Friday, May 12th, 2017 AT 1:45 AM

41 Replies

Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,413 POSTS
Highly doubt it is air locked, more likely is that you have a bad fuel pump or bad filter if it acts like it is not getting fuel. Test the fuel pressure and flow and see what you have at the rail on the engine.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/stall-at-idle

Please run down these guides and report back.
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Friday, May 12th, 2017 AT 3:54 AM
Tiny
2CP-ARCHIVES
  • MEMBER
  • 4,540 POSTS
  • 1999 DODGE DURANGO
  • 156,000 MILES
The engine shut off when its put in gear
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Friday, October 16th, 2020 AT 11:43 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,858 POSTS
Will it stay running if you hold the gas pedal down 1/8"? Do you get the normal "idle flare-up" to 1500 rpm when you start the engine? Was the battery recently disconnected or run dead?
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Friday, October 16th, 2020 AT 11:44 AM (Merged)
Tiny
FARRLYN ARNOLD
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
  • 1999 DODGE DURANGO
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • 308,000 MILES
Keeps shutting off after starting.
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Friday, October 16th, 2020 AT 11:44 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
Sounds like the idle control passage is clogged and not allowing the engine to idle. Can you start the vehicle and then keep it alive by raising the RPM?

If so, we need to remove the throttle body and try to clean this passage and retest. Here is a guide that helps with this:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/mass-air-flow-service

Let us know what you find. Thanks
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Friday, October 16th, 2020 AT 11:44 AM (Merged)
Tiny
FARRLYN ARNOLD
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
I had already tried that and it didn't work.
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Friday, October 16th, 2020 AT 11:44 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
Just to clarify did you already try cleaning that passage and it didn't work or trying to keep it alive with more RPM and that didn't work?

If we haven't removed the throttle body and cleaned it, I would do that next even if you can't keep it running. Let me know. Thanks
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Friday, October 16th, 2020 AT 11:44 AM (Merged)
Tiny
FARRLYN ARNOLD
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
I solved the problem. I took out the fuel pump relay and the fuse first. Then I opened my gas cap and turned my ignition switch on but not try to start it. I put fuse and relay back and waited a few minutes. Then I started it. It worked. So far it's doing great. Thanks so much for all your help. It has been greatly appreciated!
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Friday, October 16th, 2020 AT 11:44 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
Interesting. That is where we were going next was a fuel issue. So if this starts again, you need to test the fuel pressure and most likely you have a failing pump.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator

Thanks for the info.
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Friday, October 16th, 2020 AT 11:44 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KOLBYYY
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1999 DODGE DURANGO
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 130,000 MILES
My battery was dead so I jumped car. Charged battery up because it is dead but will not be able to replace for another day or so. I work at a diesel shop but cars sometimes trick me. It was idling high at about 1000 rpm it is uaully about 650 I belive. When the AC is running it runs a little high but drops down every now and then. With AC not running it will keep jumping up and down but gets weaker every time it jumps down and will shut off. My alt was reading about 13.5 to 14. Not too sure!
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Friday, October 16th, 2020 AT 11:44 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,640 POSTS
Has the check engine light come on? It sounds like an IAC or TPS, but I can't be sure without the light. Also, yes it is normal for it to idle up with the AC.

Let me know about the light.

Joe
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Friday, October 16th, 2020 AT 11:44 AM (Merged)
Tiny
FARRLYN ARNOLD
  • MEMBER
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Thanks !
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Friday, October 16th, 2020 AT 11:44 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
You are welcome. Talk to you next time. Thanks for using 2CarPros.
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Friday, October 16th, 2020 AT 11:44 AM (Merged)
Tiny
WHITEY678
  • MEMBER
  • 12 POSTS
  • 1999 DODGE DURANGO
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 156,000 MILES
I drive a 1999 Dodge Durango. Had the transmission rebuilt and now after the car heats up and is driven a few miles, it begins to run rough and when going to stop the engine starts cutting out like it wants to stall, and once you actually stop, the engine picks back up but still runs rough. I am not sure what to do, I have replaced the crank shaft position sensor, fuel pump, oxygen sensor, ECU, and tested the throttle position sensor, air intake temperature sensor, MAP sensor and all are in working order. The trucks engine also tries to cut out even if you manual downshift through the gears. Any advice would be nice I cant stand this anymore
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Friday, October 16th, 2020 AT 11:44 AM (Merged)
Tiny
LEGITIMATE007
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,121 POSTS
Hi, I would begin by checking the idle air control valve, and the timing. When was the last time you did a timing belt?
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Friday, October 16th, 2020 AT 11:44 AM (Merged)
Tiny
WHITEY678
  • MEMBER
  • 12 POSTS
I have never did a timing belt, I am pretty sure mine has a timing chain though. When my vehicle goes into limp mode, it runs better, but as soon as I reset the computer it goes back into trying to stall. I recently had my tranny rebuilt, is it possible there was a vacuum line left off?
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Friday, October 16th, 2020 AT 11:44 AM (Merged)
Tiny
LEGITIMATE007
  • MECHANIC
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That is quite possible, also the torque convertor clutch relay may be at fault, I dont recall if you have a check engine light on or tcm light on?
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Friday, October 16th, 2020 AT 11:44 AM (Merged)
Tiny
LEGITIMATE007
  • MECHANIC
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I would definitely scan it, you know autozone does it for free, this way we can get to the bottom of this without, checking every single possibility
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Friday, October 16th, 2020 AT 11:44 AM (Merged)
Tiny
WHITEY678
  • MEMBER
  • 12 POSTS
I have scanned it I have my own scan tool. I have oxygen sensor circuit low, and fuel system lean. I have replaced the 02 sensors and am still getting the codes. Runs fine while codes are on, but once reset the truck runs like crap
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Friday, October 16th, 2020 AT 11:44 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BUBBA1234
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1998 DODGE DURANGO
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 75,000 MILES
My battery died, car started with a jump but won't stay running at idle, only runs at higher revs (1000rmp or higher). It starts now without a jump but still dies at idle speed.
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Friday, October 16th, 2020 AT 11:44 AM (Merged)

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