QuestionQUESTION: Hi,
I have a 2008 Town and Country that has been working fine up until last week. While parked, I had the car on ACC mode and opened to door to get out and get my daughter out of the back. The horn honked, wipers swished, and windshield fluid squirted out. Only took a few seconds. Then a few days after that, the key fob wouldn't unlock the door for a few minutes. A couple times the instrument panel lights have all lit up, horn honked, and wipers swished. Today was the worst. While driving, the horn continuously honked, wipers swished, and couldn't get the doors unlocked with the button. I turned off the car, and tried turning it back on but everything kept going. It finally stopped, and the engine light stayed on. I was very close to home so I just drove home.
I have read online that some people have had similar problems, and have had to have their Body Control Module replaced, which helped in some cases, and not in others.
Any suggestions??
Thanks!
Gina
ANSWER: Hi Gina,
One possibility to consider first is that this situation may be covered under the manufacturer's warranty which is usually at least 3 years and 36,000 mile and may even be longer. Check the original papers that came with vehicle to see if that might be the case. If it is, go to a dealer and verify that this problem is covered by the warranty and ask for free repair.
If you can't get Chrysler to fix it for free, then making use of the self-diagnostic capability of the body control module by getting a fault code readout from its memory. I think the best thing to do for that is to go to an Autozone part store where they will do a free fault code readout. If that isn't convenient go to an independent garage who will for under $40. Make sure their reader will readout the body controller memory.
I may have a manual that covers whatever code you get, so let me know any fault code numbers. But I do hope that you can take advantage of the original warranty.
Roland
PS Sorry for the delay but I just found your question in the 'pool' to which Kevin had referred it.
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QUESTION: Hi!
Thank you so much. I took the van to the dealer yesterday. He 'flashed' the TIPM which he thought would fix it.
Unfortunately it didn't!! It did the same thing today, so he has asked me to bring it back tomorrow. (Not covered by warranty, unfortunately!)
If it doesn't get fixed by the dealer tomorrow, I will take it to Autozone as you suggest. Do I just ask them to do a readout?
Thanks so much again,
Gina
ANSWER: Hi Gina,
That is correct, at Autozone just ask for a fault code readout, and if possible to have the code reader not only get engine faults but also to seek those from the body computer.
Have you checked the warranty papers to be sure it isn't covered?
You might want to get the Autozone readout before going to the dealer so you might be better 'armed' with information. The main thing is to not give the dealer authorization to fix it regardless of the costs that they run up, but to tell you what their fault readout showed (specifically ask for the fault code number(s) and what the manual says needs to be done to correct that code(s)). Then let me know and we'll compare notes and you can go forward armed with knowledge to limit the costs of the repair.
I have one other idea: I believe that the battery is accessible to you in the engine compartment. If you have a wrench loosen the nut on the clamp that is attached to the battery post labelled (-) and remove the clamp from the post. Then do the same thing at the (+) post, remove the clamp. Then touch and hold the two now free clamps together for a minute. Then reconnect the + clamp to the battery (tighten the nut) and finish by connecting the - clamp to the battery. This technique is called a 'soft reset' of the digital communication system which is how the body control module interacts with the rest of the vehicle systems. This 'soft reset' might do the trick.
Roland
PS If you do the battery clamp disconnections you will notice that the clock is going to have to be reset. Don't be surprised by that.
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Hi again, and thank you!
I didn't see this until just now so...
This morning the dealership replaced the WIN (? is that right?) module. Unfortunately (again) that didn't work as the van had another freak out (as my son calls it).
The dealer told me to bring it again, and on the way it had yet another 'freak out'...this time the brakes engaged for a second and then the car wouldn't shift if I went over 45 mph. It'd go up to 3000-3500 RPMs but not shift down if I went faster. Needless to say...I didn't go faster. :)
The van is in the dealership now over the weekend to get fixed. We have just over 44,400 miles and that's why the parts weren't covered under the warranty. He said, however, if it is a "bad computer", that should be covered.
I am sad I didn't see this until now, otherwise I would've taken it to Autozone first!!
I am curious if maybe they did a 'soft reset' as you suggested...when I got back in the van (before the afternoon freak outs) the time was ahead by 40 mins. ??
THANK YOU again for your help, I really appreciate it. The dealership said that they've never seen this problem with my type of vans before, so ...
:) Thanks!!
Gina
AnswerHi Gina,
That is interesting. Did you get a receipt/work order for the "win" module? Please let me know what it says about the item and labor.
Because it didn't fix the problem they should put the original one back in and give you a refund on the repair. It was apparently the wrong job to do and so you should not be charged for it. Stand firmly on that aspect, even if necessary to small claims court.
I would wonder too how it could be that a 'bad computer' would be covered under warranty but not a 'win' module, whatever that is, would not be covered. Both are presumably electronic control devices. That would be a comeback argument if they won't simply give you back your old one and your money.
I will be interested to see what comes next.
Roland
