QuestionQUESTION: My 1997 Chrysler town@country runs great.But there are times when the engine starts but there is no electrical power so it shuts off within 5 seconds.This happens at least once a month,and it's very frustrating.
Please help me!!!!
ANSWER: Hi Edwin,
That sort of behavior is consistent with a situation where the vehicle theft system is not disarming when you open the door, assuming that your have such a system and use it when you secure the van by locking the door with the power locks or door key (which sets the alarm). You may well have a wire that runs from the key lock to the body computer that is broken/flakey, probably at the hinge area. You can try to lock/unlock the passenger side door to see if that will clear the system. To avoid this in the future you can simply lock the van using the interior push button locks rather than the key or power locks, and then the theft system will be out of service.
If this doesn't seem to be the answer then I would get a code readout of the memory of the engine controller for fault codes. An Autozone Parts store may do this for free or a shop can do it on a "special" for around $40. The presence of a fault code may be the quickest way to a solution of the problem.
Roland
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QUESTION: My 1997 Chrysler town@country gas and speedometer gauges are not working.The ABS,CHECK ENGINE LIGHT,ALARM SET, warnings stay on all the time.I tried disconnecting the neg cable from battery to reset the computer it didn't work.I tried changing the fuses that did'nt work.Can you give me some advice of what should I do next.
Thank You
EDWIN
AnswerHi Edwin,
I suspect that one of the two wires that carry the digital signals to operate the gauges is not tightly connected at the instrument cluster due to either a loose plug or a "cold" solder joint where connector attaches to the circuit board. You would need to remove the cluster to check for those two possibilities. The wires are on pins 9 and 10 of the plug and are colored white/black and violet/brown. You might try gently pressing on the cluster to see if the solder connection might reconnect if that were the cause.
The procedure for removing the cluster is different depending upon whether you have the mechanical or electronic indicator of the transmission gear position. It would be helpful to know which one you have so I don't have to type both into my answer. Also, I am busy today and tomorrow with visitors so please write back on Wednesday with that information so I can respond at that time.
If the problem is a "cold" connection then you would need a small solering pencil (available from an electronic parts store) to reheat the connection.
Roland
