QuestionQUESTION: Hi. I recently took my 2008 caravan in for a safety recall on the airbag sensor. My van has 2 flip down screens in the back seat (very useful with 3 kiddos!!) When I got the van back, I did not notice an issue until I tried to take my kids to school the next morning. The van was completely dead. After getting a jump start from a neighbor, I realized that the screen in the second row was not turning off when the van was off. it was completely draining my battery, even if the screen was closed. Yesterday, I had to call my husband away from a Dr's appt at the VA (he is a disabled vet) to give me a jump start in the grocery store parking lot. Much to my 15 month old's disappointment, the screen that wouldn't turn off now will not turn on. On a positive note, however, my battery was not dead when I got up to take my 1st and 5th graders to school (;
Can you please help? My youngest cries every time we get in the van because she has gotten so used to being able to watch her favorite movie while we drive. The older two kids don't care, they just moved to the 3rd row where the screen is working fine! Thank you so much in advance for taking the time to read and help.....
-Nicole
ANSWER: I will look at the wiring diagrams and see what I can suggest. Do you recall where the airbag sensor defect was located inside the van so that I might understand what work was done and how that could have impacted the screen?
Roland
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QUESTION: I only know it was the passenger side airbag. When I called the dealership, they said they would be happy to look at it for the normal service fees because they said there was no way they could have caused the issue where they were working in the van. But, the problem only started after they did whatever they did! Thanks again-Nicole
AnswerHi Nicole,
I would contest their opinion about this failure. It could be coincidental but I believe that there insted could be a relationship between servicing the airbag and malfunction of the video units.
They should at a minimum run a FREE fault code readout of the body computer module so as to get a fault code number that explains what the module thinks is the cause of the video malfunction. Once that number is known (ask them for the number which is 4-digits preceded by a B) we will then be in a position to know where the cause of it may be located and assess whether what service they did on the airbag unit might be responsible. Ask them where the mechanic worked when the air bag issue was corrected and also what was the exact number of the recall that was done.
Knowing that B number may allow me to suggest what the repair would be which you could possibly do yourself. These systems are complex but do have self-diagnostics which can simplify repairs But we need the fault code number and I believe they should at least do the fault code readout, for free, so we can then decide whether or not their repair caused the fault code.
If they won't do the free readout then ask them for the name of the Chrysler Corp regional representative who handles complaints about dealer servicing/recall servicing issues. That will show them you are serious about getting to the bottom of this problem.
Thanks for the rating and nomination.
Roland
