I have a 2009 Dodge Durango Hybrid - 5.7 Hybrid 2-stage Hemi.

I have had 2 incidents where the Durango shocked me. Both happened in a smiliar manner - the dealer claims they can't help unless they can duplicate it.

As I was stepping off of the brake, getting ready to pull out of a parking lot, the Hemi kicked in and the car LUNGED hard, 3 times before I pressed hard on the accelerator which fully engaged the Hemi and the car returned to normal.

The second incident happened in a similar manner - in the McDonald's Drive Thru - Just as I was taking my foot off the brake, the Hemi kicked in adn the car lunged HARD one time, and then the car died. All the idiot lights came on, and I could not get the car to go back into READY mode. I tried repeatedly to no avail. After pushing the car to a parking spot and getting a sandwich... about 30 minutes later, I got back in the car and turned the key - and the READY light came on... all systems normal.

The car has been running fine for the past several days now.

The dealer told me that there is nothing they can do unless the check engine is still on. Without testing anything, they told me that there would not be any stored codes, and to ignore it unless it happens again.

Any help out there ????
Thanks!

 

If it is the "Joint Venture" 2 Mode system... the following computers, hybrid, motors, battery pack, and transmission can and will log codes and keep them in memory until cleared.

By govt regulations there should be codes available in the engine controller too.

You could try to go to a big chain auto parts store where they can run the On Board Diagnostics OBD scan tool. If codes pop up write them down and find a more responsive dealer.

These things just don't quit without some evidence. As long as you don't discharge the 12V battery or disconect it... the memory in the controllers should have something.

 

It is, indeed, the 'joint venture' 2-mode hybrid system developed with GM (and later abandoned by Chrysler.... I'll take your advice and go to an Auto Parts store and obtain the codes. Thanks for the advice, Hillbilly !

 

Good luck and hunting. I may have started at K-Mart and worked up through dealerships and bayond, but I have never been satisfied by lazieness or incompetence.

 

Well - I went to AutoZone and they hooked up the code reader... and lo an behold... "no codes present." Dang. Any other thoughts?

 

Two days ago - it lunged a couple of times - nearly stalled - and the check engine light came on. It stayed on for a few hours... then went off. Later in the day, the 'Check Hybrid System" light came on for about 5 minutes then went off. I ran over to the auto parts store and obtained one code: P0BBD = "Hybrid Battery Pack Voltage Variation Exceeded Limit." I'm thinking this has to do with the hybrid light...but still not with the lunging. Does this code help diagnose what's actually going on ?

 

The HV battery pack has multiple modules. The diagnostic setting is from them having too much varriation between the highest and lowest. The dealer should be able to use a scan tool to look at ALL the module voltages and see which ones may be low. Driving in engine off at about 10 mph and slowly increasing the gas pedal until the engine trys to start is a good test with the scan tool hooked up to find weak ones.

Since the pack is series wired, any bad module can take the whole pack down.

NOTE: if the pack is damaged, the above manuvre will cause lurches and or stall.

 

OK - so the dealer has had my Durango for about a week...and they were able to replicate the problem. They have been working with Chrysler Engineering to determine what is causing the problem... They still don't really know... but Chrysler is supposedly sending a new battery to the dealer... but the dealer is not sure who is paying for this battery. According to the service advisor the part alone is $8,500.00... yes you are reading that correctly... and is not covered by my Chrysler Service Contract (the basic warranty has expired)... even though the car only has 16,000 miles on it... it's over 3 years old now.

I am NOT paying for this battery and am hoping that Chrysler is going to cover it... because the dealer certainly isn't going to pay for it... although they probably ought to.

So - if it TRULY is the battery pack... do I have any other option than paying the dealer $8,500.00 for a new battery ???? I think that's OUTRAGEOUS.

Any help out there, Hillbilly Hybrid ?

 

Was wondering what ever happend with your '09 Durango? Did replacing the hybrid battery resolve this issue? Who paid for the battery? Have you had any more problems with the vehicle?

 

Having the same problem and even the people at dodge in MI can't seem to get a fix. A computer disc was sent to reprogram the battery and it died on me again. This has been a problem for years on my car and can't get it fixed. If anyone comes up with a solution send me a message so we could all get it fixed. Thank you