QuestionHow do we disable the alarm system on our 97 Chrysler Town & Country Van? The remote does not work, totally broken and trying to unlock with the key doesn't disable it either. Van won't start. We are desperate! Thanks!
AnswerHi Shari,
This is a common problem. Basically there are three door locks that have a connection to that system: the driver door, the passenger door, and the tailgate. I would try to unlock all three, one at a time, to see if any one of them might work. They each are wired to a different pin of the body control module which is the center of the theft system (it instructs the engine controller to cut off the fuel to engine if it believes a thief has gotten in the van). If none of those do it, then try lock/unlock each of the three. Finally, check to see if fuses 2 and 6 in the fuse box under the dash on the driver's side are OK. If not replace the fuse.
If those techniques don't do it then I believe it has to be diagnosed with a digital diagnostic readout box at a dealership.
Do you notice anything else to not be working that is related to the electronics of the body? If not, then a dealer may be the only answer. I will review the body diagnostic manual to see if there is any other disarm techinque. But I would hope that doing a "lock-unlock" on each of the three doors might solve it.
Once you have cleared the alarm then all you have to do is NEVER utilize the power door locks or the door key or the remote to lock the van. Only use your hands to manually lock the buttons on the inside of the doors when you exit. That way the theft system will never arm. There is no way to electrically disconnect the alarm system without buying a new body control module, one for a van that doesn't have a theft system.
But maybe you will find that one of the three doors will do the trick.
Please let me know what luck you have with this approach.
Roland
