Why would a 98 durango not turn over the first time you try to start it in the morning but in subsequent times fire right up throughout the day battery and alternator are fine?

Answer 1

I just spent the last six months with the same problem on my '99 Durango. Eventually, I couldn't get my truck started at all. I just put a new starter in, all problems solved!

The rotor button inside the distributor could also be bad since the car wont start until the rotor button can get a spark to the distributor. Because it wont start in the morning tells me that this is more likely to be your problem. Condensation may be getting inside the distributor and causing the rotor button to get wet not allowing a spark to start the vehicle in the morning and when the sun is out it drys. This is a cheap fix and you can do it yourself. I would replace both distributor and the rotor button. Remove the distributor wires one at a time taking one off the old and place it on the new, this way you wont mix anything up. the distributor is held on by two screws that don't come all the way out just far enough to release the distributor. The rotor will be the next thing you see under the cap held on by probably one Allen screw. Always have the new next to the old and place it in the same way you took it out. Very inexpensive and much cheaper than starter replacement. I would do this first. They may tell you they replaced the starter when they actually only changed your rotor and distributor. Always ask for the old part back and look to see if the part was actually changed or bad. Hope this help.