99 Dodge Durango Idle/Power issue

[Sflorek]

Our 99 Dodge Durango recently has had idle/power issues. The check engine light came on giving us a code for the solenoid sensor. Brought it to the tranny place (tranny was rebuilt in 2002 with about 57,000 mi on it). Tech said everything in tranny checked out fine, but that the speed sensor needed to be replaced. Ran fine for a few days after that, but now the idle will go all over the place for about 5 seconds after startup (from about 600- over 2000, up and down constantly, then settle around 600), then does it again when put in drive or reverse. Also while driving we will notice power issues with corresponding idle spikes (sometimes redlining). The check engine will come on, but shuts off before we can get it to the mech.

Any ideas? Sorry if you need more info, don't know much about cars.

Thanx!

[tommychau]

Mabe a Throttle position sensor malfunction? My engine would surge periodically from 100-200 rpms and back again when in cruise control. Also, I feel there is no power on the low end initial take off either until the engine hits 3000 rpm's and then it takes off. After reading some posts on engine surges, some people recommended a throttle position sensor replacment. I went to NAPA auto parts and bought a $37 throttle position sensor and replaced it myself and both of those problems went away. The nice thing is the sensor looked almost exactly the same as the OEM sensor. Right down to the part number. Easy to replace. unplug electrical harness and there is just 2 #20 or #25 hex screws to take out and that's it. 5 minute job.

Also, I never received any check engine light and the dealership could not find any error codes from the computer on the throttle position sensor failure either.

[Sflorek]

Sounds like our problem, especially the low power at inital startup. It seems like it has no power until it shifts into 2nd. Also (and this is gonna be girly) before it gets into second it sounds very loud and "airy" is the only way I can describe it.

We had some codes read the other day and we got 7 errors - one for each cylinder exept for #5 saying that "The PCM has determined that a malfunction exists in the electrical circuit for Cylinder #X Fuel Injector.

[tommychau]

Forgot mentioned also that I had the dealership did a power cleaning on my fuel injectors as my Durango approached 50k miles. That also helped alot on power problems.

[billhill_401]

I have an 01 durango when I am driving above 40 at a steady pase my tranny seems to shift up and down for no reason (worse when it is warm out) any ideas

[tommychau]

Originally Posted by billhill_401

I have an 01 durango when I am driving above 40 at a steady pase my tranny seems to shift up and down for no reason (worse when it is warm out) any ideas

I would try to replace the Throttle Position Sensor first. It's a easy do it yourselfer. Go to NAPA to buy the part, I think the cost is around $33-$35 bucks. When you get the sensor, the sensor will be located on the driver side of the Throttle body. Can't miss it. Then use a allen wrench (I cannot remember the siz) to back out the 2 screws. Then swap out the part, put back the 2 screws and you're good to go. If this does not fix your shifting issue, another possibility may be your governor actuator switches going out. This happened to me where the tranny will stay locked in 2nd gear and I have to punch the gas a few times to get it to upshift. (Check engine light was on at this point). Still under warranty at that time, they found that my Governor actuator switch went out. Replaced that and everything was back to normal. Don't know the cost for the governor actuator switch and if it can be replaced by a regular user.