Chrysler Repair: Running problems with 1998 Stratus, fuel pump relay, manual gearbox

Question
Hi Roland,

Can you help me? I have bought a 1998 Sebring convertible in the UK. It is a model built for the European market and as such has a 2.0L 16v 4 cylinder engine installed in it, mated to a manual gearbox. I think the engine is the one from the Stratus as the car is badged as a Chrysler Stratus.

Unfortunately it has a running problem. When I try to start the car I switch on the ignition and I hear 2 beeps. I depress the clutch and crank the engine. The engine starts right away and will run for 1 to 2 seconds and then stalls.

I can then turn off the ignition. Switch it back on and again I hear 2 beeps. Then when I crank the engine it again fires, runs for a few seconds and then stalls.

I first suspected a fuel problem and have checked that the engine is getting a steady flow of fuel and it appears that it is. I have checked the power to the fuel pump/relay and it is getting a constant 12volts.

I have located what appears to be an immobiliser unit under the dash, it's a Rockwell. I also have a remote key fob but this does not open/lock the doors. I have tried new batteries in the fob but nothing happens.

Can you help me please?

Regards

Paul


Answer
Hi Paul,
I have received a similar question from other owners of that car. About the only help I can offer is that the vehicle theft security system (VTSS) is supposed to be disarmed by either the keyfob, or by using the door key to lock/unlock either door. The diagnosis of the problem, if using the door key doesn't disarm the system, appears to require a diagnostic readout box (DRB) designed for the Chrysler system (most like a DRB III version) and reference to the body diagnostic procedure manual, neither of which do I own. Clearly your problem is that the system is not disarmed and is cutting off the engine for that reason. Once you get it disarmed you can avoid getting into this trap by only using the door key when securing the vehicle, which by-passes the theft alarm.
The door lock cylinder operates a switch that is connected to the theft module. The wires between those locks and the module are subject to fatigue at the hinge area, so if the system will not disarm it may be possible to repair that area of the wire to re-establish communication between the door lock and the module. The keyfobs need to be programmed into the module to be recognized, which may be why they don't disarm the system. It requires the DRB to do that programming for recognition.
Please let me know how you resolve this problem so that I might share your experience with others.
Roland