[drjimmy]

Originally Posted by Benzman

I am pretty confident that this is a weak battery issue. It could actually be an alternator issue, but hear me out.

When the battery is low on charge (less than 12V), the computer tends to screw up the fuel/air system. A certain amount less than 12V will cause more fuel in the mixture than desired at idle. This is why it won't idle on it's own. A little lower voltage and it practically goes to full fuel and then you have the flooded symptom.

You are doing mostly the right procedure to recover.

With a fully charged battery (either a new one, or your old one left on a charger overnight).
Pull the fuel pump fuse and start the vehicle with the throttle fully depressed. Sometimes you have to crank it a while. Even if it starts up immediately, your not out of the woods.
Let it run until it dies on its own. Try starting again and make sure that it won't start, this clears all of the fuel out.
Now, put the fuse back in and disconnect the battery for about 10 minutes. This resets the computer. If you don't do this step, the computer may be stuck with full fuel request and it will simply flood again.
After reconnecting a fully charged battery, it should fire right up and idle on it's own.

Now, assuming that this procedure works, you should still have the battery and alternator checked out, because something is not allowing a full charge while you are driving.

A good alternator will put out a solid 14V with the engine running. After shutting the engine off, the voltage should be 12.6 to 13V WITHOUT dropping more than .01 volts / second. If it drops faster, then the battery is no good, or something is loading it down.

You guys are the best! Tried to start my Durango after letting it sit for 3 weeks, would not start. Followed your procedure and it fired right up. Thanks!