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Comments
The diagnostics are throwing a P1698 code (No messages received from the electronic transmission control module).
Any ideas would be much appreciated.
-Shawn
It certainly sounds like a dead battery. If it isn't too old you can probably get by with just recharging it, which can either be done with a charger or a jump start and drive around for at least 1/2 hour.
If that's still the original battery from 2001 you might want to get a new one. An old battery can't take being drained very well and you'll just be encountering more problems if you keep it.
Thanks
1. My windshield wipers. They come on all of a sudden in the off position and never know when that is going to happen. If I run my windshield wipers the car will not change gears. When they come on while driving, the van will down gears at what ever speed I am driving. I have to pull off the road and turn the engine off and restart the car for it to change gears while driving. So raining I have to drive home from work with out wipers at 8 pm. Not easy thing to do.
2. I have also have had the van in the shop for radiator problems. New radiator and hoses. But now the car runs hot only if I am have to stop and go. Like at red lights. But if I get on a straight a-way ( like interstate) it will cool it self off and the temp gage returns to normal.
I need help and don't know what more to do.
Sandy
I used a Rain-X brand windshield washer fluid and I hardly ever needed to turn the wipers on. Fill your washer bottle with it, give it a few squirts before you start driving and let the wipers spread it across the glass, turn the wipers off and you're all set to drive in the rain and still be able to see.
On the overheating, check to see if the radiator fan comes on when it gets hot. If it doesn't there might be an easy fix. Someone may have left the fan unplugged or the connection came loose. You say it doesn't overheat when you're driving at highway speeds. That's because enough airflow is blowing through the radiator. No air at low speeds if the fan isn't working and that will cause it to overheat.
I guess you know that turning the heater on and the temp control lever to the high position will help cool it down. I know it's not a pleasant thing to do in the summer.
Try this test: Press down on the horn button as you turn the steering wheel all the way from one side to the other. You will probably hear the horn at one point.
There is a factory recall for the clock spring and if it is determined that yours is defective you can probably get it fixed for free. Try a Google search for more information on this.
But that is not the only electrical problem with this citrus fruit. The power sliding door on the right previously would stop & reverse direction when trying to close at random intervals--sometimes just once and other times several repeats. Part of those times it would respond properly to use of the remote or the console button, but most often it would require manually closing it. The dealership performed some sort of computer fix in late April or early May. That lasted until July 14. The same door would open fully and then sort of clunk as if reaching its stopping position anywhere from once to four times. On July 15 that door stopped midway to closing. When my son tried the automatic button a second time he deliberately put his arm in the way of the closing door to see if it would reverse itself, but it only stopped. The remote would not work and the door again had to be manually closed.
Then later that same day, when he started the van in my driveway to go home, neither the lights or the air conditioning would come on--he decided to just leave the switches alone and before he went a full block they both turned on.
I REALLY think this van has some SERIOUS electrical problems.
I am now waiting for a call from the service department manager (who said he would call us after he talked with Chrysler, which was to have been June 23--but the call never came). I called Chrysler this morning but I only got to talk with a CSR in India whom I doubt has ever even seen an '08 T&C. She transferred me to a gal in Tennessee, but she could/would not transfer me (or provide a phone number) to Tech Support.
I haven't mentioned all the snaps/pops/crack sounds which appear to eminate from various portions of the overhead that runs nearly the full length of the van--the dealership staff cannot hear them or find them!
I wish I had spent this money on repair of my '02's power steering instead of getting involved with this clown car! I WANT A BUY BACK!
These are good vans. I've used mine to haul my family, constructoin material (poor man's pickup with seats out) and pop up camper. You just have to stay on top of the maintenance and use proper transmission fluid (Chrysler only)
email: bchee@yahoo.com thanks
After having my '97 T & C at the dealer for a week their initial diagnosis was the TCM ( ithink that is the transmission control module) Then they said it might be the PCM. They have now diagnosed it as the cluster ? Not sure what that is but they have assured me replacing that will fix the problem.
Hope this helps !!
After having my '97 T & C at the dealer for a week their initial diagnosis was the TCM ( ithink that is the transmission control module) Then they said it might be the PCM. They have now diagnosed it as the cluster ? Not sure what that is but they have assured me replacing that will fix the problem.
After having my '97 T & C at the dealer for a week their initial diagnosis was the TCM ( ithink that is the transmission control module) Then they said it might be the PCM. They have now diagnosed it as the cluster ? Not sure what that is but they have assured me replacing that will fix the problem.
Hope this helps !!!
Thanks,
Randy
Any ideas?
Thanks.
First thing I would do is disconnect the battery at night and see if that fixes/prevents the problem.
If it does, then try to narrow the problem to a group of accessories or loads by selectively pulling fuses at night.
I know this can be tedious, but electrical problems like you're describing tend to be just that.
Thanks again,
Randy
Anyway, the first thing I would check - and this is easier than it sounds, though a little tougher than changing a fuse - is the circuit board that is housed behind your dashboard. It drives all of your instrument gauges. Good thing you have not gone to a dealer - I hope you haven't yet, because I haven't found one single one that actually knows what to do in this case. Anyway, there are some solder points on the circuit board that when they were created were soldered too cold, and over time have cracked, causing a communication breakdown. Find the spots that look like they have a crack or a crack-ring in them and re-solder the spots. It that is indeed what it is, that will fix the problem. Or, if you are not comfortable with a soldering iron, you ould buy a new circuit board and install it - but the soldering iron is much cheaper, trust me - I think I paid $5.00 for mine at the local tool store - Harbor Freight - an el-cheapo one will do the job. Or pay a friend who is handy with one to do the job.
I had this very same challenge for two years and tried so many different things - except spend money - until I finally figured ou what it was by pure perseverance. I did the complete job -removing the board, soldering, re-installing, and putting all the dash panels back in about 15 to 20 minutes.
I have also heard others who were told by a dealer or a mechanic to change this or that - from Body Control Module (computer) to relay switches, to other expensive things - some up to $3,000 later and still the problem was not resolved. I was not willing to spend that kind of money of people who were just guessing and making a mint in the process. So I was patient and ended up spending only $5.00 to resolve the challenge.
Good luck, and hope it helps.
You will need to remove the front panel housing around the instrument panel to get at it isn't a difficult task - check on-line for some visual instructions if you need help.
Once you have the circuit board removed check for solder cracks - a magnifying glass helps but usually you can see them with the naked eye, depending on your eye-sight. Sometimes the cracks look like a little black ring around the point - especially check the points where the main power source connects to the instrument panel (the one you can detach and re-attach (sorry can't think of what to call that at the moment) where the main wires plug into the board.
Re-solder all the points, re-install and see how it goes.
I had the exact same problem you describe for two years and found the solution through pure perseverance and some inspiration. Once I decided to check the instrument circuit board, I had it out and in and fixed within 15 to 20 minutes and NEVER have had a problem since.
The job is easy enough to do on your own 9or ask a D-I-Y-minded friend) with an el-cheapo soldering iron from Harbor Freight or somewhere - I paid $5 for mine - that is all I ever spent on the problem - never replaced any modules, though many suggested I should, or any other parts anywhere. I did suffer plenty of frustration and exercised lots and lots of patience - 2 years worth, so I know what you are going through, and as a one-vehicle guy/family myself shared your anxiety. After I did the soldering thing, never had the trouble again.
So good luck, and I hope many others get to read this post.
Apparently it all is caused by some faulty manufacturing - the points are soldered too cold and that causes them to crack over time. Temperature changes can also wreak havoc once the spots start to go.
And the ignition thing is caused by your computer sensing that there is a communication breakdown and shutting down the fuel relay - that's why you can start and then it dies straight away. The complete NO RESPONSE after X number of tries/attempts to start is your SECURITY SYSTEM kicking in to prevent theft -it senses too many attempts under faulty conditions (out-of-the-ordinary or usual) and shuts the whole system down by disabling the feul relay to function all together and also shutting down the Starter relay. - there is a way to jump the relays - good for "stranded" situation, but that is another post - and a little more tricky. However, if you fix the solder points, you won't need the relay-jump method, anyway . . .
The waiting (sometimes for a few or many hours) is the time it takes for the system to clear the error from it's memory/reset itself. Sometimes that only takes a short while, and other times it can take hours. Not sure exactly what causes this, but have a very strong suspicion that it has to do with the cracked spots re-aligning themselves to create at least some contact as the ambient temperature changes - day to evening - allowing contact to happen again.
When the instrument cluster goes out while you are driving, the security system is not effected - your car does not die - because you are not trying to start. The dying only happens when in the starting phase because that is what the security system is built to protect - unauthorized use of your vehicle . . .
Anyway, hope it helps and resolves your problem. If it does, please post and let us know (and send me a note at igor_speak@hotmail.com) and spread the word to others that are suffering the same problem - there seem to be lots.
Good luck
As to it not starting when instrument gauges don't register at start-up, or instruments dying while driving, check the instrument/gauge cluster circuit board located directly behind the instrument panel.
You will need to remove the front panel housing around the instrument panel to get at it isn't a difficult task - check on-line for some visual instructions if you need help.
Once you have the circuit board removed check for solder cracks - a magnifying glass helps but usually you can see them with the naked eye, depending on your eye-sight. Sometimes the cracks look like a little black ring around the point - especially check the points where the main power source connects to the instrument panel (the one you can detach and re-attach (sorry can't think of what to call that at the moment) where the main wires plug into the board.
Re-solder all the points, re-install and see how it goes.
I had the exact same problem you describe for two years and found the solution through pure perseverance and some inspiration. Once I decided to check the instrument circuit board, I had it out and in and fixed within 15 to 20 minutes and NEVER have had a problem since.
The job is easy enough to do on your own 9or ask a D-I-Y-minded friend) with an el-cheapo soldering iron from Harbor Freight or somewhere - I paid $5 for mine - that is all I ever spent on the problem - never replaced any modules, though many suggested I should, or any other parts anywhere. I did suffer plenty of frustration and exercised lots and lots of patience - 2 years worth, so I know what you are going through, and as a one-vehicle guy/family myself shared your anxiety. After I did the soldering thing, never had the trouble again.
So good luck, and I hope many others get to read this post.
Apparently it all is caused by some faulty manufacturing - the points are soldered too cold and that causes them to crack over time. Temperature changes can also wreak havoc once the spots start to go.
And the ignition thing is caused by your computer sensing that there is a communication breakdown and shutting down the fuel relay - that's why you can start and then it dies straight away. The complete NO RESPONSE after X number of tries/attempts to start is your SECURITY SYSTEM kicking in to prevent theft -it senses too many attempts under faulty conditions (out-of-the-ordinary or usual) and shuts the whole system down by disabling the feul relay to function all together and also shutting down the Starter relay. - there is a way to jump the relays - good for "stranded" situation, but that is another post - and a little more tricky. However, if you fix the solder points, you won't need the relay-jump method, anyway . . .
The waiting (sometimes for a few or many hours) is the time it takes for the system to clear the error from it's memory/reset itself. Sometimes that only takes a short while, and other times it can take hours. Not sure exactly what causes this, but have a very strong suspicion that it has to do with the cracked spots re-aligning themselves to create at least some contact as the ambient temperature changes - day to evening - allowing contact to happen again.
When the instrument cluster goes out while you are driving, the security system is not effected - your car does not die - because you are not trying to start. The dying only happens when in the starting phase because that is what the security system is built to protect - unauthorized use of your vehicle . . .
Anyway, hope it helps and resolves your problem. If it does, please post and let us know (and send me a note at igor_speakhotmail.com) and spread the word to others that are suffering the same problem - there seem to be lots.
Good luck
Thanks,
Ken
If you reinstalled the fuse when the engine was still hot and the fans were trying to run there might have been a current surge which blew the fuse. Check that first.
does anyone one have a clue to why all this is happening and how i can fix the problems. with out having to trade it in or sell it.
Let me know if this helps.
McDocs
Let me know if this helps.
McDocs