Sounds as though the solinoid on your starter has gotten stuck. I would suggest removal and replacement unless you are capable of removing and cleaning the contacts of the old solinoid.
A 1998 is a first generation Durango. As long as it is a standard model anything up to 2003 should fit. **NOTE** The second generation model was brought in for 2003/2004 so make sure any parts are Not for the newer Second generation model. Keep all your parts to models from 2002 or earlier and they should fit.
Check your battery voltage. Get a multimeter. Turn it to the VDC setting. This is volts for batteries which use direct current. Put the red (Positive) wire of the multimeter on the red battery cable. Do the same for the black (Negative) wire. You should have about 12-13 plus volts. If you can turn the vehicle on do the same thing after it's started. The alternator should be charging it at that time and you should get about 13.5 - 14 plus volts. If not, you probably have a bad alternator. If so and battery had low voltage before you probably have a bad batter. An auto parts store can check it for you. If these are both good you may have a bad starter.
The only thing it could be is the conrtol wire of the A/C compressor clutch relay is shorted to one of the wires grounding at the alternator . The PCM - engine computer controls the grounding for the A/C compressor clutch relay. Find the A/C compressor clutch relay in the under hood fuse box , pull the relay out of the fuse box an look on the bottom . You will see four sets of numbers . 30 & 87 plus 85 & 86 . Take an ohm meter an check pin 85 to ground with the ground wire's behide the alternator connected , you will have continuity . Disconnect the ground behind the alternator an you will probably have a open circuit . When the motor was changed wire's were pinched or something . Most likely . Here , check out the wiring diagram http://www.bbbind.com/free_tsb.html Enter vehicle info. year , make , model an engine size . Under system click on HVAC , then under subsystem click on HVAC controls . Click the search button ,then the blue link . Fourth diagram down is for the A/C compressor clutch relay circuit. Don't know if know how a computer controlled relay circuit work's . Looking at the diagram .The DB/OR - dark blue with orange trace wire would have to be shorted to one of those ground wire's for the compressor clutch to stay engaged .
Check the motor brushes for contact - if worn motor will not run. Meanwhile you might want to check schematic. On some cars the lower speeds of motor go through the ignition switch. The high speed is direct so if unit does not work on lower speeds it is the ignition switch at fault.
There is a way you can scan the computer/electrical system without having a high dollar scanner or having to pay a garage to pull the codes up for you.
When you put the key into the ignition , do not start the vehicle. What you need to do is to turn the key on and then off. Do this 3 times without starting the vehicle. When you turn it on the 3rd time , leave the key on . After you leave the key on for the 3rd time if you have a digital odometer it will display a code such as P1470. After all codes are displayed you can look them up online. If you havea mechanical odometer you will have to count the number of flashes the check engine light flashes. You can look it up online how to count the short and long flashes to determine the code. Codes can be pulled like this only on Dodge's.
Good luck.
If the vehicle is stock, then the answer is no.
But, you can purchase and have installed a remote start system that allows you to start the vehicle from a FOB remote key, like keyless entry. But you would still have to insert the key and turn the ignition on to drive the vehicle.
Hello Jeff Winner,
Over the last 20 years ... cars have has a LIMITED OPERATION FEATURE added... When the engine READS something that is not IMMEDIATELY catastrophic... it will allow you to
LIMP home... rather than a complete shut down.
Limp mode:
You SHOULD also have a CHECK ENGINE light... (?)
My best advice is to limp on down to your near-by FREE code reading shop... and have a READER tell you what CODES are registered...
A blocked exhaust system will also seriously SLOW your progress
((soon to stop all-together)).
Hope this helps
Check you exhaust prices BEFORE you go...!!
http://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/dodge,1998,durango,5.9l+v8,1314473,exhaust1998 DODGE DURANGO 5 9L V8 Catalytic Converter RockAuto1998 DODGE DURANGO 5 9L V8 Muffler RockAuto
You may have an issue with a gummed up throttle control valve and the air bypass idle speed control valve, clean them with a product called "CRC" Throttle valve spray cleaner, do not use any other type of cleaner, the inside of both components is coated and other cleaners will damage that coating.. After cleaning both parts disconnect the negative battery cable for 5 minutes and then drive the vehicle at least 20 miles of varied types of driving so the system can relearn idle speed control strategy. Any auto parts store has the cleaner made by CRC products
