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1998 Chrysler Town and Country Start Random Problem

Tiny
RODRIGOMONKEY
  • MEMBER
  • 1998 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 168,000 MILES
I have a problem with a Town & Country 1998 3.8 L

Like other people´s T&C ouwners I have the same problem with a random start problem.

I used the van 1 week and I shut daown and star it about 10 times, after that it doesn´t start any more.

After about five hours it starts again. I´v heard changing the instrument panel will solved the problem.

Do you know how much it cost aproximetly?

Thank you very much

Rodrigo
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Friday, October 24th, 2008 AT 11:07 AM

7 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,755 POSTS
Hi:
I'm not sure what replacing the insturment panel would do to help the car start. Have you had the computer scanned for trouble codes? If not, take the van to a nationally recognized auto parts store and have them scan it for you. Most of the stores will do it for free.

Let me know what you find.

Joe
PS: The people that replaced their insturment panel said this helped because? Let me know.
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Saturday, October 25th, 2008 AT 11:16 PM
Tiny
RODRIGOMONKEY
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Jacoband.

Thank you very much for your answer.

I´v got the van scanned already. When the van doesn´t start they tried to scan the main module with no access to it. They couldn´t access the main computer and got "check the connections to the module or no power".

A day after the van started again an they scanned the main module without problems, but they got no error codes or messages.

What they did, ist to reset the module and load the programs again to the module. " Its what the tacnician said" After a week the problem came again.
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Monday, October 27th, 2008 AT 2:30 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,755 POSTS
Hi Again:
Has anyone checked the fuel pressure when the car doesn't start? It could be a fuel problem, but I feel it has something to do with a sensor. Have you had the van to a dealership? I would like to know output voltage of the map sensor when this happens. It may be causing a slight variation which is within the manufacturers specs and not setting the light, or it may be random.

Ask your mechanic if he has the tools to test the vehicle while it's being driven. That way he could watch how different sensors are reacting.

Let me know what he says and we'll go from there.

Joe
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Monday, October 27th, 2008 AT 3:03 PM
Tiny
RODRIGOMONKEY
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Hallo Joe thank you for your answer.

You recommed to take the van to a mechanic and check the sensor while driving. ´My mechanic doesn ´t have the tools to do that and I asked to other one and they want from me 60 USD just to to have a look. Dou you know any other way to chech the map sensor.

If theres no other way I ´ll pay the machanic to check it.

Thank you very much.

Rodrigo
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Tuesday, October 28th, 2008 AT 6:58 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,755 POSTS
Hi Again:
I wish I had an answer for you other than to try another mechanic, but I don't.

I have to tell you about a conversation I had tonight regarding a similar problem with another customer. He also is having similar problems with the car starting for a short time and then not at all. I made a trip to a local Auto Zone where I am friends with a great mechanic so I could discuss the customer's problem. He told me to check for power to the coil to see if there is power. If there isn't, he recommended replacing the crankshaft sensor.

If you could have your mechanic check the coil for power when the vehicle isn't running, maybe we may have the answer. My only other concern is the ignition module can do the same thing. Years ago, the ignition module would have cost under 20 bucks and all you needed to do was remove one bolt and a plug, and replace it. Today, however, it is part of the PCM (main computer) which means the computer needs replaced. Regardless, the crank sensor is under 40 dollars, plus it's easy to replace.

Let me know what you think.
Joe
PS: positive feedback and votes are appreciated.
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Tuesday, October 28th, 2008 AT 8:38 PM
Tiny
RODRIGOMONKEY
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Jacob.

I had a random start problem in a Town & Country 1998 3.7 L V6.

I read many tries and unsatisfied facts to people when they wanted to solved this problem.

After investigating, I find out the problem is the key. You must use always the original key to start the van, otherwise the alarm is activated.

It happens regulary beacause the van is 10 years old, and owners make copies from the original key which are not identical to the original.

Thats way the mechanic don´t get a error code by scanning the van.

Please, forward this advice to other people who have the same problem, I think there a lot whit the same problem.

If they want some information please write me:
rodrigomonkey@hotmail. Com

Greetings

Rodrigo
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Wednesday, November 19th, 2008 AT 12:06 AM
Tiny
RMENDEZ8
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
This problem is definetly with the Sentry Key Immobilizer System (SKIS). For some reason the car does not recognize your key sometimes and this disables the engine. The car manual says that if this problem occurs, the engine will shut off after 2 seconds. I don't know how much this is going to cost to fix but I'm glad I know what it is.
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Wednesday, November 19th, 2008 AT 7:57 PM

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