2001 durango wont stay started

we have a 2001 5.9 r/t...today the check engine light came on so i took it to autozone..the tps code came up, so we replaced it..well the car wont stay started. itll start but then it just dies. any suggestions on what it could be cause replacing the tps didnt work.

Will it continue to run if you hold the accelerator pedal down?

yes..if i keep accelerating, it will stay on but if i stop giving it gas, it dies. we have had the battery checked and it said it was fine...so i am at a loss.

Well, it could be several things.
Air flow restriction - check or replace air filter.
Fuel restriction - replace the fuel filter.
Water in the fuel - use a bottle of ISOHEAT.
Electrical system - Even though the battery tested OK, is the alternator charging the battery? This can be tested at Autozone or Checker or other major parts stores for free.

When you hold the accelerator down, does the engine run smoothly, or is it rough?
If it runs smooth, attempt holding enough throttle to keep it running for about 3 minutes. If your alternator is working, your charge guage on the dash should read around 13 to 14V. After 3 minutes, release the throttle, if it then Idles OK, then the problem is the battery. You should replace it, even if they say it's OK. These engines are very sensative to a low battery charge. More so than most vehicles.

Hope this helps. Let me know whether or not any of this works. If not, we will see where to go from there.

well the alternator checked out fine...its running alittle rough..i just took it back up to autozone and the guy said that the throttle just needs to be adjusted...so we're gonna try that and go from there. thanks for your suggestions!

Light came on but was vehicle running okay at that time? New TPS the eng won't Idle. Bad TPS even though new possibly. Not properly installed possibly. Was there a little spring like pressure when you installed. In other words mesh the TPS to shaft and have to turn TPS to install. When you start adjusting throttle you can cause more problems.Step back and think of what happend and in what sequence. Autozone does provide a service but they are in business to sell parts.

I wouldn't adjust the throttle just yet either.
You will probably screw up your fuel economy. It was not needing adjustment prior to something failing.
You say it runs rough even at higher RPM's that means that you fuel / air mixture, delivery, or ignition is not working properly. Adjusting the throttle will not make it run smoother.

I would use some ISOHEAT, because it is the easiest thing to do. Then I would replace the air filter, because it needs to be done periodically anyways.

Write back and let us know how things are going, but be cautious about making adjustments. Adjustments are not needed unless something has come loose.

well he showed me where the throttle was loose...ok, so first thing that happened yesterday was the check engine light came on and it started to run funny. as i drove it into the autozone parking lot, it completely died on me. i started it, and pulled it in. they checked it and the tps code came up. i bought the part and installed it...but then, i started the car, gave it some gas and it died. so now, when i drive it, after giving it gas and letting up on the pedal, it dies. i went to checker and they did the check on it and its still coming up for the tps code. i went back to autozone, and a different employee came out and looked at it and thats when he said that it was the throttle and it just needed to be adjusted. before yesterday, the car was running perfectly fine.

oh forgot to mention that we had the battery and alternator checked as well.

You replaced it and still have that code = Faulty replacement part; improperly installed;have further issues such as connector;wiring or as a last resort PCM. What was the initial code and after replacement are you getting the same code?

yes same code...i installed it exactly the way its supposed to be installed...the manager at autozone said that she would be willing to exchange for a new part just incase it is faulty, so we might try that...the wiring looked good in my opinion, nothing looked loose or wrong with it.

When it comes to sensors on an engine I am a firm factory parts buyer.

Make sure you also remove the IAC valve and thoroughly clean it and the throttle body of any carbon build-up, particularly where the IACV inserts into the throttle body.

When I take everything off I will clean it all. I just hope that it is not nothing serious. Like a ecu

i am aving the same problem with my '99 Durango. what ended up being the cause of the problem?

dkoger,
It is usually a weak or dead battery. Read my previous posts in this thread. I posted a procedure to check this.