My friend has a 2000 with the 4 cyl (not sure which 4 cyl) and his has about 83,000 miles. One day it would not start so he figured it was his starter so bought a starter and had someone install it in hsi driveway. Well, still would not start. He then bought a new battery and it starts now, but the RPMs surge and the car backfires and the RPMS are uncontrollable. I did a code scan and found a P1299 code. I think that means vaccuum leak, but i have no idea what to start with. I have no experaince working on dodge engines. Please help...what could this kid have done in replacing a starter to cause this?

well first off you should check for vacuum leaks as you said. its a code that sets because throttle position, map reading and engine rpm dont match. listen for sucking noise and check intake gasket, brake booster check valve and hose, and any vacuum lines you see. you can use carb cleaner or propane. carbcleaner is easier. anyway when you hit the leak the rpms will go up and you can hear a sucking noise.

well first off you should check for vacuum leaks as you said. its a code that sets because throttle position, map reading and engine rpm dont match. listen for sucking noise and check intake gasket, brake booster check valve and hose, and any vacuum lines you see. you can use carb cleaner or propane. carbcleaner is easier. anyway when you hit the leak the rpms will go up and you can hear a sucking noise.
The engine backfires so hard, i'm afraid it will damage the intake manifold...is that even a possability? It sounds like fireworks once it is running. I plan to head over there this afternoon to try to track down the leak

I did a code scan and found a P1299 code.That is usually for the IAC not begin fully seated or may be dirty. Check that as well as for vacuum leaks.

make sure the remote throttle body tube is not ruptured or disconected this is just held on with a gear clamp at both ends may have gotten disturbed when starter was replaced

make sure the remote throttle body tube is not ruptured or disconected this is just held on with a gear clamp at both ends may have gotten disturbed when starter was replaced
thanks guys, i should have results tongiht. I plan to go over there soon and work on it.

thanks guys, i should have results tongiht. I plan to go over there soon and work on it.

Well, his intake manifold had a hole in it large enough for me to fit my finger in. There is a metal bracket that attaches to the bottom of the intake manifold and apperantly the guys who replaced the starter bolted that bracket to the engine with it behind the intake manifold instead of in front of it and it put so much stress on the manifold it just cracked all the way around. I took off the bracket, closed the crack up as well as I could and put a bunch of plastic weld epoxy on it. I plan to put another layer of epoxy on tomorrow, then try it and see if we get results. If it works then i think we will hold off until the spring to replace the manifold so my fingers dont freeze and fall off.