I am having similar issues as posted in this thread. I do know that I was overheating a couple of weeks ago when we were driving to OBX. Traffic was horrible and the temps were near 100. As we sat waiting to cross the bridge my temp gauge just kept creeping up. I had to use the defrosters to keep it down some. Once traffic started moving again, everything was fine, except for us who were sweating to death!
I just had my a/c repaired and charged so I know this should not have been a factor but yet I was still getting warm air when at a stop or moving very slowly. Very frustrating after spending a few hundred dollars and being 300 miles away from home.
So I have come here to see what I can find and I found this thread, but I also looked at All Data to see what I could find. I found a TSB that states about a revised fan shroud, fan & fan drive. Here is the TSB:
NUMBER: 07-03-99
GROUP: Cooling
DATE: Nov. 5, 1999
THIS BULLETIN SUPERSEDES TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN 07-07-98, DATED NOV. 27, 1998, WHICH SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM YOUR FILES AND NOTED IN THE 1998 TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN MANUAL (PUBLICATION NO. 81-699-99003). ALL REVISIONS ARE HIGHLIGHTED WITH **ASTERISKS** AND INCLUDE CHANGES TO PART NUMBERS, CHANGES TO THE PROCEDURE, AND CHANGES TO THE TIME ALLOTTED TO PERFORM THE REPAIR.
SUBJECT:
Engine Overheats In High Ambient Temperatures
OVERVIEW:
This bulletin involves installing a revised fan, fan drive, and fan shroud.
MODELS:
1998 - 1999 (DN) Durango
SYMPTOM/CONDITION:
Some Durangos may experience a high engine temperature condition (temperatures greater than 116°C. (240°F.)) when the vehicle is operated in stop-and-go traffic with ambient temperatures exceeding 32°C (90°F). The result from the high engine temperature may cause the following:
^ Engine Temperature Gauge To Read Higher Than Normal
^ Check Gauge Lamp To Illuminate
^ Warning Chime To Sound
^ Vehicles Equipped With Air Conditioning May Have The A/C System Disabled
NOTE :THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) IS DESIGNED TO DISABLE THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM WHEN ENGINE TEMPERATURES EXCEED A PREDETERMINED VALUE AND/OR THE A/C HIGH SIDE PRESSURE EXCEEDS 470 P.S.I. +/- 20 P.S.I.. THIS IS A NORMAL CONDITION DESIGNED TO PROTECT THE ENGINE FROM OVERHEATING AND FROM DAMAGING THE AIC COMPRESSOR. ONCE THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE AND/OR A/C HIGH SIDE PRESSURE HAS LOWERED, THE PCM WILL TURN THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM ON.
DIAGNOSIS:
1. Examine the vehicle's cooling system for proper operation. The DRB III can be used to ensure that the engine temperature does not exceed 99°C (210°F) during normal operating conditions. If the engine temperature exceeds 99°C (210°F) during normal operating conditions, the cooling system must be inspected and repaired. Refer to the 1999 Durango Service Manual (Publication No. 81-370-9116), pages 7-9 through 7-20 for information regarding Cooling System Diagnosis And Testing.
NOTE :THIS BULLETIN ADDRESSES ENGINE OVERHEAT CONDITIONS THAT OCCURS ONLY IN STOP-AND-GO TRAFFIC WITH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES EXCEEDING 32aC (90°F).
2. If the vehicle's cooling system is operating normally and the customer identities that the vehicle exhibited the previously stated SYMPTOM/CONDITION, perform the Repair Procedure.
PARTS REQUIRED:
1 52027709 Fan, Cooling
1 52029767AA Drive, Fan
AR (1) **52029012AD** Shroud, Fan, Four Wheel Drive
AR (1) **52028614AC** Shroud, Fan, Two Wheel Drive
POLICY: Reimbursable within the provisions of the warranty.
TIME ALLOWANCE:
Labor Operation No: 07-20-01-94 **0.5 Hrs.**
I will check my e-fan first and then see what happens. But I wonder if this TSB is the cause of my problems. This has been an extremely hot summer for us, we don't usually have really high temps for extended periods of time. So my a/c doesn't usually get that kind of workout. Plus, we work 12 hour shifts, go in when it is cooler & come home when it is cooler, usually.
Well good luck to all of those who are having problems too. Hopefully one of the solutions listed fixes what ails your D.