Oldsmobile/Buick Repair: 1999 Dodge Durango - Problems with start up, dodge durango, serpentine belt

Question
Hello,

Problem exists during startup -

Duration - for the past few weeks (sporadic)

Problem - Turn the key, the car turns over and then stops.  To keep the car on, I have to keep 1 foot on the gas and the other foot on the brake.  Once the car has been driven a few minutes, I can drive normal.  The startup issue may show up the next time I shut off the car or 3 days later.

Mechanic - Installed new control motor, serpentine belt & clean throttle body - $345 (The day the mechanic saw the car, diagnostics revealed nothing - the car actually started ok)

The problem still exist.  Any suggestions.  Thanks.

Answer
Hello Janice,
By turns over, I assume you mean it starts and runs, then dies.
Sounds like a Dakota problem I have had occasionally with some of my fleet. If the battery went dead, and I recharged it, without unhooking the battery, it would never idle, until I would disconnect the battery, and after a few seconds reconnect it. Some kind of memory thing.
So first, just try that, and see if it helps.

Then I would probably find the EGR valve, and make sure it is clean. Don't replace it, it is meant to be cleaned.

If those don't do it, I would connect a fuel pressure tester, and see if the pressure is being maintained. Of course with my fleet, I can do that, and keep it connected for a few days so I can track it. But you need to know if the pressure is staying up.

But do the battery first.

Van