Rick's Free Auto Repair Advice » Chrysler

Dodge Caliber SRT4 check engine light

Rick — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 22:24:25 +0000

Owners of 2008 Dodge Caliber SRT 4 models complain of a check engine light that translates in to a specific cylinder misfire code. If the 2.4L turbocharged vehicle was built before 4/18/08, the problem is likely due to a software glitch. Re-flashing the PCM with the most current software is the only way to fix the problem.

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Jeep Grand Cherokee airbag light on

Rick — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 17:03:22 +0000

Shops are reporting a high failure rate on clocksprings on these vehicles. The trouble code shows that the Driver’s side squib has an open circuit. To determine whether the problem lies in the clockspring or the airbag itself, perform this test:

Disconnect the battery and wait for the airbag system to power down (2 minutes). Remove the driver’s side airbag and put it in a safe location. Unplug the 2-wire connector going into the clockspring from the airbag control module (you are bypassing the clockspring). Install a dummy “load resistor” of 2.5 ohms into the connector. Clear the airbag code. Then recheck the codes. If the code is gone, replace the clockspring

The Jeep clockspring is NOT covered by the Caravan clockspring recall. Follow all installation instructions when installing the new clockspring or you can damage it.
NEVER spray any lubricant into the clockspring. It can damage the mylar coating on the ribbon cable

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AC lights blinking on heater control Chrysler Minivans

Rick — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 22:41:44 +0000

If the battery is disconnected on Chrysler minivans, the blend and mode door actuator motors “forget” their position and must be recalibrated. Thankfully, you don’t need a scan tool to do this. Just follow these steps:

1. Start the engine and set the blower motor to high.
2. Set the mode position to PANEL.
3. Open all the A/C outlets and set temperature to COLD. Move both sliders if van is equipped with passenger controls.
4. Push and hold the REAR WASHER and the REAR WIPER buttons SIMULTANEOUSLY for 5 seconds. All the LEDs will light. The unit will start calibrating.
5. The calibration is done when just the rear wiper LED is flashing. To exit the calibration program, push the rear wiper button once. If the lights continue to flash, the program has detected a problem and you must refer to a trouble code chart

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ABS issues, how to bleed ABS brakes

Airbag issues or SRS light on

Alternator issues or how to test

Belt diagram or serpentine belt issues

Blower motor

Blower motor resistor

Brakes, brake issues, what kind of brake parts to buy, ABS issues

Car Alarms or Antitheft systems

Cooling system, Water pump, What type of coolant to use

Engine flush

Firing order, cylinder layout, finding #1 cylinder

MAF or MAP sensor

Oxygen sensors, How they work, How to change, How to test

PassLock or Passkey

Thermostat issues

Transmission flush

Serpentine belt diagrams

Window issues, power window motor, replace window regulator, glass adhesive

Chrysler Heater A/C Control Calibration Routine

Rick — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 19:33:41 +0000

The blend and mode doors on late model Chrysler vehicles are driven by DC servo motors. If the motors get out of synchronization, the control head doesn't know where they are. That can result in cold air when you command heat and vice versa. It can also screw up where the air blows.

Here's how to perform a calibration routine on Caravan, Voyager, and Town and Country. It works on many other Chrysler products as well.

1. Turn Ignition switch to ON

2) Press both the POWER and RECIRCULATE buttons at the SAME time and HOLD for at least 5 seconds.

3) The POWER and RECIRCULATION lights will flash

4) Calibration should take about about 2 minutes to complete if you have heater control and about 20-seconds if you have Automatic Temp Control system.

5) If lights continue to flash AFTER 3 minutes (manual system) or 20-seconds (Auto system), the control unit has detected a failure. You need a scan tool to pull the trouble codes (Thanks Chrysler). If there's a trouble code stored, the lights will CONTINUE to flash until the unit completes a successful calibration OR until the vehicle has driven 8 miles.

If your Chrysler vehicle doesn't have this setup, contact me and I'll look up the procedure for your particular vehicle.

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Hover your mouse over the REPAIR ARTICLES tab at the top of the page. The click on DIAGNOSTICS to search by SYMPTOM, TROUBLE CODE, or read TECH TIPS on how to diagnose a problem

Click on MAKE an MODEL to see all the articles I've written for your vehicle
Click on REPAIR TOPICS to read individual articles written for specific automotive systems

If you've had your car scanned and know the trouble code go to TROUBLE CODES

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ABS issues, how to bleed ABS brakes

Airbag issues or SRS light on

Alternator issues or how to test

Belt diagram or serpentine belt issues

Blower motor

Blower motor resistor

Brakes, brake issues, what kind of brake parts to buy, ABS issues

Car Alarms or Antitheft systems

Cooling system, Water pump, What type of coolant to use

Engine flush

Firing order, cylinder layout, finding #1 cylinder

MAF or MAP sensor

Oxygen sensors, How they work, How to change, How to test

PassLock or Passkey

Thermostat issues

Transmission flush

Serpentine belt diagrams

Window issues, power window motor, replace window regulator, glass adhesive

P0401 EGR Code on Dodge Caravan, Plymouth Voyager, Town and Country 3.3L and 3.8L

Rick — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 00:58:32 +0000

Shops are reporting consistent EGR and P0401 trouble codes on 1996-2001 Chrysler minivans. These EGR valves are vacuum operated and the valve operation is measured by a pressure transducer. To check the EGR, start the engine and apply vacuum to the EGR valve. The valve should open, allowing exhaust to flow into the intake manifold. That should make the engine run rough or stall completely. If it does that, then the EGR valve itself is working. Next, unplug the EGR backpressure transducer. Start the engine and restrict the tailpipe. Once again, the engine should run rough and stall. If it doesn't, replace the backpressure transducer.

Get a new EGR valve for these vehicles

Standard Motor Parts #EGV596

Chrysler Town & Country (00-96)
Chrysler Voyager / Grand Voyager (00)
Dodge Light Truck Caravan / Grand Caravan (00-96)
Plymouth Voyager / Grand Voyager (00-96)

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Hover your mouse over the REPAIR ARTICLES tab at the top of the page. The click on DIAGNOSTICS to search by SYMPTOM, TROUBLE CODE, or read TECH TIPS on how to diagnose a problem

Click on MAKE an MODEL to see all the articles I've written for your vehicle
Click on REPAIR TOPICS to read individual articles written for specific automotive systems

If you've had your car scanned and know the trouble code go to TROUBLE CODES

Here are some quick links to speed up your research

Click on the link below for speedy navigation:

ABS issues, how to bleed ABS brakes

Airbag issues or SRS light on

Alternator issues or how to test

Belt diagram or serpentine belt issues

Blower motor

Blower motor resistor

Brakes, brake issues, what kind of brake parts to buy, ABS issues

Car Alarms or Antitheft systems

Cooling system, Water pump, What type of coolant to use

Engine flush

Firing order, cylinder layout, finding #1 cylinder

MAF or MAP sensor

Oxygen sensors, How they work, How to change, How to test

PassLock or Passkey

Thermostat issues

Transmission flush

Serpentine belt diagrams

Window issues, power window motor, replace window regulator, glass adhesive

Chrysler P0720 Output Speed Sensor Circuit Malfunction

Rick — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 01:49:12 +0000

The output speed sensor on the transmission tells the computer how well the transmission converted the input torque to output RPMs. If the output doesn't correlate to the input torque, engine RPM, and road speed, the computer assumes there's a problem internal to the tranmssion. Rather than allow the transmission to tear itself up, it can put the transmission into limited operation.

The output speed sensor normally puts out an AC current. To read it, you'll need an automotive scope. But these sensor may read just fine on a scope and still fail due to high internal resistance. So, instead of wasting your time with the recommended scope test, simply test for resistance. Disconnect the electrical connector from the sensor and check for less than 800 ohms. If your reading exceeds 800, replace the sensor

Alldatadiy.com

eautorepair.net

Both Alldata and Eautorepair offer professional grade shop manuals at a price you can afford. Check them out!.

Hover your mouse over the REPAIR ARTICLES tab at the top of the page. The click on DIAGNOSTICS to search by SYMPTOM, TROUBLE CODE, or read TECH TIPS on how to diagnose a problem

Click on MAKE an MODEL to see all the articles I've written for your vehicle
Click on REPAIR TOPICS to read individual articles written for specific automotive systems

If you've had your car scanned and know the trouble code go to TROUBLE CODES

Here are some quick links to speed up your research

Click on the link below for speedy navigation:

ABS issues, how to bleed ABS brakes

Airbag issues or SRS light on

Alternator issues or how to test

Belt diagram or serpentine belt issues

Blower motor

Blower motor resistor

Brakes, brake issues, what kind of brake parts to buy, ABS issues

Car Alarms or Antitheft systems

Cooling system, Water pump, What type of coolant to use

Engine flush

Firing order, cylinder layout, finding #1 cylinder

MAF or MAP sensor

Oxygen sensors, How they work, How to change, How to test

PassLock or Passkey

Thermostat issues

Transmission flush

Serpentine belt diagrams

Window issues, power window motor, replace window regulator, glass adhesive

Headlights flicker on vehicle with daytime running lights

Rick — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 18:02:10 +0000

Every manufacturer has their share of problems with daytime running lights. Basically the system senses that the vehicle is running and the headlight switch is off. Programmed conclusion? Must be daylight, otherwise the driver would turn on the headlights. Other systems have light sensors. The Chrysler Daytime Running Light system gets screwed up by corrosion in the intelligent power module. Some GM vehicles fail due to a cracked Daytime Running Light resistor (computer provides power to the headlights, but runs it through a resistor to cut down on the headlamp brightness). Still another GM system runs the headlight commands through Daytime Running Lamp Module located behind the left side of the instrument panel. This module contains a diode that has a high failure rate. The module sends a command to the Daytime Running Lamps Relay located in the convenience center (firewall passenger side).

If you have the latter system, remove the relay and insert a jumper wire across the power terminals. See Relay Layout. If that fixes the problem, replace the relay. If it doesn’t, replace the Daytime Running Lamp Module.

Alldatadiy.com

eautorepair.net

Both Alldata and Eautorepair offer professional grade shop manuals at a price you can afford. Check them out!.

Hover your mouse over the REPAIR ARTICLES tab at the top of the page. The click on DIAGNOSTICS to search by SYMPTOM, TROUBLE CODE, or read TECH TIPS on how to diagnose a problem

Click on MAKE an MODEL to see all the articles I've written for your vehicle
Click on REPAIR TOPICS to read individual articles written for specific automotive systems

If you've had your car scanned and know the trouble code go to TROUBLE CODES

Here are some quick links to speed up your research

Click on the link below for speedy navigation:

ABS issues, how to bleed ABS brakes

Airbag issues or SRS light on

Alternator issues or how to test

Belt diagram or serpentine belt issues

Blower motor

Blower motor resistor

Brakes, brake issues, what kind of brake parts to buy, ABS issues

Car Alarms or Antitheft systems

Cooling system, Water pump, What type of coolant to use

Engine flush

Firing order, cylinder layout, finding #1 cylinder

MAF or MAP sensor

Oxygen sensors, How they work, How to change, How to test

PassLock or Passkey

Thermostat issues

Transmission flush

Serpentine belt diagrams

Window issues, power window motor, replace window regulator, glass adhesive

Engine stalls several times right after filling tank with gas, Chrysler Minivan

Rick — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 02:57:10 +0000

Shops are reporting a problem with the gas tank on Dodge Caravan, Grand Caravan, Plymouth Voyager, and Town and Country vans. Shortly after refueling, drivers experience engine stalling. The stalling may repeat several times.

The problem is the vapor/liquid separator valve located at the top of the fuel tank. The valve is designed to prevent liquid fuel from entering the charcoal canister/emissions system. When the valve fails, liquid gas can enter the line and fill the charcoal canister.

After refueling the PCM on the vehicle detects a change in fuel level. Then, when the engine meets certain temperature and driving criteria, the PCM issues a purge command to the charcoal canister to remove the stored gas vapors. It’s at that point that all the liquid gas in the line gets sucked into the charcoal canister. The PCM expects to see gas vapors entering the intake manifold and it is prepared to adjust air/fuel mixtures to compensate. However, it is not prepared to see liquid gas coming into the intake. That’s what causes the engine to stall.

Unfortunately, the ONLY fix is to replace the entire gas tank. Chrysler does NOT sell the vapor/liquid valve as a separate unit. Once the tank is replaced and the charcoal canister purged, the problem goes away.

Alldatadiy.com

eautorepair.net

Both Alldata and Eautorepair offer professional grade shop manuals at a price you can afford. Check them out!.

Hover your mouse over the REPAIR ARTICLES tab at the top of the page. The click on DIAGNOSTICS to search by SYMPTOM, TROUBLE CODE, or read TECH TIPS on how to diagnose a problem

Click on MAKE an MODEL to see all the articles I've written for your vehicle
Click on REPAIR TOPICS to read individual articles written for specific automotive systems

If you've had your car scanned and know the trouble code go to TROUBLE CODES

Here are some quick links to speed up your research

Click on the link below for speedy navigation:

ABS issues, how to bleed ABS brakes

Airbag issues or SRS light on

Alternator issues or how to test

Belt diagram or serpentine belt issues

Blower motor

Blower motor resistor

Brakes, brake issues, what kind of brake parts to buy, ABS issues

Car Alarms or Antitheft systems

Cooling system, Water pump, What type of coolant to use

Engine flush

Firing order, cylinder layout, finding #1 cylinder

MAF or MAP sensor

Oxygen sensors, How they work, How to change, How to test

PassLock or Passkey

Thermostat issues

Transmission flush

Serpentine belt diagrams

Window issues, power window motor, replace window regulator, glass adhesive

Chrysler updates spark plug recommendation

Rick — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 02:09:23 +0000

Chrysler has issued a TSB #08-008-04 that changes the recommended spark plugs for 2003-04 Chrysler Sebring and Stratus, 2002-04 Jeep Liberty and Cherokee, 2003-04 PT Cruiser, 2003-04 Chrysler Voyager, 2003-04 Town and Country, Dodge Caravan, and Plymouth Voyager vans, and 2003-04 Jeep Wrangle. All of the affected vehicles have the 2.4L engine.

The new spark plug is RD16MC (gap 0.40"). Chrysler also recommends installing a new set of spark plug wires at the same time since old boots can take a thermal set to the spark plug. Once that happens, the high voltage can spill out of the "set" and cause secondary ignition flashover.

Alldatadiy.com

eautorepair.net

Both Alldata and Eautorepair offer professional grade shop manuals at a price you can afford. Check them out!.

Hover your mouse over the REPAIR ARTICLES tab at the top of the page. The click on DIAGNOSTICS to search by SYMPTOM, TROUBLE CODE, or read TECH TIPS on how to diagnose a problem

Click on MAKE an MODEL to see all the articles I've written for your vehicle
Click on REPAIR TOPICS to read individual articles written for specific automotive systems

If you've had your car scanned and know the trouble code go to TROUBLE CODES

Here are some quick links to speed up your research

Click on the link below for speedy navigation:

ABS issues, how to bleed ABS brakes

Airbag issues or SRS light on

Alternator issues or how to test

Belt diagram or serpentine belt issues

Blower motor

Blower motor resistor

Brakes, brake issues, what kind of brake parts to buy, ABS issues

Car Alarms or Antitheft systems

Cooling system, Water pump, What type of coolant to use

Engine flush

Firing order, cylinder layout, finding #1 cylinder

MAF or MAP sensor

Oxygen sensors, How they work, How to change, How to test

PassLock or Passkey

Thermostat issues

Transmission flush

Serpentine belt diagrams

Window issues, power window motor, replace window regulator, glass adhesive

Headlights and Daytime Running Light Problems in Dodge Caravan

Rick — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:21:32 +0000

Never had problems with your headlights in your old vehicle? Well, now you know why Chrysler is circling the drain. They’ve made the system so complicated that in some cases you need a scan tool to find out what’s wrong. Don’t own a $3,000 scan tool? Well, you can still do some of your own diagnostics. But first you have to understand the method behind Chrysler’s madness.

It’s like Old Mcdonald’s Farm

Chrysler wants every switch to go through a computer. Then one computer talks to another. The first computer is called the Body Control Module. It is the first stop for controlling all these functions:

Overhead console buttons, Remote keyless entry, Left Rear Lamp Assembly, Left stop/turn signal relay, Right combination relay, Right Rear Lamp Assembly, Left Front Door Lock Motor/Ajar Switch, Left Sliding Door Lock Motor, Left Sliding Door Lock Motor/Ajar Switch, Right Front Door Lock Motor/Ajar Switch, Front Reading Lamps/Switch, License Lamp, Power Liftgate Module, Rear Wiper Motor, Right Sliding Door Control Module, Right Sliding Door Lock Motor, Right Sliding Door Lock Motor/Ajar Switch, Center Dome Lamp, Left B-Pillar Switch, Left Rear Reading Lamp,
Liftgate Cylinder Lock Switch, Right B-Pillar Switch, Right Mid Reading Lamp, Right Rear Reading Lamp, Left Sliding Door Control Module, Left Cylinder Lock Switch,
Rear Automatic Temperature Control Switch, Rear Blower Rear Control Switch,
Right Cylinder Lock Switch, Right Sliding Door Control Module, Driver Heated Seat Module, Headlamp Switch, Overhead Console, Passenger Heated Seat Module Diagnostic Junction Port, Driver Door Lock Switch, Driver Heated Seat Module,
Hood Ajar Switch, Left Liftgate Flood Lamp, Liftgate Ajar Switch, Liftgate Cinch/Release Motor, Right Liftgate Flood Lamp, Center Dome Lamp, Controller Anti-Lock Brake, Floor Console Lamp, Front Reading Lamps/Switch, Left Visor/Vanity Lamp, Right Visor/Vanity Lamp, Left Mid Reading Lamp, Left Rear Reading Lamp,
Right Mid Reading Lamp, Right Rear Reading Lamp, Driver Door Courtesy Lamp,
Driver Door Lock Switch, Fuel Pump Module, Passenger Door Courtesy Lamp,
Passenger Door Lock Switch, Power Mirror Switch, Glove Box Lamp, Rear Automatic Temperature Control Switch

After getting inputs from all those switches and sensors, the BCM sends a digital signal to ANOTHER computer to do the actual switching. In the case of headlights, the BCM sends its digital signals to the front control module (FCM) located in the intelligent power module (IPM). Got that?

How the headlights work

The headlight switch doesn’t actually do any switching. It’s built with a series of resistors. The switch has 12volts coming into it. As you move the switch, the resistors reduce the voltage, depending on where you set the switch—high beams, low beams, parking lights, flashers, etc. The BCM sees the reduced voltages and signals the FCM to switch the power on and off to the lights. Here are the most common headlight problems and how to diagnose them

One headlight works on low beam and another on high beam. Or the lights work erratically.

Start your diagnostics by removing the FCM located in the IPM. You’re going to bypass that module and try to “hotwire” the headlights yourself to eliminate the possibility of a bad FCM. After you pull the FCM, look at the connector on the front of the IPM. You’ll be looking for terminals with numbers 1-9 on the bottom row. The numbers start at the center and count upwards towards the driver’s fender.

Attach a wire to the battery + terminal and touch the other end to terminals 3, 4, 5, and 6 one at a time. Check for headlight operation. Terminal 3 is the left low beam, 4 is the right high beam, 5 is the left high beam, and 6 is the right low beam. If the lights work, that indicates that the IPM is working properly and all the wiring is intact. The problem lies in the FCM, BCM, or the multifunction switch. However, the FCM is the most likely culprit.

If one of the lights does NOT work, then you have to check the green wiring connector located at the bottom of the IPM. You want to make sure you’re getting power through the IPM and into the wiring harness. So, as you jumper each terminal, check for the same voltage on the white/dark blue wire for left low beam, white/light green for left high beam, white/grey wire for right high beam, and white/tan wire for right low beam.

If you get power on all those wires but the headlights STILL don’t light up, then move on to this next step. The IPM provides both power and ground. The ground wire for the left headlight is black/green, and the ground for the right headlight is black/tan. The IPM ground wires are black/white and black/yellow. So, provide an alternate ground to the IPM. If it starts working, that indicates a bad ground on one of the IPM’s ground wires. If that still doesn’t fix the problem, provide an alternate ground to the headlight ground wires. If they work, then the problem is either an open ground wire between the IPM and the headlight, or a bad IPM.

Headlights flashing

This indicates a screwed up FCM. Just like your computer can get locked in a loop, so can the FCM. To “reboot” the FCM, disconnect the battery terminals and touch them together. This procedure shuts off the power and drains all the capacitors in the system. If the problem recurs, you must take the vehicle in to have the software updated. This is covered by TSB # 08-005-04. It is a software screwup where the computer thinks the vehicle has a factory alarm, when it really doesn’t. You’ll have to pay for the reprogramming (of course).

Alldatadiy.com

eautorepair.net

Both Alldata and Eautorepair offer professional grade shop manuals at a price you can afford. Check them out!.

Hover your mouse over the REPAIR ARTICLES tab at the top of the page. The click on DIAGNOSTICS to search by SYMPTOM, TROUBLE CODE, or read TECH TIPS on how to diagnose a problem

Click on MAKE an MODEL to see all the articles I've written for your vehicle
Click on REPAIR TOPICS to read individual articles written for specific automotive systems

If you've had your car scanned and know the trouble code go to TROUBLE CODES

Here are some quick links to speed up your research

Click on the link below for speedy navigation:

ABS issues, how to bleed ABS brakes

Airbag issues or SRS light on

Alternator issues or how to test

Belt diagram or serpentine belt issues

Blower motor

Blower motor resistor

Brakes, brake issues, what kind of brake parts to buy, ABS issues

Car Alarms or Antitheft systems

Cooling system, Water pump, What type of coolant to use