QuestionI have a 1999 Town & Country Limited, 3.8 liter, front wheel drive.
In March, the engine light came on. My mechanic hooked up his diagnostic machine, but it would not communicate with my computer. He determined I had a transmission oil leak and fixed it and the car worked fine. (I think info re computer will be important as you read on).
Five weeks ago I tried to start the car and the instrument panel did not work. The car would start, but not stay running. I replaced the instrument panel fuse and the car worked fine. A week later, while I was driving, the gauges stopped working. I replaced the gauge fuse and the car worked fine.
A month later I tried to start the car and the same thing happened again like when the instrument panel didn’t work. The car would start, but not stay running. I tried replacing the fuse, but that didn’t work so I checked other fuses and couldn’t find any that didn’t work. Lights, radio, fan, etc all worked. Then I couldn’t start the car at all.
I had it towed to a new mechanic and they said I need a new PCM ($900). They said it wouldn’t communicate with the transmission or body control module. They said, however, that they drove it into the bay after it was off the tow truck. If the PCM wouldn’t communicate, why would the car start? In talking to other people, they suggest the problem could be a short. If I have the PCM replaced and it is a short, won’t it just short out again and I have replaced the PCM for nothing? One person suggested replacing the PCM with a used one. The mechanic who has the car won’t do that. One person said it is cheaper to start by replacing the PCM rather than looking for a short. I don’t know what I should do?
AnswerI wish u lived close to me because i know what your prob is with out even looking at it. Your mechanic does not have Chrysler experience so he wont have much of a clue to what I am about to tell u. If u can get a hold of the codes that they got from the BCM and the TCM they will be loss of commutation with Tcm and BCM and maybe PCM at times. U replaced the cluster fuse but they were not blown were they? What your real issue is the printed circuit board in teh cluster has a bad solder point or 2 on it replacement and program of a new cluster will fix your issue. A new board will run 450 for the part and about 2 hours labor to install I do this for less on the side plus I can get the part for less then any one else can because I work for the dealer. So bottom line u need no computer just a cluster printed circuit board and if your so called mechanics dont be leave me i will give u my number and I can have a little chat with them if u like. I work in ATlanta
