Starter would not engage. Had it towed to the shop

Tiny
DAQMAN1202
  • MEMBER
  • 2006 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 61,000 MILES
Hi.I have a 2006 Chrysler T & C, bought used 4 months ago and over the last 4 weeks, its been in and out of 4 shops for this problem. The first occurence happened in front of my house where the van wouldn't start. Starter would not engage. Had it towed to the shop. The found that the 10 amp fuse tied to the ignition system was blown. They replace that and it started for them. They couldn't find the problem. The second time, it cut off on me after turning a corner and trying to merge into traffic. Had it towed to dealer, they replaced the fuse and it began to start consistently for them. They couldn't find the problem either. The third time, it cut off on me while doing 50 mph. I replaced that 10 amp fuse but it still wouldn't start. Had it towed to a different dealer and they couldn't get it to fail on them. Couldn't find the problem. As it's unreliable, I've taken it to yet another mechanic for them to look at and that's where it is now. I've heard mentioned a question about the TIPM module, but that was ruled out. The one dealer claims they traced from the ignition to the BCM and couldn't find any breaks in the wiring or anything. Given how it's shut down on 3 different occasions at different stages, I'm rather afraid to trust it. Also, I noticed when it seems to fail and blows that fuse, the gauges occasionally flicker back and forth erratically. At the time when it fails, the fuse would not blow until I turn the key to the on position, not even attempting to start it. Please help! It's a nice van, but I'm afraid to drive it for fear of getting stranded.

Thanks!
Thursday, July 22nd, 2010 AT 10:52 PM

5 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,640 POSTS
It sounds like there is a problem with the pcm. Have they checked for wiring problems or corrosion there?
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Monday, August 31st, 2020 AT 1:05 PM
Tiny
DAQMAN1202
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
The first shop did mention something about an unusual amount of battery corrosion underneath the battery. I'm not sure where the PCM is located. Is the PCM the same as the BCM? The 3rd shop says (today) said they checked the wiring from the ignition to the BCM and didn't see any breaks.
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Monday, August 31st, 2020 AT 1:05 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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They are different. One is a body control module, the other power control module.
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Monday, August 31st, 2020 AT 1:05 PM
Tiny
DAQMAN1202
  • MEMBER
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If there were a problem with the PCM, would it put out a trouble code or something? That's one thing that all 3 shops are saying is that there are no trouble codes showing up which makes diagnosing the problem even harder.
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Monday, August 31st, 2020 AT 1:05 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,640 POSTS
Actually, it mayu or may not. And they are being honest when they say it is making the job harder. With the newer cars, there are so many sensors, modules. That without a code, it becomes a guessing game.
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Monday, August 31st, 2020 AT 1:05 PM

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