Chrysler Repair: 96 Cirrus starter wont crank engine..., compressor clutch, engine controller


Question
My car has been pretty good for me for a long time now. It usually has a pretty hard time starting. It takes a few seconds to start up but it always does. I have a ridulous security system where I have to unlock my doors from the passenger side door and if i dont my car will not start! I went to start it today and it wouldn't start, it turned over a few times and now it just clicks when i turn it over. Everything else is working fine to show that there is nothing wrong with the battery. I did the code thing and i think i got 3-3-5-5 but im not sure if I read it all or not. I just went and checked it again to make sure the code and this time it says 1-2-5-5
Can you please tell me whats wrong? I think it could be my starter or something to due with my security system maybe. Please let me know thank you.  

Answer
I suspect that your battery is either discharged or getting near the end of its useful life but in either case you need to either try charging it or replacing it if it is indeed near the end of its warranty life. The cold weather also means the battery will loose power.
The 33 code means there is a problem with the a/c compressor clutch. The 12 means that sometime in the recent past the voltage to the engine controller has either been
disconnected or perhaps dropped down so low as to appear to be disconnected which is consistent with a weak battery. The 55 code means "end of readout".
The security system issue is caused by the wire from the driver's door lock has become disconnected or broken. But the passenger side will also work so that is normal. That is not causing your problem because an alarmed system will allow the engine to start and run, but only for 3 seconds, not fail to start.
So check out the battery and either charge it or consider replacing it.
Roland