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Caravan/Town & Country Electrical Problems

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  • cententcentent Member Posts: 6
    I am having this problem with my 98 T / C. The car starts, then dies right a way, then it starts and dies, starts and dies, then nothing. The dash board doesn't work during this. Then I unhook the positive battaery cable and leave it for 15-30 minutes. Then I can hook it up and it is fine for a time. Has happened twice in two days though.
  • lsb0453lsb0453 Member Posts: 4
    The dash board must be removed from the dash.
    It sounds like you have the typical problem.
    I can fix it.
    I will need it for about 4 hours.
    Len
  • lcarlcar Member Posts: 1
    This is happening to our 2007 T&C. Dealer won't trouble shoot. Says he'll only fix it if it happens to them and of course it never does. Can you please tell us how you fixed it. I am stuck with this car and must safely drive 4 children around. This can be dangerous. Please Help!!
  • lsb0453lsb0453 Member Posts: 4
    The dash board must be removed from the dash.
    It sounds like you have the typical problem.
    I can fix it. Please contact me. Hopefully it does not start a car fire.
    I will need it for about 4 hours.
    Len
  • cententcentent Member Posts: 6
    What I did was cleaning the battery posts and trimming the gape in the battery post clamp to make sure it is tight to the post. So far, after two days, it is working better. The car repair shop couldn't find it, had to troubleshoot ourself.
  • lsb0453lsb0453 Member Posts: 4
    Hello,
    It is none of that, good to have done but not the answer.
    When the dash board is removed, there is a printed circuit board attached to it.
    It has a manufacturing defect causing all of the T&C's to have this problem. I can repair that. I live in Il.
    I have heard stories of a NEW PCboard from the dealer $800.00 plus installation, and stories of $400.00 just to repair it.
    Len B
  • cententcentent Member Posts: 6
    Where are you in Illinois? How much is the board and installation?
  • kirkhemphill78kirkhemphill78 Member Posts: 4
    We had the same problem with ours for a year. You have to get a rebuilt instrument cluster from the dealership. The computer board in the instrument cluster is part of the security system and has a bad part in it. This van has worked perfectly for years after this.
  • Karen_SKaren_S Member Posts: 5,092
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  • linda456linda456 Member Posts: 5
    I have a 2008 TC Touring and wondered if anyone else has this problem. I have brought this to the attention of the dealer several times and they cannot duplicate the problem. They did give me a new key hoping that was the problem. Well...it worked for a while. Now the van is doing it again. It just turns off while your driving which can be very scary. I have to put the van in neutral and restart it and that takes care of it.........until the next time. Now the tailgate won't go down when I hit the key-fob or the button. It goes up...but not down. I had a 2001 TC and it was a great van. I am sorry I bought this one. It will be my last!!
  • linda456linda456 Member Posts: 5
    My 2008 TC quits while I'm driving it. I have told the dealership and since they cannot duplicate the problem.. they can't fix it. They did give me a new key to use and it worked for a while..now its doing it again. I noticed it quits when I hit a bump in the road but that's not always the case. I just posted my problem looking for anyone else having the same issue. Chrysler needs to do something before someone gets killed.
  • ginnic65ginnic65 Member Posts: 1
    It worked for us!! thanks
  • cententcentent Member Posts: 6
    It worked so far. My father did my sisters vehicle on friday, we just did mine right now. It seams to have worked on my sisters.

    Thanks and God Bless!

    Scott
  • kdlogsdon31kdlogsdon31 Member Posts: 3
    This is happening to me too and I have a 2008 T&C. Sometimes driving down the road the windshield wipes and washer fluid will start going off horn will start honking, now when i hit the unlock button on my key this happens. I took the horn fuses out cause I'm done listening to the horn blowing while driving down the road. also the hazard lights have came on for no reason.
  • katirishkatirish Member Posts: 1
    I am having a similar problem with my Town and Country 2008. It just turns off in the middle of the road with no warning. It is very scary and of course the dealership can't duplicate. They put in a new Wyn module which they hoped would cure the problem and it didn't. I had my son, who has his permit, behind the wheel one day one it cut out. Very scary and Chrysler is going to have a huge problem if they don't figure out how to fix this. Let me know if you find anything!
  • heisjoheisjo Member Posts: 1
    I have a 2002 chrysler town and country Limited V6 3.8l with the video system. I have owned this van for about 5 years now and for the past 3 years it has been giving me problems. there would be some morinings after sitting for the weekend, it would be dead. i would go to turn it on and there would be some clicking, but today when i had went to start it up there was nothing. No lights no bells, the battery was dead completely, and i had replaced this battery just a couple weeks ago. I'm ready to junk the vehicle for something else if i can't get this problem fixed. Any help would be nice. thanks :mad:
  • wenco3333wenco3333 Member Posts: 1
    I am having the ame problem and even when the key is completely out of the van it does it. I am confused, angry and don't know what to do. I have it scheduled for the dealership on Monday but am afraid it will be an astronomical amount to fix it. I am reading a lot of 2008 are having this issue maybe this is why they aren't making them anymore. Does anyone have any suggestions besides the delaership. Is there a business board we can send a complaint to?

    Help, Wendy
  • cententcentent Member Posts: 6
    The dealers will not likely be able to find it. I was notified via lsb0453 and he told me what to do as far as fixing the circuit board (Dash Board). I or a family member soldered it and it has been fine ever since. We also did it to another van and if fixed it as well, or at least it hasn't happened in two week, since we soldered it.

    Contact lsb0453 (member of this forum) he can help you out.
  • pnthayerpnthayer Member Posts: 1
    Have you ever found a permanent fix? We bought our 2005 T&C from a dealer just over a year ago with an extended service plan. It is doing everything that you describe yours is doing. We have had it back at the dealer 10 times now with them not being able to find any solutions. I have found fixes for the 1999 and 2010 on here and gave the info to the dealer but they said since we have a 05 the fixes don't apply.
  • ale12ale12 Member Posts: 4
    Len, I have this problem with a 1999 Chrysler T&C. Dash board doesn't work - engine runs for 2-3 seconds and dies - hitting top of dash use to work but doesn't help anymore. Just got it back from the shop - they replaced a PCM module for second time - started and ran ok (no gauges, though) for a couple of days.

    I think you said you were from Illinois. Can you tell me where? I'm from Springfield and could use some help.
  • ale12ale12 Member Posts: 4
    I have a very similar problem. Engine starts and runs for 2-3 seconds, guages do not work, etc. I use to hit the top of dash and bring back the guages. A little while ago, I hit the top of dash above right side of instrument cluster and the guages came on and I was able to start the van and keep it running. I'm pretty sure it's a problem in the instument panel. I would appreciate the instructions you referred to in your post. Thank you!
  • mandymeier143mandymeier143 Member Posts: 3
    Len I am having the exact same problems. Van starts when it wants. Dashboard lights flash. Wipers come on and run all the time. We replaced the BCM and the PCM and spent $350 on each. But still having the same problems. We was told it would fix the problem and hasn't Do you think you could help?? I bought the van for 4200 9 months ago and only got to drive it for 2-3 months before it broke down. I have only been able to drive it for 2 days after putting in new PCM before it broke down again. Thats when we replaced the BCM to find it still not working. PLEASE HELP ANYONE EMAIL ME PERSONALLY mandymeier143@yahoo.com PLEASE HELP :confuse: :cry: :mad: :confuse: :sick:
  • kirkhemphill78kirkhemphill78 Member Posts: 4
    We have a 1998 Chrysler Town & Country that had the same problem for years. We had to order a new instrument cluster for the van. It has worked perfectly for 2 years now. The security system runs through the instrument cluster. Trust me, it is worth the money. The dealership did not even know how to fix it when it was under warranty, but they did know how to order the part in a rush after the warranty expired!
  • mandymeier143mandymeier143 Member Posts: 3
    My husband was talking to our mechanic. Apparently there are two different type of security systems. You can tell by the color of the key. One system has a GRAY KEY and the other has a BLACK KEY. Could you message me back which key it is that you have?? He wants to send it to a Chrysler Mechanic and pay by the hour to check it out. But he talked to him and he suggested too that it maybe the instrument cluster. But of course that is without looking at it. I would hate to pay the hourly wage for him to check it out if it is something that simple.
  • chester17chester17 Member Posts: 3
    I have the same problem. I recently purchased the 2010 vehicle and it has stalled 5 times, 3 just after starting, twice while accelerating and turning left at the same time. I'm taking it to a dealer tomorrow, but without the check engine light, he is not hopeful that he can fix it. Next time it happens, I will look at the key placement.
  • linda456linda456 Member Posts: 5
    edited June 2011
    I was driving 60 MPH last Friday on the highway and the van turned itself off again. I put the van in neutral and turned the key on again and everything was fine. However, I was so upset that I nearly hit someone in the lane next to me. I really feel this is going to cause me to have a major accident. I just got out my Owner's Manual and am making a complaint. I am writing to www. Safercar.gov. I have told them I have made a post on this site and that other people have the same issue.
  • linda456linda456 Member Posts: 5
    I was given a new key by the dealership. It didn't help. FYI, the key is $200.00.
  • blsnipeblsnipe Member Posts: 1
    We have had the same problem!! We bought the van used a year ago and within a month it was doing the battery was dying. The worst part is our dashboard goes out completely, the odometer, speedometer, gas gauge, ac, dvd player... all of it just stops working. I know it's a short but I have taken it to three dealers and no one can find what is wrong.
    PLEASE let me know if you figure this out!!
  • chester17chester17 Member Posts: 3
    Since I last posted, I think on 6/13, I took the van to the dealer. The dealer cannot solve the problem because the service engine light does not come on.
    It has stalled twice since. It's a safety concern because you lose speed and power steering.
  • chester17chester17 Member Posts: 3
    The company says it will recall 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country minivans and 2010 Dodge Journey crossovers in the wake of reports that the ignition key could move while driving and cause the engine to shut off. http://www.wdtn.com/dpps/money/auto_news/chrysler-recall-due-to-engines-stalling- _3736213
  • birdman895birdman895 Member Posts: 2
    edited June 2011
    I have a 2002 T&C with the battery going dead, dashboard lights and gauges go out and then come back on, it thinks it's in reverse when it's in park, etc.
    isb0453 has not logged on in awhile. Can you send me the info that he sent to you?
  • cas3cas3 Member Posts: 1
    Had issues with the battery. The cluster would flicker or die, wipers would go on, the needle on the speedometer would go berserk. We would charge it & it would still die. Took it to the dealer and there was a huge draw on the battery from an after market alarm system. Had that removed and put back to factory specs and replaced the battery. Everything seems to be working fine now. Just make sure they attach the accessory (? small easy to miss) cable to the battery. They forgot to put it on when I had the battery installed and when I would turn on my blinkers the entire cluster would die while I was driving. Once it was attached and tightened down, there seems to be no problem. Hope this helps.
  • kcrossleykcrossley Member Posts: 182
    I have a 2010 Town & Country with a Curt hitch and 4-pole trailer wiring kit. During the summer we frequently use this vehicle to transport and launch my son's jet ski.

    For safety's sake I'm thinking about installing a Wolo backup alarm. Unfortunately, I can't find a wiring diagram for my vehicle so I don't know which wire to tie into. Can somebody help me identify which wire I need to tie into?

    Thanks!
  • jeffscismjeffscism Member Posts: 4
    Simply splice into one of the wires which runs to the Back-up light, and the OTHER wire goes to ground.
  • kcrossleykcrossley Member Posts: 182
    I've located the wires to the backup light, but how do I know which one is positive? Doh! I guess I could use a voltmeter.

    BTW, where's the best place to mount the alarm? I'm thinking underneath the bumper next to the hitch. That should be high enough so it doesn't get wet when launching my son's jet ski—I hope.
  • fourccfourcc Member Posts: 1
    I have had the same problem. All dash lights come on, air conditioner comes on, wipers turn on, Indications you are in all gears at the same time. Took it to dealer told it was computer. We change computer, they then suggest we invest in tracing wires to prevent it fromhappening again. I decline. guess what happened. It happened again and they are telling me They told me it was in the wires. We finally trace wires and never find problem. Chrysler cost me $1,300 and never fixed it. I gave car away and person I gave it to changed a cluster in dash board, he got from a junk yard. Hasn't had a problem since.
  • lkr1lkr1 Member Posts: 1
    Wondering if this issue was ever fixed? I have a 2002 T&C and have been dealing with this issue for over a year. I have taken it to the mechanic several times, but nothing has fixed the problem. Originally, the problems only occurred when it was raining, or wet but now it's most of the time. Also I used to be able to get everything to work with the key was in the AC position, but now not so much. I've taken it to 3 different mechanics, I'm afraid the 1st one may have actually made the problem worse - he had it for 6 weeks last summer and when I took it somewhere else a few months later, they said the wiring under the dashboard was all melted - they said they were pretty certain there had been a fire under the dash, as there was a hole burned into the carpet from the melted wire casing. He advised junking it, unfortunately, I still owe money on it - and actually I really like the vehicle - minus the electrical issues. I've grown used to not having the wipers, but not having A/C or windows, that's a problem. I figure eventually if I don't find someone that can fix it - I will have to junk it. Any help or advise would be very much appreciated.
  • mandymeier143mandymeier143 Member Posts: 3
    We got ours at a specialist right now. It does the same thing as yours. We are told to replace the Instrument Cluster ($100). That is where the whole problem lies. But in the process of the instrument cluster going out it also burnt out the BCM Body Control Module ($300 to send off and get rebuilt) and the PCM Power Control Module ($300 to send off and get rebuilt) But am told it will work perfect now and never do it again. So total of $700 minus labor. Which isn't too bad if it finally fixes the problem for good.
  • chrys1999chrys1999 Member Posts: 1
    Hello

    I had the same problem and after taking it to the dealer and them not knowing what was wrong, wanting to replace the bcm and possibly the pcm (based on DTC reading) I did extensive research and found out it was a printed circuit board in the dash board. I took it back to the dealer, they of course checked and couldnt find anything. I told them to check the circuit board voltage and it was low. therefore they replaced it and have not had a problem since.
  • ale12ale12 Member Posts: 4
    I have a 1999 T&C. This problem has harassed me for the last two years. At first all the guages would quit working. A smack on the top of the dash would cause the guages to start working again. The problem was intermittent like this for several months and then all of sudden, no matter how hard I hit the dash, the guages would never start working again but, except for the windshield wipers, the van continued to run great. Then out of the blue the car would not start. Everything seemed dead. The auto shop replaced the PCM ($750) and the car started. I drove the car for another six months (with no guages). Then one day I tried to start the car and it would only run for 2 or 3 seconds. Another tow to a different mechanic..... he changed the PCM again. I took the car home and it worked for 2 days, then it would not start again. It was completely dead. I know the frustration you're experiencing. I decided to do a little research and found many T&C owners with similar problems. It appeared to me that most complaints seemed to point to the printed circuit board behind the guages. One in particular, suggested that the alarm sys goes through this board and that is why the engine dies after 2 or 3 seconds. I took the dash apart, removed the circuit board, and carefully checked all solder connections. I fould a bad solder joint on one of the pins on the main connector. I re-soldered the pin, put the dash back together and my van has been running with all the guages working ever since! It's starts every time now, and I have regained confidence in it's dependability once again.
  • miriamvarela3miriamvarela3 Member Posts: 1
    change the camshaft sensor, that happen to my moms van and yes like you say it was scary but i replace that sensor and problem solve.

    good luck
  • ljbennettljbennett Member Posts: 2
    I have a 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan, and for the first year we had it, it worked beautifully. About 18 months ago it started acting up. The entire cluster freaks out, the air flow stops, the radio shorts out, the headlights flicker continuously, and the warning lights come on and the van makes that 'ding' noise (like when you leave the key in). Sometimes it feels like the engine pulls a bit, not sure how to explain that one.

    We have replaced the BCM, we have replaced the alternator twice, we have replaced the battery twice, and we have replaced the starter once. The van has been to 2 different Dodge dealerships (in 2 different states), 2 run-of-the-mill mechanics, and an electrician. We have sunk a LOT of money into this thing and still have no answers.

    We replaced the battery again in March, and it wasn't driven for 3 days and the brand new battery was dead. The sliding doors don't lock, and they won't open with the key or the buttons, you must open them manually. The back hatch is super finicky on when it will open. Every time we take it to be worked on, it seems to run fine for a few days and then starts freaking out again. When we first had the problems, we took it to a dealership and they could find no problems so the manager said it was probably the BCM. I took his word and replaced that. It ran perfectly fine until the day after the part warranty expired (ain't that the way it always goes?). We were weeks away from a military cross-country move at that point and had to try and figure it out. It somehow fixed itself and we made it from TX to OK just fine. Drove around in OK for a few weeks no problems. Made it from OK to OH just fine and 3 days after we got to OH it started acting up again. The dealership here looked it over, charged us and told us there was nothing they could do since they can't replicate the problem. The electrician had it for almost 2 weeks and couldn't find anything.

    I have no idea what to do...please help!!!!!

    (Here's a link to a video my husband took of it happening while he was driving) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9gKZBeGZIU&feature=channel_video_title
  • linda456linda456 Member Posts: 5
    Thank you for sending me the link regarding the recalls for the ignition problem. I contacted Chrysler ( not the dealer) and told them my 2008 T&C was shutting off just as the recall had stated for the 2009 and 2010 T&C vans. After Chrysler contacted the dealer, they were willing to work with me. After some research, the dealer found that my key would get stuck in the START position and then when I would hit a bump, the key would jump past the ON position to the ACC position which shut the car off. I finally will be getting a new ignition module this week at no cost to me.
  • angeladmillerangeladmiller Member Posts: 1
    Hello, the problem I had with my van was that the dashboard wasnt working and the car would start for 2 seconds then shut off. after spending a lot of money trying to get it fixed we found out the problem...it is the dashboard area where the speedometer and other things are. we had that replaced and havent had a problem since. The wiring is faulty so after a while you may need to replace it again, but we havent had a problem since we changed it out (cost 20 bucks at pick and pull) and its been six months.
  • lucky2555lucky2555 Member Posts: 1
    My daughter has the 1999 town & country minivan. she has been to 2 auto repair shops and her problem sounds similiar. When she runs the air the car doesnt go out of first gear and it will cut off. Check engine light comes on at will and the power windows work when they want. Turn signals also work at will. What is the name of the part you got from the junkyard?
  • argenoahargenoah Member Posts: 2
    hi Len my name is david i was reading ur story about what happened to ur mini van i have the same problem with mine, i have a chrysler town and country 2001 and everything started when i was driving and i stopped in a traffic light my mini van turn it off by its self so i needed to have the ac on, then not even with that worked , so every time i was trying to turn it on the revolutions starts to go up and down and after a few minutes its shut it off again . so i took it to the mechanic they told me the problem was the main computer or pcm , camshaft sensor also they told me the problem was electrical so i needed to towing to my house cos they dont have the equipment to do it , so i tried to turn it on again but it was impossible so gave it a jump started so it turn it on for a few seconds then it looks like it has not more power at all so if u can help me or give me some advice i gonna really appreciated it its looks like it is a dashboard circuit problem the same u described above so i will leave my email address susandvic@hotmail.com thank you so much for ur time ... my best regards ... david
  • bhotchkissbhotchkiss Member Posts: 1
    edited August 2011
    How can it be the instrument Cluster I have it out completely and the car still starts perfectly I don't see anything bad on the circuit board
  • spookie37spookie37 Member Posts: 2
    I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND THE AC NEEDS TO BE RESET. START YOUR VEHICLE TURN YOUR COLD AND HOT CONTROLS ALL THE WAY OVER TO FULL COLD PUT THE CONTROL KNOB TO YOUR FACE ONLY AND THEN TURN ON THE CONTROL SWICTH TO FULL BLAST, NOW TO THE FAR LEFT-YOUR CONTROLS TO YOUR BACK WIPER HOLD THE TOP AND BOTTOM BUTTONS DOWN UNTIL THE AIR STARTS BLOWING OUT OF ALL THE VENTS AT DIFFERENT TIMES LET GO. WHEN IT FINISHES RESETTING ITSELF THE TOP BUTTON WILL START FLASHING VERY SLOW AND THEN PUSH IT TO TURN IT OFF AND YOUR DONE. HOPE THIS HELPS!!
  • spookie37spookie37 Member Posts: 2
    edited September 2011
    MY INTERIOR LIGHTS IN MY 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN KEEP FLASHING IN FRONT BETWEEN THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER WHEN THE DOOR IS OPEN AND IS RUNNING MY BATTERY DOWN. WHAT DO I NEED TO DO? I JUST STOPPED THE BUTTON LIGHTS FROM FLASHING NOW THE OVERHEAD INTERIOR LIGHTS ARE
  • fev1fev1 Member Posts: 4
    2002 with 80k miles in great condition except for this which makes it undriveable - especially in the Georgia heat:
    without warning simultaneously the AC stops, the power windows won't work, the windsheild wipers won't work, AND all of the lights telling you what gear you're in (DRNP) all light up at the same time. The Transmission computer was replaced for $700 but to no avail. Sometimes everything starts working again after driving for a few minutes, but unpredictable. Our dealer has had the car literally for about 2 months now and cannot find the solution. Desperate.
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