Dodge Durango Engine Won’t Start
If a Dodge Durango motor will not activate and begin to work, examine its symptoms. A sign or symptom can help pinpoint the problem cause. Thus, for example, an engine that will not crank can signify a discharged battery whereas an engine that cranks but won’t start can be evidence of a bad fuel pump.
Use this extremely popular trick to find the starting problem in seconds.
To fix a Dodge Durango that will not turn on and begin to run, start with simple troubleshooting. In most cases it’s a quick-fix. Nine times out of ten it’s bad battery or corroded battery cables.
Although, sometimes a starting issue can be difficult to diagnose and require advanced troubleshooting procedures to trace and correct the fault. Whatever the case may be, this guide should help you get your SUV back up and running again.
Dodge Durango Won’t Start
| Condition | Possible Cause | Remedy |
| Engine cranks slowly or not at all. Starter makes rapid clicking noise. | Discharged or faulty battery. | Jump-start car or recharge battery. An auto part store can test if for free. |
| Battery, alternator or starter motor cables loose or corroded. | Inspect, clean and tighten cables. | |
| Starter motor or solenoid faulty. | Replace starter assembly. | |
| Fast clicking noise heard when trying to start car. | Recharge and test battery. | |
| Car won’t crank. Interior lights do not illuminate or are dim. | Recharge and test battery. | |
| Battery won’t hold a charge for more than a few days. | Defective battery. | Replace battery. |
| Defective alternator. | Bench test alternator at local parts store. | |
| Accessory belt loose or worn. | Repair or replace belt. | |
| Short circuit draining battery. | Test for parasitic draw with multimeter. | |
| Engine will not crank. | Weak or dead battery. | Charge or replace battery. |
| Corroded or loose battery/alternator terminal connection. | Clean and tighten starter and/or alternator connections. | |
| Accessory belt problem, seized component or worn belt. | Repair stuck or jammed part, replace worn belt. | |
| Faulty starter motor or related circuit(s). | Inspect starting system. Refer to diagnosis and testing procedures in free repair manual. | |
| Engine hydrostatic lock or internal mechanical failure. | Refer to engine diagnosis and testing procedures in free manual. | |
| Engine cranks but will not start. | No spark, no-start condition. | Incorrect spark plug gap, worn plug or bad coil. |
| Camshaft position sensor CMP, crankshaft position sensor CKP or PCM | Test cam and crank sensor. Test PCM. Replace if necessary. | |
| Right bank cam timing incorrect. | Refer to engine timing in repair manual. | |
| Low engine compression. | Test cylinder compression pressure. | |
| Ignition key broken. | Start engine with spare key. | |
| No fuel. | Faulty fuel pump, wiring or relay. Clogged fuel injector. | |
| Water or debris in fuel system. | Flush fuel system, clean fuel tank. |
The most common reasons why a Dodge Durango won’t turn on is a dead battery, loose or corroded cable connections, bad alternator, faulty starter or no fuel or spark.
Test everything before you randomly start replacing parts. Your local auto part store can test components which are most likely to need replacement—free of charge.
Model, Year Application
No start, no-crank information on this page is applicable to the following Dodge Durango three-row mid-size sport utility vehicles produced by Dodge.| Year | Vehicle | Trim | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Dodge Durango | SLT, SLT | 3.9L, 5.2L, 5.9L Magnum |
| 1998 | Dodge Durango | SLT, SLT | 3.9L, 5.2L, 5.9L Magnum |
| 1999 | Dodge Durango | SLT, SLT | 3.9L, 5.2L, 5.9L Magnum |
| 2000 | Dodge Durango | SLT, Sport, SXT, R/T | 3.9L, 5.2L, 5.9L Magnum |
| 2001 | Dodge Durango | SLT, Sport, SXT, R/T | 4.7L, 5.9 L Magnum |
| 2002 | Dodge Durango | SLT, Sport, SXT, R/T | 4.7L, 5.9 L Magnum |
| 2003 | Dodge Durango | SLT, Sport, SXT, R/T, Limited | 4.7L, 5.9 L Magnum |
| 2004 | Dodge Durango | SXT, SLT, Limited | 3.7 L, 4.7 L, 5.7 L Hemi, Magnum |
| 2005 | Dodge Durango | ST, SXT, SLT | 3.7L, 4.7L, 5.7L Hemi, Magnum |
| 2006 | Dodge Durango | ST, SXT, SLT | 3.7L, 4.7L, 5.7L Hemi, Magnum |
I charged my battery yesterday and my car cranks but would not turn over. I took the battery to O’ Reilly today and they used a tester to check its cranking amps. Sure enough my battery was dead. He said if you don’t have a battery tester, and you know it is fully charged, you can jump-start to test it. He said if it fires up right away, the battery needs to be replaced. So I bought a new battery at Advance Auto Parts because O’Reilly was way to expensive.
My Durango starts up but the engine misses when I accelerate. It hesitates and kinda like bogs a little before it can get-up-and-go. I have checked the spark plugs and cables. Nothing wrong with the coil. Any ideas? I walk to and from work now…even in the dang rain 🙁
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