QuestionI have a 99 Town & Country with the same anti-theft won't start problem as others. I have yet to find a common answer to this problem.It will do fine for awhile and then all of a sudden start acting up. I have had the van to the Chrysler mechanic and he told us to put a computer in it, which we did and still have this problem. The van will not turn over but all relays will click. The gauges do not work (common problem) and the alarm light is on. We change the ignition switch but that did not help. I believe that it is the Theft system. what can I do.
AnswerHi Steve,
You might try disconnecting the battery for 10 more minutes and see if that provides a very short term fix. I have the '98 body diagnostic manual (which includes a section on troubleshooting the vehicle theft security system) and to implement a remediation requires the use of a Chrysler Diagnostic Readout Box III (DRB III) which plugs into the 16-pin port under the dash just above the accelerator pedal. So if you can find a dealer that owns this $6000 device and someone who has any knowledge of how to use it then you might be able to determine what is the problem. They should begin by selecting "body" and then "body computer" and then see what diagnostic trouble codes appear on the screen. If they don't have the manual let me know what DTC did appear and I can either send the troubleshooting pages for those codes or tell you what they should do to move ahead on this problem based upon that manual.
It the DRB screen is blank, displays a "CCD bus failure", or displays a "no response" then there is a problem with communication between the various components of the body control bus system or the body controller (computer) itself. And there is then a set of tests for that.
If you want to avoid the problem by not activating the system, then never lock the vehicle using the door key or the keyless entry remote or the power door lock switches, but rather just use the manual door lock push buttons like in the good old days. If the system arms itself while driving (the vtss light come on at the dash) then there is a troubleshoot for that.
Because of the complexity of the system the repair can only practically be accomplished with this DRB test tool. I hope this gives you some direction as to how to go from here.
The body controller is the "brain" that tells the engine controller to shut the engine down, so you have to focus on that part of the system. Unfortunately there is no simple way to disconnect it entirely, except perhaps by getting a new body controller that doesn't have the theft security system feature at all. But even then there could be a matter of reprogramming the engine controller to not expect such communications from the body computer any more.
Roland
