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JLank

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Hello -

I have a 2000 Dodge Durango SLT with the V8 Magnum 5.9 engine. The engine idle is fluctuating where it will run high, and then drop. If the throttle is pumped quickly, then engine is responsive enough to rev up quick, but the idle speed may take several seconds to drop. It will even rev up and down on its own. There is no MIL code being thrown. The engine idle itself is smooth, despite the variation in idle speed - no roughness.

Can someone point me in the right direction to troubleshoot?

Thanks!
James
 
Discussion starter · #3 ·
I haven't. This is a very clean vehicle so I didn't think to check that. By throttle body, are you talking about the orifice under the air intake cover - the part with the butterfly valve?
 
#4 ·
The metering port for the idle air solenoid gets dirty and needs to be cleaned. Yes it's in the throttle body under the air cleaner. Sometimes the solenoid itself has to be replaced.
 
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#6 ·
once upon a time I wrote up my lazy IAC cleaning procedure, but I have no idea where in here it is.

so I'll try to recreate it:

On a 5.9, when you take the air hat off, you can see the idle air port .. IIRC it is kind of a well, toward the rear, back of the throttle bores..

with the engine running, start spraying FI cleaner into the idle port.. gently.. the engine will try to stall, but it should readjust itself.. spray gently for maybe ten seconds, then spray full blast.. the engine will stall. Keep spraying to a couple seconds, then go shut off the ignition and let the vehicle sit for half an hour.

When you restart, it will not be happy.. you will probably have to feather the throttle a bit to get it to start and stay running.. but it should settle down..

this may not clean things up enough, but usually it does.. worth a try before you start taking things apart..
 
Discussion starter · #7 ·
Can you use regular carb cleaner, or should it be FI cleaner? If the latter, where can you buy spray FI cleaner? I've only seen the FI cleaner bottles made for dumping into fuel tanks. I suppose I could dump some in a spray bottle if I needed to?
 
Discussion starter · #9 ·
Finally reconnected on this - had been helping my dad work on some other auto-work so I figured it was just as good a day as any as the day was beautiful. He doesn't drive it very often so that's why I had yet to follow-up. I followed your instructions this past weekend and it seems to have corrected the alternating high/low idling conditions. I appreciate the detailed instructions. Thanks!
 
#11 ·
thanks for the follow-up(s)
 
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#12 ·
After replacing spark plugs and having the injectors cleaned, I seem to be having the same idling issue with a 2002 4.7 Durango. It fluctuates up and down by itself. It runs fine when accelerating or just plain cruising down the road, but when I come to a redlight, it has idling issues. It will occasionally die because of the fluctuating idle. Is it the same fix with the 4.7?
 
Discussion starter · #16 ·
No.......there isn't a check engine light on. I've cleaned the IAC port on two different occasions per Tom's instructions and it seems to help awhile, but then it'll eventually start doing it again to some degree. Now it seems to occur more while driving than idling.
 
#17 ·
Typically with the 4.7L its the TPS sensor that causes idle issues more so than the IAC.
Both can be checked with a voltmeter for proper operation.

Another clue to a bad TPS is with the cruise set at say 60 mph on a level highway, the rpm's will vary up and down while maintaining the set 60mph speed.
 
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