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Chrysler Pacifica: Problems & Solutions

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Comments

  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    Well indirectly perhaps...if you had a weak fuel pump and then all the gas sloshed to one side of the tank, leaving only a small amount for the pickup tube....low fuel pressure might cause this....or you could have a defective pickup tube or in some cars a clogged "ribbon" filter in the fuel tank itself, attached to the pickup tube.
  • fljoslinfljoslin Member Posts: 237
    In older cars running a low octane gas would cause pinging or knocking because the timing was fixed. Newer cars adjust all sorts of parameters according to their various sensors. I could certainly see where going to a lower octane gas could put you near a ragged operating edge where some other variable could cause a stall. You would obviously be running nearer the limit of what the vehicle is designed for. My wife has a 2005 Pacifica Touring with about 9000 miles on it. She only uses 89 octane or above and has had no engine problems or any other problems with her car.
    However, we are at about 2200' which reduces the octane requirements. I was dissapointed when my wife purchased a car which needed 89 octane gas, but in the big scheme of things with the cost of the car and insurance, $0.10/gallon isn't much. Assuming 9000 miles at 17 mpg (my number) she has used 530 gallons for a saving of about $53 if she had used regular instead of midgrade. It does not add up on a $26000 vehicle plus insurance and maintenance costs.
  • solkensolken Member Posts: 1
    For all you stalling victims, Here's Chrysler's current position: There is a software upgrade under development that should be complete by the end of November. It has to do with controlling the mechanism that the gas tank uses to move gas from one section to another. This will probably become a recall, but Chrysler expects to solve with a software upgrade. In the meantime, the short-term fix is to maintain greater than half a tank of fuel. Supposedly, the fuel transfer issue in the tank does not occur unless the fuel level is low (I am skeptical since my tank was just under half full). I purchased my Pacifica 2 weeks ago and had the typical stall on a left hand turn. My dealer kept the car for 4 days and could not solve the problem, but spoke with Chrysler's STAR engineers after I refused to take the car back until there was a resolution. Hopefully, I have not received the run around. If their is not a resolution by the end of November, I will be calling my state attorney general.
  • nelson33nelson33 Member Posts: 100
    Maybe you're right because I switched back to 89 octane and haven't experienced a stall or an rpm stumble since. I hope in my case that was the case.
  • clongclong Member Posts: 19
    I have a 2004 PAC with 21,000 miles on it. I am hearing a "clicking" sound when the engine is idling and it speeds up when i step on the gas. Not very loud but loud enough for me to hear inside the vehicle while I am driving. Now i am old-school. This could be the "lifters" going but again i am old-school auto..not school-educated auto. Could this be a related to the "ping" reference? Also I called the dealer and he is trying to get me to pay $400 for a 15,000 mile checkup/tuneup that he said I am overdue and i am thinking could this be the issue? My other vehicle is a Lexus and i did not have to Tuneup that car for a minumum of 40,000 miles. One last thing..when i wash the vehicle or when it rains very hard...water drips over the drivers side interior on the left side from the upper panel. Thoughts?
  • clongclong Member Posts: 19
    Also....i usually put Premium fuel into the car but i have to admit at times i got cheap and went with the cheap stuff..but most of the time it is high test. out of 5 fuel up a month...3 1/2 is high test. I am thinking could this be the problem of the clicking sound from the engine?
  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 33,733
    I don't have the manual with me, but what does THAT say is due at 15K miles? Dealers typically try to push a maintenance schedule on owners that the manufacturer does not require you follow. I seriously doubt $400 of stuff is due on the Pac at 15k miles.

    As far as the clicking - have you checked your oil level?

    '11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S

  • clongclong Member Posts: 19
    Yes, thanks for response. My oil levels are fine. I have used only synthetic. That ticking sound is driving me crazy. I will check the manual and get back to you. I agree with your comments. I really thought it was excessive for $400 for that amount of mileage.
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    No the engine can't "ping" at idle. Sounds more like a lifter noise to me.
  • fljoslinfljoslin Member Posts: 237
    This could also be fuel injectors. They can make a pronounced ticking noise from normal operation. You can get a special stethoscope and find out exactly where the noise is coming from.
    Also, I have a 99 Intrepid which sounded awful with about 50000 miles on it. The sound had started much earlier than this. I could not believe that it was the engine since I had purchased the car new and had given it Mobil 1 every 3000 miles. I looked into it and figured that it was the serpentine belt making the noises. A new belt made the vehicle sound like new again. An easy test for this is to spray a little bit of water on the belt when the vehicle is running. Any change in sound and you should look at replacing the belt.
  • mrrogersmrrogers Member Posts: 391
    I am a newbie Pacifica owner with only 2,000 miles on my 2006, but I believe that the 3.5 four valve per cylinder engine has a SOHC. I am not sure that it has lifters? Do you know if the cam is belt driven or chain driven? Perhaps the cam drive is the source of the noise?
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    Well by "lifter noise" people really mean, on some engines, the adjustment (if any) of the cam followers and rockers. But you're right, there aren't lifters on OHC engines (although I'm SURE the French have done it somehow!)

    I always have to catch myself saying that because whenever I see an American car I'm thinking they are still using pushrods, but of course, some do, some don't.

    I'm thinking more and more that he could be experiencing injector noise or perhaps even a small exhaust leak.
  • b25nutb25nut Member Posts: 202
    When my EGR valve went bad, it started as a clicking sound.
  • shareinsharein Member Posts: 2
    I would get the extended warranty on that Pacifica because I'm up to my 2nd Pacifica since the 04 model was giving me too much trouble and had to trade it in; and I'm having trouble this current 05 model. Currently, it's at the shop for the 3rd time for the same problem so do yourself a favor and get the warranty.
    Sharein
  • shareinsharein Member Posts: 2
    The first Pacifica (04) I bought made this clanking noise when I turn the steering wheel and I felt it in the steering as well so after many times at the shop, they decided to give me a 05 model as a trade in. Now, after having it for 6 months, it started making this squeaking noise as it would when the timing belt is loose. First time, the dealer adjusted the timing belt, second time they changed the timing belt, as I'm typing this my Pacifica is at the dealer and no one knows what is wrong. I make head turns on the road because the noise is that loud and annoying. As much as I enjoy driving my Pacifica (minus the problems), I don't think I'm up for my 3rd Pacifica.
  • steelydan0613steelydan0613 Member Posts: 144
    I drive in Houston, where the a/c is on 85% of the time in stop and go driving, often in 90 degree plus weather.

    It is a known fact that higher octane gas burns at a lower temperature than lower octane gas, so I assume that burning 89 octane gas enables my Pac to run a little cooler than burning 87 octane....

    That is something to consider if you are driving in very hot weather, or pulling a trailer as I also do sometimes............
  • ekka52ekka52 Member Posts: 3
    Hi, I was wondering if anyone else had this problem, its happened 3 times already. I drive the car, park it and get out, when suddenly the door lock on my remote doesnt work. The red light for the alarm on the dash stays steady. If i get back in and turn the car on again, the dash lights dont go on. The check engine light goes on but only for about a day, and they it shuts off. I have an appt next week, but since the engine light went off again, I dont know if they can run a diagnostic on it. Any ideas? Thanks
  • steelydan0613steelydan0613 Member Posts: 144
    Have the EGR valve checked, I had my 04 Pac inspected at the local tune and lube, and a week later I am headed out of town on vacation loaded to the gills, and I hear this awful rat tat tat sound that was inaudible at idle, but was directly related to how much throttle I was using....

    I pulled in unannounced to a 5 star dealer down the road, they were very accomodating, dropped us off at the shopping mall down the road, and phoned me when it was ready an hour later.....

    It turned out to be a faulty EGR valve, replaced under warranty.

    I wonder to this day if the safety inspection at the tune &lube had something to do with this, as I believe they check the EGR valve as part of the emissions check that Houston, Tx. requires..........The one week gap between emissions check and EGR valve failure was suspicious to me.

    On to another subject: I cannot get the fuse box open under the hood, I am unable to lift the little safety latch. I have tried 3 times. NO problem now, but one day I may actually have to get in there.

    Anyone else have the same trouble, or am the only digitally challenged Pac owner out there?
  • nelson33nelson33 Member Posts: 100
    I'm glad you mentioned that because the same exact thing happened to me as well. But only once. What I did was I kept pressing and holding the "unlock button" to unlock the rear door because the remote wasn't responding to my command, it seems like the car got "hung up" on that remote command. Not only did my dash lights not work, the headlights stayed on and the AC wasn't blowing cold air. I drove home w. the car in that condition. The check engine turned off after turning the car off and on a few times. Despite the fact that it happened over a month ago, I'm still going to mention it when I finally take it in. You will obviously take your car in sooner than I will. Would you mind posting what the dealer says about that? I'm curious, like you, to know if the event stays logged in the car's computer. Really weird.
  • fljoslinfljoslin Member Posts: 237
    I do not believe that higher octane gas burns at a lower temperature. Higher octane reduces the tendency to pre-detonate (ping or knock). As the piston is rising on the up stroke the temperature and pressure increase and if the octane is too low the gas will detonate by itself before the spark due to the temperature and pressure. This is very bad since the engine is designed to operate with the detonation occurring immediately after the spark on the down stroke of the piston, not on the up-stroke. Pre-detonation does have the tendency to make an engine run hotter and as you can see, higher operating temperatures and higher engine loads can contribute to pre-detonation.
    As vehicles get older, cylinders will carbon up increasing the compression ratio and the tendency for pre-detonation. Inappropriate timing of the spark can also lead to pre-detonation if the spark happens too late. Changing the spark timing is what modern engines do to avoid pre-detonation. However, there are limits.
  • steelydan0613steelydan0613 Member Posts: 144
    What I was driving at was the avoidance of pre-detonation, which the higher octane gas will do, with the final result being lower operating temperature in the cylinders and better overall performance and longevity...

    fljoslin, you stated the process much more accurately , what can I say, I am a dentist.............. :blush:
  • fljoslinfljoslin Member Posts: 237
    You are correct.
  • ekka52ekka52 Member Posts: 3
    Everything you described happened to me also. My engine light went off yesterday, so I called the service department to see if they could still read the codes, and of course they cant. They said if it doesnt happen again before my appointment on tues, then dont bring the car in. I dont even know how it happened to duplicate the problem. Oh well, guess i'll have to wait till the next time it happens to find out what it is.
  • pacswedepacswede Member Posts: 5
    Hi, everyone. I am about to buy a 2005 Pac Touring in Sweden. The model is not sold by Chrysler in Sweden so I have found a car that has been imported from Canada by a Private person. A small car dealer is now selling the car but he has very poor knowledge of the model. I have been searching the web to try and figure out the spec. on the car and have only a few more questions unanswered. 1. Is traction controll standard equipment on a FWD? how can i tell if this car has it? 2. Is heated exterior mirrors standard equipment? I cand find any button or switch. and last......this is a tough one......Will the nanvigationsystem mounted in the car work with European/swedish maps? I dont think that i will have much use of routplanning form Miami to LA :)
  • user777user777 Member Posts: 3,341
    qn: will you have any problem with the manufacturer honoring the warranty?
  • pacswedepacswede Member Posts: 5
    Correct. I have no warranty support at all. I sent an e-mai and asked.
    They replied:
    As a manufacturer, DaimlerChrysler does not support the movement of vehicles from the country of manufacture and sale to another country. They sell vehicles specifically built to operate in many countries, and
    support those markets with parts and service only for those specific vehicles.
    DaimlerChrysler Motors Corporation doesn't provide warranty coverage for vehicles exported from the U.S. to other countries by anyone other than DaimlerChrysler Motors Corporation.

    So i´ll be buying a new car with no warranty. That is why I am very curious to hear from current Pacifica owners to evaluate the risk I´m taking.
    /Peter
  • rodutrodut Member Posts: 343
    1) Traction Control is standard on the 2005 Touring FWD, but not on the 2005 Base FWD, neither on AWD models. If it has it, there is a black button next to the gear shifter with "OFF" written on it (and a small skidding car picture). When you push the button the TCS would be switched OFF (another indicator will be lit on the dash to remind you the TCS is OFF).
    2) Heated mirrors are standard in Canada but there is no separate switch for them. The mirrors will heat when you will switch ON the rear window defroster (so one switch for all defrosters).
    3) Better buy a map.
    I guess you are a rich guy if you plan to buy a car without warranty, just to have a unique car in Sweden. Me, in Sweden, I would get the XC90.

    By the way, is it true that Volvos are not considered luxury cars in Sweden ? I heard a guy saying that.
  • pacswedepacswede Member Posts: 5
    Thank you very much for your reply!
    I am a bit puzzled reagarding the traction controll. The car I´m looking at is according the the seller a 2005 and it has a Touring badge on the back, but it does not have the button you describe next to the gear shift?
    I´f you re curius the car is shown on www.unitedcars.se Klick on "Bilar i lager" it has a few pictures of it.
    I´m going to borrow a navigation map CD from a swedish sold Chrysler.....but I am afraid that I might have to take your advice and buy a map :) Feels kind of useless having a naviagtionsystem that does´nt work :P
    And right you are.....you would have to be a rich guy to buy a car without warranty...or....stupid! But buying a car is not allways done with your head, often the heart speaks louder. When I first saw the Pacifica only a couple of weeks ago I really took a liking to it. The day after I was down at the dealer. The car looks great and it feels luxurius and sporty. I have had 9 SAAB´s. currently a 2001 9-5 2,3 Sport Edtion touring and I feel it´s time to trade it in. It allso feels like it´s time to try something new. The fact that there is no warranty concerns me the most. I have had little or no problem with my previus cars but i know little or nothing about Chrysler. Me and my wife are very fond of the car and if we decide to buy it I will take it down to a local Chrysler dealer to have it checked.(I already spoke to them about it) But The is no saying about what might happen in 6 months or a year?

    Heart or head....The question is still open.

    Regarding Volvo, I would say no, it is not considered a luxury car. The V70 stationwagon is one of the most common family cars in sweden. However, the XC90 is a luxury car. I guess even the S80, but I concider it more to be a "business" company car than luxury.....something like that.
  • rodutrodut Member Posts: 343
    So there IS a Chrysler dealership in Stockholm !!! Well, that changes everything. Even if they don't sell the Pacifica in Sweden, talk with them. I think they could agree to buy parts from Chrysler Canada and fix your car (for a cost) if needed. Most repairs are needed after the warranty expires, when you pay for them anyway ... but that doesn't mean you don't take a risk by buying a car without warranty. If it breaks, you pay.

    I researched the 05 Pacifica brochure, and looked at your pictures. My conclusions follows:

    That car is the luxury version of the FWD Touring version. It's called FWD Touring 26T, and doesn't have Traction Control. It has luxury stuff like leather chairs, navigation, 19 inch wheels, power liftgate, upgraded audio system, could have laminated side windows. My Pacifica is the low end FWD Touring, called 26S, which doesn't have those luxury items, but has Traction Control. Probably they couldn't keep the FWD Touring 26T price under control, that's why they removed the Traction Control from the 26T features list.

    Anyway, now you know what they sell.

    Cheers
  • pacswedepacswede Member Posts: 5
    Once again, thank you again for yor reply and for all the iformaion which you supplied me with! :) Do you or anyone happen to have a picture showing the Traction controllbutton by the gearshift? I would love to show the seller that when It´s time to negotiate the price.....On the website it says that the car has traction control! so that will a good barganing point.

    Regards, Peter
  • ekka52ekka52 Member Posts: 3
    Heres an update, if anyone has been following. I called Chrysler on Friday and they said that there should still be computer codes there even if the light goes off. I called another dealership and brought the car in yesterday. Although they couldnt find the problem, they were able to tell me that the computer showed over 20 codes, and they didnt know which caused the problem. They reset the computer,and we'll have to wait and see if it happens again. I cant help but wonder if all the codes are part of the problem, and the computer is going haywire. Oh well, maybe if it happens again, I'll get a better answer.

    Nelson - If you find out anything different when you bring yours in, please keep me posted.

    thanks :D
  • nelson33nelson33 Member Posts: 100
    Thanks for the update. I was looking out for you. I'm almost at my 3000 mile service time so I will mention it to the dealer as well as a few other things when I bring it in. I'm more careful now w. the remote and how I press it. It hasn't happened since that one time. Wishful thinking perhaps.

    Come to think of it, So far 2 things have only happened once, the remote problem and the stall. Man, I hope it stays that way.

    20 error codes raises an eyebrow w. me.

    I will keep you posted.
  • pacswedepacswede Member Posts: 5
    I still have not decided if to proceed with the purchase of the Pacifica here in Sweden. As I´m going through the details i notice that the car does not seem to have Headligth washers (A allmost have to have feature in Northern climates)Do you guys and gals who own Pac´s experiece this to be a big problem? (with the headlights getting covered in snow,dirt & ice?) :confuse:
  • rodutrodut Member Posts: 343
    Well ... when I get gas and clean my windows anyway, I clean the headlights too. No big deal.

    I don't have the picture of the Traction Control button, but you can piss off the dealer because it doesn't have headlight washers !
  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 33,733
    Considering I managed just fine during the first 12 years or so of my driving career without headlight washers, I have yet to realize a benefit to this on my Volvo. And, yes, I live in a northern climate. So NOT having it on my other cars (including the Pac) doesn't phase me one bit.

    '11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S

  • fljoslinfljoslin Member Posts: 237
    My wife has a 2005 Pacifica purchased new just over a year ago. No problems until yesterday. She was driving home from work when the driver window fell down with a large crash. The window is stuck at about a 45 degree forward angle with about 9" protruding. Of course it snowed today for the first time this winter and she only had to drive about 2 miles with the window down. She was still pretty cold when she got home. It will be much colder soon. We hit -20 F here last winter. This could have been very serious out on the road in low temperatures.
    I assume that this will be repaired under warranty since the vehicle is just over one year old with 9000 miles on it. It needs an oil change anyway. Will let you know.
  • kutehartkutehart Member Posts: 11
    It doesn't matter how full or low the gas tank is either. It's happening to me full, low, middle tank.

    The car is at the dealer AGAIN for service (this appointment was scheduled by Daimler) and I've filed my lemon law :lemon: paperwork. Chrysler Star Line spoke with the service director at my dealer and told him that they need "cold hard facts" from me, the customer, because the fuel pump issue should have corrected the problem. The FACT is THEY HAVE NO CLUE HOW TO FIX IT! :mad:

    I have a feeling this will end up in arbitration.
  • jlkellyjlkelly Member Posts: 1
    I have had my Pacifica for almost a year and truly love it. However that noise when you open the back windows or the sunroof without opening the front windows is going to probably make me trade it in

    Jamie L. Kelly
  • b25nutb25nut Member Posts: 202
    Jamie,

    What other vehicle with simular features to the Pacifica would you switch to? This is a phenomena common to most autos in Pacifica's class. I only use the tilt function for the sun roof, which is very effective in releasing the heat that can build up inside. The A/C is so efficient the only time I roll down any windows is to talk to someone outside.
  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 33,733
    I'll buy it from you.

    Unfortunately, with such a problem, I can only pay $5K for it.

    '11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S

  • rodutrodut Member Posts: 343
    I bid $10K for it.

    I want it delivered to Ottawa, Ontario, though. It's a nice city to travel. I could include a Parliament Hill tour, if desired.
  • PF_FlyerPF_Flyer Member Posts: 9,372
    I'll use this a chance to remind everyone of one of the rules of the road. The forums cannot be used to buy and sell anything.
  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 33,733
    tongue in cheek? Nah! Not us!

    ;)

    '11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S

  • fljoslinfljoslin Member Posts: 237
    Update:
    The window regulator was replaced under warranty. The car always had a slight rattle since new in the driver's door when it was closed with the window down. That has gone now. Probably a problem from the factory, but it is fixed.
  • maiamaia Member Posts: 1
    I'm thinking about getting a Pacifica when my Jeep's lease is up, but I haven't driven one yet. Does anyone know if the 2006 Pacifica is improved at all in regards to the blind spot? This concerns me very much because I'm in a preschool parking lot twice a day.
  • b25nutb25nut Member Posts: 202
    Nothing has changed, but if you get the ParkSense system and add a $3 rectangular 1"x2" convex mirror to the bottle left of your driver's outside rear view mirror you can get full coverage of everything around you. I never have to do more than check my mirrors to see all the cars near me in traffic. The mirrors must be set so that there is little overlap in their coverage. When a vehicle is passing me on the left, when their left headlight disappears from view in my center rear view mirror it is immediately visible in the left outside mirror. When the vehicle disappears from the left side mirror, it is fully visible in the convex mirror for that split second before I can see it in my peripheral vision.
  • patrickc3patrickc3 Member Posts: 1
    Some people have complained of blind spots n the Pacifica.
    I have the 2005 Base 3.8 litre motor and enjoy driving it much more than the 3.5 liter 250 horses as the base with the 3.8 liter has only 210 horses but has 240 lbs. torque.
    This gives a lot more kick to pass someone quickly.
    The one big problem I have is when backing up into a space
    at night, I find that with the window tinting, the back-up lighting does not allow enough lighting to safely see where I am going. The only alternative is to lower my window and put my head out the window to look behind, not a good option if there is a rain or snowstorm. Any suggestions as to an alternative to this problem? Is there an accessory light that can be added to alieviate this problem! Desperate for a so;ution....Pat
  • bgalbgal Member Posts: 1
    I have a 2004 Pacifica and am having problems with the tire pressure monitor, all the tires are ok, but is showing low pressure on 3 tires some days and 4 tires other days. I am out of warranty and need direction on fixing it myself.
    thanks
  • mrrogersmrrogers Member Posts: 391
    Pat,
    I went to the PIAA website, and clicked on lights. They show two different accessory backup lights that could be installed. Also, it may be possible to install a brighter bulb in the existing backup light housing. Good luck!
  • fljoslinfljoslin Member Posts: 237
    I would use the good old fashioned method (pressure gauge) which you seem to be doing already.
    Also, if it was me I would try to determine if the calibration of the system is out or if the system is simply not functioning. Set the tires to the specified pressure and read the values from you monitoring system. Then drop the psi by 5 psi and repeat and repeat.
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