GM and VW are famous for designing computers that lock up when the battery is disconnected, then their cars need a tow to the dealer to have them unlocked. To my knowledge that doesn't apply to Chrysler products, but this model isn't exactly all Chrysler, so to be safe, use a memory saver tool. Some are designed to be plugged into the cigarette lighter outlet or power outlet, but that will only work if those outlets remain live all the time without the need to have the ignition switch on. If the ignition switch needs to be on for those outlets to work, the little 9-volt battery will try to power all the computers and anything else that turns on at that time. That will melt the battery into a puddle of sweat.
Another type plugs into the data link connector under the steering column. That should have a 12-volt terminal that is always live.
I use a small portable battery charger connected to the battery cable clamps, but there are risks with this method. The first obvious one is if a clamp pops off or if the two cables short together. The second is unlike the steady DC current supplied by a battery, chargers put out a rectified sine wave that goes from 0 volts to around 18 volts, then back to 0 volts 120 times per second. Most computers can tolerate that and they will smooth that out to a more steady DC voltage, but you'll want to leave the charger on its lowest setting. The higher settings will develop higher voltages, possibly more than 24 volts, and that is getting close to more than computers can tolerate.
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Saturday, April 20th, 2019 AT 3:16 PM
