QuestionSomehow my 2004 Chrysler Cncorde Lmited won't start- It cranks fine with an almost new battery but won't start.It doesn't seem to be getting gas. Later in day it starts fine.
I tried to reset the Sentry anti-theft system by locking and unlocking the front door with a key, without successs.
Itook the car to the dealer who could find no problem (charge me $90 with no result). They told me to have it towed in if it happened again. It has happened twice in the last month, the last time the steering wheeland shift handle were frozen in place.Tere was no activity from the recently new battery.i don't know what I am doing wrong, but i seem to be setting off the anti-theft security system somehow. Any suggestions?
AnswerHi Chris,
The anti-theft system typically doesn't prevent starting, rather it allows starting but then shuts down the engine in 2 to 3 seconds. Similarly, the shift handle/steering wheel frozen is not part of the sentry key system, rather it is a separate interconnection between the ignition switch, shifter, and brake pedal. It may be that system needs adjustment also, but that shouldn't prevent the engine from starting.
I wonder if the dealer found any fault codes; did they happen to say?
My suggestion would be to try and get a fault code readout of the memories of the engine and the body control units. Try using the ignition switch:"on-off-on-off-on and leave on, doing that in 5 seconds or less elapsed time. Then watch to odometer window to see if the mileage reading is replaced by any 4-digit numbers. If not, then stop at a nationwide autoparts dealer such as Autozone and ask for a free readout using a plug-in code reader. Either way, let me know of any 4-digit code numbers preceded by a P or a B.
If there are no fault codes then I would suspect that the exhaust gas recirculation (egr) valve is hanging up slightly ajar rather than closing tightly when you turn off the engine. That then causes a too lean mixture when you susequently try to start it. As the temp warms it may then close spontaneously which would explain the late in the day starting phenomenon. Removing and cleaning that egr valve would be worth a try. Let me know and i can send a page or two from the manual which shows it and how to remove it. Let me know the displacement (L) size of your engine.
Also, to send the pages as an attachment to an email I need to know your email address. To tell me you need to ask a NEW and PRIVATE question (not a follow-up and public question). Then in the body of the message tell me your email address. If you don't follow these instructions exactly I will not get your email address.
Roland
Roland
