Common Problems with the 2000 Dodge Durango - 4.7L V8 Magnum

[@TheNinjaKnight1]

Hey brother, When you get the 1st gen Durango, task number one is to replace all, and I do mean ALL, of the sensors. Second thing is to drain the transmission fluid, change the filter for the transmission (both of them) and refill it. Next, swap the water pump and thermostat and check the radiator. Last thing, swap all the fuses and the battery. For the battery, make sure you are using a 750CCA battery, anything less with cause many of the sensors to have low voltage and not function. Do these things and all should run like a dream.

[@secondhandspeed]

Thanks for the advice. I’ll do this to keep this beast driving for the next thousands of miles

[@TheNinjaKnight1]

@@secondhandspeed By the way, if you really want to do it up you can always go for the upgraded 4.7L V8 or do a full Hemi Swap. You can even consider doing a Hurricane Swap when that crate engine becomes available.

[@jimr7731]

My 2000 Dakota had a plugged radiator, that I blamed on not using distilled water when I changed coolant. New radiator and it was solid. Also had a transmission that didn’t like to shift into gear, and if pulling a load, would often go into limp mode. Finally did a fluid and filter change, and found the filter wasn’t seated fully into the transmission. Bolt in the back was in place, but filter without a good seal would allow air into the oil, and likely was foaming the oil badly. New filter and oil, and it has ran solid ever since. Saved me from buying a $500 transmission shift body I didn’t need.

[@secondhandspeed]

Thanks for sharing your story! I'll change the filter and fluid to see how it'll affect the tranny

[@gscgold]

Confirm throttle body position sensor was a problem on mine soon as I changed it it ran so much better

[@nonstophorizon]

Man, I've never seen the 4.7l. Mine has the common 5.2, but all the issues tend to be the same or similar. I like some of the setup of that smaller engine. No matter, I believe a car is only as good as the person that maintains it. I am always far more impressed with someone rolling around in an old vehicle they keep fixed up than someone rolling around in a new car that they're in debt over. Love my 2000 Durango. Was my mom's but when she decided to sell it, I swooped in and bought it because I couldn't stand to see it go. I'm not a Dodge person, but I'm not a "brand" idiot either. Love this thing and all the work I have to do. My surprise was when I changed the timing chain and how stretched it was a 200,000 miles. Glad something told me to fix that. My next project is going to be ford focus hatchback. I don't know why, but i love those cars. Doesn't even need to be an RS, though I prefer a manual over an automatic any day. If you get a 2014 ish focus on your hands, I can't wait to see your video on that. I've had an older focus that I drove until about 320,000 miles and sold it and it's one of the few cars I miss (I also miss my 2 door 1990 Toyota Tercel manual transmission that I sold off in 2014).

[@secondhandspeed]

This Durango still runs fine. I have two more project cars. An old 95 civic coupe manuals, 91 Toyota MR2 turbo and recently a 87 Jeep wrangler. When I find a Ford focus I’ll review and record that too

[@Ethan-jh4gj]

Haha that’s funny you say that … because I’ve seen the 4.7’s and the 5.9’s a lot but I’ve only seen like one 5.2 Durango ….. I actually used to own a 2001 5.9 and just got my hands on a 2002 4.7 .

[@christinamoneyhan5688]

The truck is 23 years old and you bought it with 200,000 miles on it. What do you expect. You have not any idea how this truck was treated or serviced. Just fix the issues and stop getting down on the vehicle. All vehicles have issues new or old. It looks like it is in good condition and just needs some love put into it. Good luck.

[@secondhandspeed]

Used vehicles will always have some issues but got to fix them one at a time

[@kenjett2434]

Hi I have a 2003 Dodge Dakota 4.7 Magnum with 271,000 miles and I really haven't had any of the issues mentioned except the cold nature of transmission in cold weather. That's just a Dodge for they are all like that but they will run for years long as you do reasonable maintenance. It's true they are susceptible to over heating but routine maintenance of thermostat and regular checking of antifreeze level and of course always keep eye for signs of a water pump leaking and failing. This will prevent any over heating issues that they can have. I generally get my coolant changed about every 4 years and a new thermostat. Because they have aluminum heads with pressed in valve seats if they get to hot the seats can come loose and do all kinds of bad things. This is why these engines get so bad a rap is lack of maintenance and sometimes using these trucks like they are big full size and they wasn't made to do that. Hope this helps someone get more out of their Dodge.

[@secondhandspeed]

Thanks for the info. The valve seats is something new I learned about. Makes sense how overheating can cause the valve seats to slip or fail.

[@Thundarr995]

The 4.7 Chrysler V8 is one engine you don't wanna overheat. They are prone to dropping valve seats. My brother has a 2000 5.9 Durango. It's got the same shift selector issue. It's got some really strange electrical issues. Airbag light is on and the TCC (torque converter clutch) won't lock up unless the stereo is on.😂 seriously 😂 If the headlights are on,the left blinker blinks twice as fast as the right one. 😂 Oh yeah,the overdrive button on the shift lever doesn't work, so you can't turn the overdrive off. (Good thing he doesn't tow anything with it). If you don't know how to fix cars,don't buy one of these, or if you don't have much $$ because they get horrific mpg. His gets 11- 12 around town and about 16,maybe 17 freeway on flat ground with the cruise control on and with 60psi in the tires.😂 BTW it's got a brand new engine. And the driver seat track is broken,very annoying. In fact every one I've found in the wrecking yards are broken too. Seat slides back and forth about an inch freely. I cut a 2x6 board jammed it between the back of the seat and the front lower portion of the back seat. Then I powered the drivers seat back until it stopped sliding back and forth. Other than that it's a good vehicle. Oh yeah, forgot to mention the leaky loose rack & pinion. It looks really nice, the paint and interior looks really good considering it's 23 yo. For a vehicle that doesn't even have 200k miles on it,it's got alot of problems. $$ pit.

[@clarda1]

Your gear indicator issues and your trans issues are probably related. When all the gears are blocked like that your transmission control module is not sending proper information. The Durango’s that had common transmission issues were the 5.2 & 5.9. Completely different transmission in the 4.7. Usually they go 250-300k without transmission issues. Might want to look at the TCM if your getting a engine light.

[@secondhandspeed]

Thanks for the tip. I want to replace the shift solenoid and filter but I am afraid that it will cause more problems. The check engine light is due to the shift solenoid and gas cap/evaporate related

[@waterloo123100]

@@secondhandspeedif you don’t replace the filter it will plug up and burn your transmission up. You literally can’t hurt by servicing it. But you will if your never do anything about it

[@secondhandspeed]

@@waterloo123100 I plan on getting all the sensors and filters and gaskets and service the tranny soon. I’ll make a video of the process, before and after

[@lawrencetickle2706]

For the shift selector issue, I ran a ground wire straight from the negative to the alternator ground and problem went away. My TPS went bad after that 😂

[@secondhandspeed]

That may work for me too.

[@VanquishedNinja]

I have owned 3 Durangos, 2 1st gens and 1 2nd gen. The 1st gens were beasts. The only issue I really had was the heater core plugged up on both of them. With a good set of tires the 4x4 was almost unstoppable. The 2nd gen was a different story. It was the only one with the 4.7. Bad tps's, bad crank sensors, bad abs control modules, bad heater blower resisters. Not to forget the collapsed lifters.

[@secondhandspeed]

I thought about getting a gen 2 Durango but can’t let go of the original Durango

[@christianbrown9396]

Some talk trash on the 4.7 but it is way better then the 5.2 or 5.9 the 5.9 didn't start out preforming the 4.7 untill 2010. I have had 6 first gen durangos. Crashed my first one second was a lemon 3rd was built up to be off road sold it the guy crashed it in 18 hours after I sold it to him. 4rth was amazing, no problem ever except the water pump cracked. Easy fix. The 5th was trash had it for a month the 6th I still have. And yhe only issue I have it when I go.from drive to reverse back to drive back to reverse ( for parking and reparking if I'm not straight or to close to another car) I start to hear a grind and a click or clank noise. Idk why so if anyone does plz let me know. But from my experience, the sxt is the best trim. Every SLT has had major problems. But every SXT was minor problems. I also have a 2021 srt Durango

[@fsb_-bf3th]

5.9 wasn’t used in the 2010….

[@wadet73]

My family has had my 2001 Durango since 2006. It was my moms last vehicle and It has the 4.7 v8. 184k miles. my common problem is the ignition switch behind the key tumbler lock. this problem presents when you raise or lower the tilt steering, the dash lights, hvac blower would stop. This was remedied by installing a new Dorman ignition switch. I have replaced the engine because the old one ran hot and we found out it did have a blown head gasket at 174Kmiles so i had a crate engine installed to take care of all the things i was about to do (timing chain and guides, lifters and any other higher mileage repairs that it needed were fixed with a new engine. I also have my dads 2003 Dakota with the same engine and it had 235k miles and its' still on the original transmission and engine. still runs pretty good but its smoking a lot these days. I'll have that engine replaced soon as well. I'll keep these old trucks going til I can't . thanks for the quick tips and ideas.

[@secondhandspeed]

Not a problem! Glad to Hear your trucks running good. I need to refreshen something like brakes and some Suspension components but still runs like a beast.

[@wadet73]

@@secondhandspeed that's awesome

[@sourdruid1]

Yep changed my crank sensor twice within 2 years. Ridiculous to have your vehicle randomly shut off while driving💀

[@secondhandspeed]

At least you knew what it was. Some just scrap the car

[@michaelmalone6858]

Trans issue, next time you start it put it in nutral for a minuite, Full flow to the converter isnt happening in park.

[@secondhandspeed]

Thanks for the tip! I tried your idea and it really did help get things moving. I put it in neutral after start up and I give it a couple of Revs and it really helped it engage faster!

[@rickgeller2751]

Valve seats dropping into the cylinder wreaking major carnage is another issue these motors are famous for. $3300. is the price for a replacement motor. 👍

[@secondhandspeed]

Thanks for letting me know. Hopefully I won’t have that issue

[@angeleslambert2675]

Loved ur video!! Thank you!!

[@dustinmeyer5644]

208000 and I've only had tps sensor and suspension problems. I love my dirty rango

[@secondhandspeed]

Currently fixing my suspension and wheel bearings. Once that’s done it’ll be good as new again.

[@MICHAELHARO]

Yes i do have a problems. lol. I almost froze to death driving through Utah in -32 degrees. My heating was working but not coming out of my vents...very little. I could barley feel the heat. I cant figure out why. My check engine light comes on every other two weeks. It said my plugs I changed them and wires and 7 or 8 months later The check engine comes back on, then after a couple of days it goes out and 2 or 3 weeks later back on again. I thought maybe I gave a jump to someone and i had my engine running and it caused some kind of electrical problem or surge. Wont do that again! Also the Transmission doesnt change gears to 3rd or 4th until it warms up. I some times have change my gears manually while driving cause the rpm's get to high and shift down to neutral then back up and then it kicks in! lol I need some free help! lol

[@drewfava6455]

I just changed my map sensor yesterday on my 01

[@drewfava6455]

It was 90 bucks at O'Rileys

[@secondhandspeed]

Does it run better now?

[@drewfava6455]

Yeah it ran before, it would just stall out sometimes because the gas wasent being regulated correctly. Now it's fine tho since I replaced the map sensor no check engine lights nothing.

[@TrevorPost-sv4rb]

Chrysler should check what they have their wire coating for their wire. Harnesses really made up if they find out what they're made of Then they can figure out what kind of Mess you'll have when you Check your wires. When I checked my Durango, the wires were chewed up like crazy so unless they just enjoyed chewing on wire coating. Or there's something that's in The Wire coating that they like. Maybe that could be changed.Maybe it already has been I don't know

[@taylor2319]

I have 2000 with the same specs the transmission is perfect

[@mikebarbee2217]

I just bought a 1998 with 5.2 engine. A little rust in body, a lot more underneath. 114,000 miles. Engine Runs like a new car. Transmission shifts perfect! Upshift, downshift, absolutely shifts smooth. My question is...with 114,000 miles and not knowing the service history, would it be safe to change transmission fluid and filter? By the way the interior is like new from top to bottom, so someone at least babied the inside.

[@jimmyh1817]

Absolutely yes, change the tranny fluid and BOTH tranny fluid filters. I bought my 4.7L Durango at 166k. Tranny fluid had never been changed, so I had that done immediately. I do it every 30k. Now at 259k. No problems. Read the manual.

[@timcollins2255]

Transmission Ever Been Serviced? Every 30,000 to 40,000 miles?

[@secondhandspeed]

Im not quite sure since I bought this truck with 207k miles.

[@jimmyh1817]

I have a 2001 with 4.7L. I change get the transmission oil and BOTH filters changed every 30k, per "Schedule B" in the owners manual. Transmission is still working great. 259k now.

[@user-ik2ll3fd4s]

THOSE DODGE DURANGOS ARE GREAT MINE HAS 400,8000 MILES AND STILL GOING FIRM

[@user-nu6cg9cb2e]

How many miles or kms are on this vehicle?

[@secondhandspeed]

Currently has 230k miles on it. Bought it with 207k miles

[@initialb5009]

are these things really sore on fuel ? like im getting 11.2 mpg from my jeep cherokee with the same engine, my rear brake calliper is siezed though , so that wont be helping.

[@secondhandspeed]

Sounds about right. Mine stuck in 3th gear gets about 12 mpg. I’ll swap out the shift solenoid and see what happens

[@justincase4812]

"because it's a Chrysler product" 🤣 Yep

[@user-bx9pw1jg7u]

My Durango doesn't stay in overdrive

[@user-ti5so8eg8v]

Ik how to fix the trans problem

[@yeeyee_rockstardavid_yeeye7746]

Hey sorry I have a question so I have a 2000 dodge durango and I have this problem where it will idle right in gear but if I put it in gear it will die what will that be

[@secondhandspeed]

Does it idle fine when its in park or neutral? If it dies out when in Drive or Reverse then it could be an issue where a sensor is not giving it proper air of fuel when under load or the tranny is locking up.

[@heatherbressette6275]

Hi, great info! Had a question I had my battery changed and drove it a couple days and it stalled so I checked the battery and noticed one terminal came off the battery and the acid came out of the top so I got another battery. The next day I started it and took off fast because a car was driving fast behind me anyhow when I got to the top of the street It felt like it had a slight shake when I was stopped. I hit the gas and it didn't have the power it usually had. I brought it to auto zone for a diagnostic and it came up I needed a purge valve (2 hoses and an electrical plug) which was right on top closest to the windshield. It didn't fix the issue and the code reads the same issue. When i start it there's no problem when I put it into drive it shakes and when I hit the gas it drags reverse shakes worse. I heard you talk about the throttle position part and was wondering if you thought it may be that? I'm just curious if you have a suggestion. Check engine light has never come on. It ran great prior to all this. It's a 99 Durango 8 cly 5.2 I'm going crazy Thanks in advance for any type of suggestions.

[@johnnewton2718]

Over drive is your issue. Get your dash working right or get new one. I got a working dash and overdrive worked after.

[@secondhandspeed]

Thanks will give this a look

[@Jbe_theName420]

Why this video when I currently own a 01 dodge Dakota with the same v8 4.7l.😮 is it that my data was used in such a way to as to seem like my phone is spying on me and someone or maybe lots of people know of me my life and everything I get involved with ? Because I began to get attached to my truck although it currently has a code p1294 or something like that for the IAC valve. Truck gets up and running but I have the same issues, transmission feeling like it's stuck in second gear at times, I just don't get a lot of smooth shifting. I think my truck goes fast but it really sounds like it only unless I'm on the highway then it feels good. But again, I have the same current electric problems, sometimes no radio. Yup,it also has 337k miles so that's really telling you something, like I know how to care for one of these trucks😅😅😅😅😅

[@bannan21]

😂 I wish you made this 6 years ago I would have saved 600 bucks

[@secondhandspeed]

Well I now need ball joints wheel bearing and other maintenance things. Still a beast of a truck

[@chevy2067]

First aguevo papi yatusabe

[@legomanTJ]

That was not the crank position sensor, that was the block heater lmao

[@sourdruid1]

The sensor is right there. The same spot on my 03 durango.

[@CH-dk8cs]

Mines surges and then dies when you come to a stop

[@jimmyh1817]

Change the following sensors: Throttle Position Sensor (TPS) and Idle Air Control valve (IAC valve). They are cheap and easy to access.

[@jkline999]

PCM. It will go, it's right next to the engine.

[@Kelly-ny5qy]

❤ good jobby job in the video humanitarians Rock the toy box and like the RV BLM will never die hold your head up😂

[@aaronjones9126]

4.7 magnum was always trash.

[@neavo8421]

not even close to being an accurate statement. This guys got a lemon for sure, but my durango with a 4.7 is older than his and I take it offroading twice a week and have for years. Only real issue is the 22 year old drive front drive shaft kicked it, which was due to the stress I was putting on it and it still got me home. Ive got a 23 year old dakota with a 4.7 which was my first offroad vehicle and is the reason I bought the durango - because of how reliable it is. 23 and 22 years old and still holding up to insane levels of stress. I can take them anywhere. Original Transmissions and xfer cases. 4.7 is the way to go. Very reliable.

[@chevydmax237]

Wrong i got 250k miles

[@secondhandspeed]

My rango is still running great even with some issues. I got a list of parts ready to replace on the old girl but I always replace the engine oil on time since that’s what’s keep this thing alive.

[@jimmyh1817]

I have 259k on my 4.7L and the thing still runs great. I have replaced the TPS and IAC valve, plus cleaned the throttle body. The TPS will physically wear out, affecting both the engine (random stalling, even weirdly causing MAP sensor error codes) and the transmission shift points (can even weirdly cause torque converter error codes). I firmly believe that the TPS should be replaced every 100k. They were easy to do myself. Soon will replace the thermostat and water pump, for purpose of preventative maintenance. Want to replace the timing chain soon, to be safe. I get the transmission oil and BOTH of its filters changed every 30k. I have 4WD, 31x10.5R15 tires, and the 2" torsion/shackle lift (only cost me $60!), which I lowered to 1.5" lift because I was scraping the longer shackles on rocks. Took the thing over Imogene Pass in Colorado (look it up!) a couple years ago. I often take scenic drives on dirt mountain trails to hiking and camping locations here in Arizona. Also have the Rancho RS9000XL adjustable-valving shocks (9 setting positions). I recommend setting "5" or higher. Just yesterday (Memorial Day), I took my 75-year-old elderly neighbor (who can barely walk) over Four Peaks (GPS 33.7211, -111.3376) and down the back side. Check out "terrain" view on Google Maps. The ride was smooth enough for him. He loved it.

[@edwards8891]

Map sensor sucks to change a little.. specialty screws and hard to get to.

[@davidrogers5180]

Ok for overheating..... Run a hotwire from your fuse box inside to the green wire on your electric fan... That's the problem the sensor don't kick on the electric fan so it'll overheat the thermostatic takes care of the motor heat so you'll always have heat to the heater core... Now on my 04 Dakota 4.7 the bank 1 1 and 2 (drivers side is not getting power to the o 2 sensors I put bran new ones in no good still found out there is a ground that goes to passenger side fender well from regulatory for O2 sensors gonna add a ground from that ground to motor or battery will update you on that... Also the rear shackles suck on dodge trucks suck they break often. So remedy... Scissor jack with holes on side grinder cut pieces of the c channel install on outside of spring 2 bolts on each... Will squeek but not break got pictures can text me. 412 409 1105. Bungee