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Hi everyone, I finally finished my 05 Durango 4.7 engine swap!:) Just one problem… It wont start!:( So here is what happens, I turn the key to the on position and the R for reverse is lit up even thought its in park, I can cycle through all the gears and it goes into everyone, the weird part is that when you get to Park or Neutral it just skips over it and goes into reverse or drive, so hence the reason its not starting. When I scan it it I get P0700, and P0750. I know its shift selenoid A, but I know that thats not the problem. I honestly didnt disconnect anything from the tranny during the swap not one single wire. I still checked all of my connections and nothing, I jumped my neg battery terminal to the engine in hopes I just had a bad ground to no avail, and the battery isnt weak or anything everything works. I cleared the ECU and nothing. I checked all of my fuses too, Ive never had that code or any problems with the tranny. the fluid was changed 3000 miles ago. Is this some sort of mode its in or what? any ideas are absolutely appreciated and btw the truck was taken apart since halloween, so thats how long it hasnt had power if that makes a diffrence? Thanks!:) Have a great day!
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Well I laid under the truck for 3 hours and found nothing, I checked every connector on the tranny, checked all the wires coming from the tranny, and all the plugs for the computer, fuse box and all that good stuff. I think its in some mode or something where the computer doesn’t want it to start, I can’t seem to find any info on it though, I’ve reset the computer multiple times, and left the battery disconnected all last night, still the same, I don’t know what I should do I’m really stumped on this one. Thanks! Any help is appreciated.
sounds more like an electrical issue than mechanical. other then that, i’m totally stumped on the problem myself : – /
You say you did an engine swap. Was the donor engine identical or from a similar model. Could the computer be detecting something different about the engine that is different from the original. Could this be solved by flashing the ECM/PCM?
I pulled this from another site.
If there is a red dot blinking on the dash.
When the red dot starts to blink it is a sign that the vehicle is not able to read the security chip inside your ignition key. If the vehicle can’t read this ship then it will prevent the engine from starting as part of the vehicle theft deterrent system.
So, now, you may have a problem with your key, in which case you can try another key if you have one OR the problem may be with the wireless control module that is responsible for reading the chip.
More often than not we see problems with the modules rather than the key itself.
Since this is part of the anti theft system any repairs to the vehicle will require programming by your dealer with the uniques PIN code assigned to your particular vehicle.
So, the only thing you can do yourself at this point is to try another working key otherwise you will need to have this repaired by either a certified locksmith or dealer.
Thanks for the reply, I did experience the blinking red light on the dash which is funny cause i was like ive never seen that before, however I only had it come on one time and it was because the pos battery terminal slipped off, I tightened it and the light never came back, The engine came out of an 05 durango same model and everything, with the same vin engine digit, I tried 2 of my 3 keys so far, i will go try the third one just to be sure, I will let you know, Thanks!
just tried the third key no luck, does anyone know if the neutral safety switch is inside the steering column, or on the tranny, I dont see it anywhere, there might not even be a mechanical one since its all electronic? Im going to call a guy I know that is a former Chrysler mechanic and see if he has ever heard of this problem, I just can figure it out cause the only electronics I disconnected were for the engine, like a couple ground wire, coils, injectors, etc. I has to be something with the electronics, you said something about flashing the ecu, what exactly would that do? Thanks! btw i stumbled apon somthing on the odometer, I found that it displays the hours on the engine as well, the one that I took out had 116k and 5781 hours, never had any issues with the infamous 4.7 until it blew the head gasket:(
Do you actually have diagnostic proof that the trans solenoid is not the problem or are you just assuming? The biggest hurdle that every mechanic has to overcome is his own ego
Its not that I don’t believe that isn’t whats causing the problem, I just think that its not the actual solenoid, maybe wiring, or something else, i don’t know, i wish i could find a wiring diagram, I even have the service manual, the 6000 some page one from Chrysler, and I can find any info there either? but thanks for the comment.
I once bumped a solenoid A when changing trans fluid, but luckily for me I was able to take the pan off and remove it, then straighten it in a vice and it worked after that. If it’s a bad solenoid they aren’t usually very expensive. Did you ever have the trans pan off? Those solenoids are fragile. But also, I wouldn’t discount the possibility that there is an air bubble somewhere in the trans fluid that needs to be cleared before you can shift normally.
All that said, I’m wondering about your idea of a neutral safety switch not letting the engine start. If the engine can start, the trans oil pump can help to clear air bubbles that will be present in the trans cooler lines. So, I would pursue the neutral safety idea. If you are confident you can get the vehicle into either park or neutral rather than reverse, it should be safe to bypass the neutral safety switch. I would review a wiring diagram and try and decide whether the neutral safety switch is the cause.
I had the pan off 3000 miles ago, ran fine up to the day when i took the engine out, on halloween of this year so a little over a moth ago, not with the new engine and everything hooked up it physically goes into all gears and shifts fine, however when you put it in Park it says reverse, and when you put it in neutral it just skips over it and goes to drive, i think its some sort of safety/security issue, tried my shop manual, the web, but can find anything, I get the code for P0700 and P0750, but I’ve never got those codes before, so I don’t see why they would just appear all of the sudden, after an engine swap, Thanks for the thought though 🙂
For a wiring diagram go to AutoZone.com. You will have to create a username and password, then go to, “my vehicles”, input your make model and year, then go to “repair help”, then “repair guides.” Top of the list you will see,”wiring diagram,” click on that then look in the left column for the diagram you need. Hopefully they have what you need. Good luck.
Ok, thanks I will check that out, as for my Chrysler mechanic, I was unable to get a hold of him today
Here is another place to access wiring diagrams –
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