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2002 Town Country w/ code p0204 ... help!
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tobycatt95
User
Jun 10, 2015, 6:15 PM
Post #1 of 50
(2372 views)
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2002 Town Country w/ code p0204 ... help!
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Here is the van info... 2002 Chrysler Town & Coutry LXi w/ 3.8 & 180,000 miles.
I'll try to give you the short story! We drove it to supper Saturday, then on the way home it began to chug & shake... like misfiring. Stopped driving, got a dolly & towed it home. My hubby pulled the codes & it gave P0204. This was the only code! Injector 4 issue. We started by testing the olms of injectors, all were 12 - 13 olms (I think) or normal! (( My hubby had plans tonight so it is just me to word this message - may sound girly - sorry ;-)) We got to looking online & found some folks that had melted injector harnesses. Looked at that & wholaa! The heat guard mesh looked fine, but underneath all the wires had lost their coating & were bare, about 1.5" from the main "big" plug, down about 6 inches or so. The wires were nice & coppery, but I am sure they were able to touch & that's not good. We figured this must be the issue! My dad rewired the harness, it is all put back together & taped up. We plan to stick a split heater hose or something around the bundle so it doesn't happen again for a while anyways... but ... we are still having issues. The thing is still chugging. Thought maybe we fouled a plug, so we replaced the #4.. it looked pretty ok though, wasn't wet or terribly black.. but for 10 bucks, just replaced it. The others seem to have spark. We started checking, removing them one at a time to see any change in motor. There is none. He checked the olms of the front 3 wires spark plug wires & #2 was 8.5, #4 & #6 were 5.2, 5.3. Don't know if that is helpful.. We took a screwdriver and touched it to each of the front injectors after watching someone online do this as a way to make sure all the injectors were working, laid our ear on the end, & the spark noise in #4 injector was much weaker. The fellow we were watching said that could indicate a partially blocked injector, So we thought maybe the injector was clogged or partially blocked... as we were not getting any codes at this time. So we replaced the #4 injector. Now the "tick" noise is nice & loud like the rest, but van is still chugging. Sounds like a very sick hot rod! So I hopped online again & started looking. We are thinking about trying to rent one of those noid light testers, if our autozone has one... but we seem to be getting spark & stuff.. Maybe the wiring harness is still the issue? My dad used to rebuild cars & my hubby too! So they kind of know what they are doing. My dad for sure! I am confident that the wires are all done correctly. So we don't know what else to try. We seem to be getting the correct olms from the coil... but maybe it's the coil? We are now pulling a P0204 code again. Hubby will try to switch them out & run codes again to see if the code changes with the injector switch. But should we try anything else? The computer might be bad? Maybe? Could all that wire exposed cause a permanent "mess up" in there? Could it be the catalytic converter? Maybe it fouled? (but wouldn't it put a code up?) The map sensor? Would that put a code up? All the other folks with melted wiring harnesses just replaced them or fixed them up & had running vans, so we were hopeful. But murphy is always around when we have a "project"... It's never the easy fix for us...lol. Just wondering if we are heading in the right direction & what else you folks would try. My hubby has no idea I am posting here, but he is so busy & if I can give him some possible solutions to check, it would sure help!! The van runs rough at idle & at acceleration...we haven't really driven it much! Just to do a quick test drive to see what it acted like after we did all of these things... it shakes & chugs. It did quit on & off, the chugging & vibrating... when we reached 55 mph, but comes right back! And the loud chug noise never goes away. The exhaust is puttering rough! It is rhythmic, like a bum, bum, bum, bum, bum... like a bad harley or street rod. it is a little slower to accelerate, meaning the gas pedal has to be pushed all the way down to achieve 55 mph. It Doesn't quit or stall, just chu chugs! And when it hits about 40mph it really starts to shake & vibrate. Has to be something with that #4 injector to keep pulling that code after we clear it out, right? Or the computer? Ok,,,, Thanks so much for any advice or insight! We don't have much $$ and need to keep this ole' girl going for a couple years yet!
(edited out hyperlink to another site)
(This post was edited by Tom Greenleaf on Jun 11, 2015, 4:06 AM)
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Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jun 10, 2015, 6:21 PM
Post #2 of 50
(2367 views)
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Re: 2002 Town Country w/ code p0204 ... help!
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Wow...that was the shortest story I've ever read.
Noid lights aren't not too expensive. That would give you a visual confirmation that the #4 injector circuit has power and control from the PCM. Possible for the injector driver in the PCM to be damaged from the exposed wires shorting, but further testing should be done to be sure of that.
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
(This post was edited by Discretesignals on Jun 10, 2015, 6:24 PM)
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tobycatt95
User
Jun 11, 2015, 6:14 AM
Post #3 of 50
(2338 views)
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Re: 2002 Town Country w/ code p0204 ... help!
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Lol... I know, I know. Short story versions are so hard for me! My hubby looked at the post & laughed too. We will be checking on the noid lights tonight & willl try to give that a go. I think he read somewhere that you can use a test light (his has a ground too) and they work. But he didn't go into great detail. So if Autozone doesn't have them or rent them out, we will figure out something to do the test. I will keep posting as we keep going. Hopefully we can figure this out soon! I miss my van! Thanks for your reply! Anytime we have trouble figuring something out, I rely on these sorts of sites a lot! You folks answering questions & helping is very much appreciated!! That is how we found the melted wiring harness! Read another post "somewhere" about a fellow that had tried everything & it ended up being his wiring harness, which looked fine on the outside, but inside was a big melted mess. Ours wasn't a "melty" as his. But bare copper wires were exposed & touching! Anyway, thanks!
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tobycatt95
User
Jun 11, 2015, 2:55 PM
Post #5 of 50
(2323 views)
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Re: 2002 Town Country w/ code p0204 ... help!
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Ok... silly question. I told hubby no test light... only noid lights, but how do we test the 4 injector as the cover is off & all of the air/throttle/ect... is removed & unhooked. We have to take that cover off to get to the injectors and the harness connections. My hubby is confused as to how he is supposed to plug in a light & crank the engine with everything taken apart..? Is it possible to do? He is worried that "stuff" will get sucked into "things" if all of that jazz is not hooked up. So currently, we are not testing with any noid light ;-( If you can explain how to do this, we will get it done tonight! Thanks! I have searched & searched to try & find someone online that has checked the injector harness with the car tore apart like ours has to be, but find nothing. Only vehicles that have easier access to the harness wires. Thanks so much!
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jun 11, 2015, 3:15 PM
Post #6 of 50
(2321 views)
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Re: 2002 Town Country w/ code p0204 ... help!
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No, this is a test for a fully assembled engine. All you have to access is the injector plug.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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tobycatt95
User
Jun 11, 2015, 3:24 PM
Post #7 of 50
(2315 views)
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Re: 2002 Town Country w/ code p0204 ... help!
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So maybe the noid light test won't work for us... the injectors & the harness connections are all under that plenum cover. So to get to them we have to take off the throttle body, map sensor, air box, etc...
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jun 11, 2015, 3:26 PM
Post #8 of 50
(2312 views)
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Re: 2002 Town Country w/ code p0204 ... help!
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No, they aren't.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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tobycatt95
User
Jun 11, 2015, 3:30 PM
Post #9 of 50
(2308 views)
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Re: 2002 Town Country w/ code p0204 ... help!
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Ok, just showed my hubby... he said yes they are. So he is taking me out to look at them right now. I will be right back! I sure hope you are right!! ;-)
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tobycatt95
User
Jun 11, 2015, 3:37 PM
Post #10 of 50
(2306 views)
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Re: 2002 Town Country w/ code p0204 ... help!
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OMG!! You are so right! The number 4 is going to be difficult to get at... but is sure IS OUTSIDE that dumb cover. We will now be doing that noid light test! THANK YOU!! My hubby is impossible sometimes. This is for sure a "DUH" moment! THANK YOU! Will see if we can get this done tonight & post results! If I haven't said it enough.... THANKS so much!!
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Jun 11, 2015, 3:53 PM
Post #11 of 50
(2304 views)
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Re: 2002 Town Country w/ code p0204 ... help!
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You have to put that cover back on before cranking the engine. Make sure everything is plugged back in.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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tobycatt95
User
Jun 11, 2015, 4:25 PM
Post #12 of 50
(2301 views)
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Re: 2002 Town Country w/ code p0204 ... help!
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Ok... got the test done. We checked the front 3 injector harnesses. 2 & 6 are fine. Number 4 did not light up at all. We did have that melted wire harness issue, so do you think this is still a wire issue or did we damage the computer? Thanks again for your help!
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jun 11, 2015, 4:29 PM
Post #13 of 50
(2299 views)
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Re: 2002 Town Country w/ code p0204 ... help!
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This is what you have to determine. First step is to determine whether it's power or ground pulse that's missing.
How did you test this if you don't have a noid light?
Didn't you have the engine apart a minute ago?
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
(This post was edited by Hammer Time on Jun 11, 2015, 4:30 PM)
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tobycatt95
User
Jun 11, 2015, 4:37 PM
Post #14 of 50
(2294 views)
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Re: 2002 Town Country w/ code p0204 ... help!
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we just went to autozone & rented a noid light... and yes, he pulled the plemen cover off so he could unhook the front 3 injector harnesses, put it back together (we are getting pretty fast at this..lol) and we tested. I started the van, he watched the lights. The number 4 injector harness had no light at all!
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jun 11, 2015, 4:41 PM
Post #15 of 50
(2293 views)
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Re: 2002 Town Country w/ code p0204 ... help!
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These lights are supposed to flash when cranking.
Test to see if you have power on one of the wires on that #4 with the key on.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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tobycatt95
User
Jun 11, 2015, 4:50 PM
Post #16 of 50
(2291 views)
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Re: 2002 Town Country w/ code p0204 ... help!
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Yes, the #2 & the #6 injector harnesses flashed...nice & steady, like I saw on the videos I watched. It was the # 4 harness that did nothing! No light at all. We thought we would just check all front 3 harnesses, since we rented the light & all. And just to make sure that the others were working properly. We keep getting that p0204 code, so we figured it was something with this #4 ... Ok, I will tell hubby to check one of the wires with the key on. I am sure he knows what that means...lol. He is outside, so I will be right back. Can I say thank you again?!?! You are a lifesaver! I may want to buy you a beer when we get this figured out 
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Jun 11, 2015, 4:54 PM
Post #17 of 50
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Re: 2002 Town Country w/ code p0204 ... help!
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The brown/white wire should have power during the first 2 seconds of key on and during cranking.
The brown/tan wire goes to the computer and provides pulsing ground. You have to see which one has the problem and trace it back
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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tobycatt95
User
Jun 11, 2015, 5:16 PM
Post #18 of 50
(2286 views)
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Re: 2002 Town Country w/ code p0204 ... help!
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Ok, the brown white wire lights up when cranks & while running, it stays lit actually while running. How should he test the brown/tan wire? His test light has a neg & pos clips... it's a mac test light he said. I just don't want him to blow anything up ;-)
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jun 11, 2015, 5:22 PM
Post #19 of 50
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Re: 2002 Town Country w/ code p0204 ... help!
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If the light stays on all the time when running, then the brown/tan wire is shorted to ground somewhere. Your best bet is to disconnect the PCM harness and see if the wire is still grounded. It goes to pin #16 of the C1 connector. That will be the gray/black connector
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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tobycatt95
User
Jun 11, 2015, 5:36 PM
Post #20 of 50
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Re: 2002 Town Country w/ code p0204 ... help!
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I am sorry to keep asking silly questions, wiring is obviously NOT our strong suit. So, because the white/tan wire is steady on, we probably have a short to ground in the brown/tan. How do we test to see if it is still grounded after we pull from the pcm? Do we try to start the van again with that harness unplugged & test the brown/white wire again? Or...? We don't know how to test the ground. I am sorry... we get confused!
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Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jun 11, 2015, 5:37 PM
Post #21 of 50
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Re: 2002 Town Country w/ code p0204 ... help!
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If the brown/tan wire was shorted to ground, wouldn't the NOID light stay on all the time? Plus it would have been chugging like a choo choo cause the injector would have been on all the time.
The brown/white wire should have power all the time when the engine is running or during cranking. Cause the PCM is seeing a crank signal and turning on the ASD relay.
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
(This post was edited by Discretesignals on Jun 11, 2015, 5:40 PM)
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tobycatt95
User
Jun 11, 2015, 5:59 PM
Post #23 of 50
(2270 views)
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Re: 2002 Town Country w/ code p0204 ... help!
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Sorry if I am confusing you all... The brown/white wire does not turn the test light on with the van off. When we crank, the test light comes on for a moment & then goes off until the van is running.... & then when it is running, the test light stays completely on... steady on. Only steady on when the van is running. So we are just confused on how we should be testing the brown/tan wire. Again, we aren't super great at this wiring stuff. We understand the wiring diagram & stuff. We just don't know if we should be using the test light on that ground wire too...? Thanks to everyone!! We would be so lost without you guys!!
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jun 11, 2015, 6:08 PM
Post #24 of 50
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Re: 2002 Town Country w/ code p0204 ... help!
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The brown/tan wire should be staying on when the truck is running but the brown/white should be flashing and if it is staying on, it is shorted to ground. Now, I'm assuming you are testing this with the injector unplugged and the light you are talking about is a ground signal. If you are testing this with the injector plugged in, then you are just reading the power from the other wire through the injector and you don't have a ground signal at all and we are back to a broken wire.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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tobycatt95
User
Jun 11, 2015, 6:16 PM
Post #25 of 50
(2260 views)
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Re: 2002 Town Country w/ code p0204 ... help!
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Ok, so the brown/white wire should "pulse" when the van is running. And if we stick that test light onto the brown/tan wire it should stay on? You are assuming the rest correctly! We are testing the connection unplugged, no injector, just harness. And the test light is connected to ground. I will go tell him that it is safe to stick the test light onto the brown/tan ground wire too. And we will just retest everything. We are hoping to see that the brown/tan keeps the test light on while van is running... and the brown/white wire should be pulsing/flashing. If it isn't, we have a short to ground. Hope I got all that correct! ;-0
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