QuestionI have a 98' Chrysler Town & Country. Twice now when I have went to start the engine it starts for a couple seconds then stop running, yet the lights and radio work, but the gages don't move or the odometer and shift light stay off. After sitting for hours it starts right up, and the computer diagnostic checker displays no codes. Then twice while driving, the gages all dropped and the odometer and shift lights went out again the radio and other lights worked and I was still able to drive. The alarm set light and the ABS light both appear on the dash. What could be the problem? I have a repair manual but am unable to find anything...please help!
AnswerHi Callie,
I think that there is a power supply problem/false alarm that involves the body computer such that the theft system is alarmed which prompts the quick die-off of the engine (that is exactly how the van is protected from being driven away by a thief). If you have set the alarm before you experienced this symptom that would be a logical conclusion.
I am limited to the Haynes manual which has no specific text about the theft alarm but does show some of the other circuits.
I would begin by verifying that fuse 28 (10 amp) in the power distribution center doesn't have a crack in its wire and is seated firmly in its socket. Then I would check the ground point for the dash and the body computer which is located behind the trim panel that is just in front of the driver's door, near the floor. You should find a group of black, black/light green wires that are bolted to the inner body sheet metal so check that they are clean and tightly connected at that point.
Then I would try setting the alarm system and once it is set try to pull on the front doors and the tail gate door to see if you can set off the alarm by the mere pressure of pulling on the handles. That would indicate that the door is not securely latched sufficiently to prevent a false alarm. There is a pushbutton at the door frame that has to be firmly depressed by the door or it sends a false ajar signal to the body computer that would cause an alarm.
Also check to make sure that the battery clamps are clean, shiney, and tight. An interruption in that supply during an armed setting of the theft system will cause a false alarm too.
Those are my ideas for what might be going on here.
Please let me know if you find something that sheds light on the problem. It is quite common that I get this question from van owners.
Roland
Okay, I really appreciate how fast you responded to my question, but just to put another option on the table...what if you leave out the part I wrote about the alarm set and ABS lights turning on...Is there something else besides the security system that would cause the van to start for only a couple seconds then shut off 4-6 times, then after that not even turn over at all. I told your previous answer to my husband and he says that those lights always come on if it's not running. So he says it has nothing to do with the security system...Any ideas on what else it might be?
Hi Callie,
No, I feel that the theft alarm is in the middle of this. The fact that it can be started three times, then won't even crankover after that is consistent with an alarmed theft system. Chrysler added a theft module-controlled second starter motor relay in series with the regular relay for this very purpose around '95 so that it would not only start and quickly die but also you could only try three times before the starter would then no longer activate... until the owner returned with the key and cancelled the alarm state. You could try locking/unlocking either front door the next time this happens to see if that clears it.
So my best ideas are in the original response and this one. Ask you husband to give them a try.
Roland
