I tried to jump start but car would not start as well as no lights on dashboard?

VM8642

MEMBER
2006 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY
3.3L
6 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
62,000 MILES

My van is the LX model. Two months ago car electrical quit working. No power on dashboard either completely out. I tried to jump start but car would not start as well as no lights on dashboard. I replaced battery next day and car started. So, I thought the issue was battery. But, few days later, I tried to start the car and it would not start again completely drained. Tried to jump start again but it would not start again. Removed battery terminals and reconnected, car started and worked fine for few days. These has been happening for a while and it scary sometimes on what is causing the car suddenly to have no power but full power and starts working once battery terminal is removed and reattached. I took the car to show to few places they ran some checks but no issues found. Basically car would work fine for few days and will not just start some day. I am not sure what changes when the battery terminal are removed and replaced resulting in car to start working.

Will not start but gets the power back and start once the battery terminal are removed and reattached.

3 Replies

AL514

MECHANIC
4,699 POSTS

Hi there, this may be a bit complex, but removing the battery cables and reattaching them is resetting the ECM every time. It sounds like you may have a bad ECM ground or power issue, or power relay. That is where I would start with this. If you are up to it, you will have to get wiring diagrams and test circuits for power and ground, there may be corroded wires or fuses causing such an intermittent problem. This issue can be hard to find if the problem is not happening when you bring it into the shop. You may just start with checking the back of fuse panels and relays under the hood for any corrosion.

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Monday, August 31st, 2020 AT 1:05 PM

VM8642

MEMBER
2 POSTS

I checked the fuse panels and relays under the hood and there seems no be no corrosion. Could it be the battery in the key that may be going bad and needs replacing? Keys are original keys when we bought the car new in 2006 and have not been replaced since then.
Also, few things I noticed in the last week:
1) Car is not drained when I open the car using the remote button on the keys, I am still able to open the car but the car would shut off immediately as soon as I try to turn it on (not even a proper click and nothing). Then removing and reattaching the battery terminal will allow me to start the car again. All I had to do this time was to remove and reattach negative terminal. Is it okay to do that or I must remove positive terminal as well before reattaching?
2) The distance at which the key would work remotely to open the car has also reduced. I could open the car from more than twenty feet but not I have to be very close to the car for the keys to work to open the car using the key remote.

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Monday, August 31st, 2020 AT 1:05 PM

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
47,690 POSTS

Hello,

This sound like the TIPM needs to be replaced which is a big problem with these cars. Here is the location and instructions needed to do the job:

Pull the FCM straight from the PDC assembly to disconnect the electrical connector and remove the FCM from the vehicle.
INSTALLATION

Note: Front Control Module must be programmed to the correct radio EQ curve using the DRBIII(R). This will ensure that the audio system is operating correctly.

Install the Front Control Module (FCM) in the Power Distribution Center (PDC) assembly by pushing the 49-way electrical connector straight in.
Install the FCM retaining screws. Torque the screws to 1 N.M (7 in. Lbs).
Rotate the IPM assembly downward to secure in mounting bracket.
Install the battery in the vehicle. Refer to the procedure in Battery.
Connect the positive and negative battery cables.
Using the DRBIII(R), under "front control module" then "MISC" program the EQ curve of the radio into the Front Control Module.
Note: If the vehicle is not equipped with Name Brand Speakers (Infinity, etc.) Or Headlamp Washers the DRBIII(R) must be used to Disable the appropriate relays in the Integrated Power Module Assembly.

Check out the diagrams (below). Please let us know what happens.

Cheers, Ken

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