# Cranks but wont start

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/cranks-but-wont-start/127968>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Created:** [November 1, 2018, 9:27am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/cranks-but-wont-start/127968 "2018-11-01T09:27:34Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Dark.hawk1996\_144009](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Dark.hawk1996\_144009](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Dark.hawk1996_144009)\
**Post date:** [November 1, 2018, 9:27am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/cranks-but-wont-start/127968/1 "2018-11-01T09:27:34Z")

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When i hold the key in the start position and press the gas the engine revs, as soon as i let off the key or let off the gas it dies. I have a new battery, it was running great then it all of a sudden did this. Could it be the alternator or a sparkplug/wire?. Its a 1999 dodge Durango with only 102 thousand miles on it

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**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\
**Post date:** [November 1, 2018, 2:52pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/cranks-but-wont-start/127968/2 "2018-11-01T14:52:23Z")

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> [@Dark.hawk1996\_144009](#):
>
> Could it be the alternator or a sparkplug/wire

No. Possibly a bad idle air valve. Is the check engine light on? For how long? What are the codes stored?

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**Author:** ![TwinTurbo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8baadc/32.png) [@TwinTurbo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/TwinTurbo)\
**Post date:** [November 1, 2018, 4:24pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/cranks-but-wont-start/127968/3 "2018-11-01T16:24:28Z")

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Or perhaps a failing ignition switch. Do all of the dash indicators come on when you turn the key to RUN but not all the way to START?

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**Author:** ![Dark.hawk1996\_144009](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Dark.hawk1996\_144009](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Dark.hawk1996_144009)\
**Post date:** [November 1, 2018, 5:16pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/cranks-but-wont-start/127968/4 "2018-11-01T17:16:53Z")

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Yes they do

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**Author:** ![TwinTurbo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8baadc/32.png) [@TwinTurbo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/TwinTurbo)\
**Post date:** [November 1, 2018, 5:38pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/cranks-but-wont-start/127968/5 "2018-11-01T17:38:04Z")

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Then I would lean toward Mustangman’s suggestions. IAC, MAF. Check for stored codes. Since it won’t run so you can go to a place to read the codes, you’ll need a reader. Most auto parts stores have fairly inexpensive readers.