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troubleshooting Chrysler mini van 2003


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Carr
User

Aug 13, 2014, 6:51 AM

Post #1 of 34 (3502 views)
  post locked   troubleshooting Chrysler mini van 2003  

2003 Chrysler mini van. 3.3 ltr 133600 mi
while driving, engine light came on battery light came on, temperature gauge went off, shifting became sluggish, idle speed went up. It still ran. I turned it off and restarted it. at first engine light only was onand the temperature gauge was working.within 30 seconds temperature gauge went off and the battery light came back on


Hammer Time
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Aug 13, 2014, 8:20 AM

Post #2 of 34 (3492 views)
  post locked   Re: troubleshooting Chrysler mini van 2003  

Probably a bad dash cluster. they have a lot of problems.



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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.



kev2
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Aug 13, 2014, 8:48 AM

Post #3 of 34 (3489 views)
  post locked   Re: troubleshooting Chrysler mini van 2003  

scan for codes EVEN if the CEL now is off


Carr
User

Aug 13, 2014, 9:35 AM

Post #4 of 34 (3482 views)
  post locked   Re: troubleshooting Chrysler mini van 2003  

Dash cluster? How could that cause rough shifting and high idle?


Discretesignals
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Aug 13, 2014, 10:16 AM

Post #5 of 34 (3479 views)
  post locked   Re: troubleshooting Chrysler mini van 2003  

I agree with KEV Wink





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Carr
User

Aug 13, 2014, 11:37 AM

Post #6 of 34 (3475 views)
  post locked   Re: troubleshooting Chrysler mini van 2003  

First of all. Check engine light is on and stayed on, second, anyone can say scan codes. I was looking for an experienced mechanic who might have an idea what would cause the symptoms. Wow


kev2
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Aug 13, 2014, 12:10 PM

Post #7 of 34 (3472 views)
  post locked   Re: troubleshooting Chrysler mini van 2003  

  Checking for codes is the first step in troubleshooting.
GUESSING is NOT the way professionals approach an issue- that would be the crystal ball, psychic type.
I will add the collective experience is likely 25years PLUS per site contributor.

So you are unsure why/how the Dash cluster could cause rough shifting and high idle?

In laymans terms the PCM (computer) is seeing an issue and acting accordingly.
So how do we determine WHAT the PCM is seeing/reacting to ?
THAT would be getting the DTC's -
Need ideas on doing that?


Tom Greenleaf
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Aug 13, 2014, 12:21 PM

Post #8 of 34 (3467 views)
  post locked   Re: troubleshooting Chrysler mini van 2003  

Quote"First of all. Check engine light is on and stayed on, second, anyone can say scan codes. I was looking for an experienced mechanic who might have an idea what would cause the symptoms. Wow "


Gee - you sound ticked off that the vehicle is warning you to CHECK CODES and upset about it. 100s of areas possible and reading them narrows it down so that is the professional response to you inquiry or just give up and send you down the road,


T



Discretesignals
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Aug 13, 2014, 1:56 PM

Post #9 of 34 (3455 views)
  post locked   Re: troubleshooting Chrysler mini van 2003  

Hell, I take a guess. Faulty BCM, faulty MIC, wiring problem, terminal tension issue, faulty ignition switch, loose fuse, faulty power distribution box, poor grounds, EMI, excessive alternator AC ripple, communication bus problem .... Take your pick and let us know what you figure out.





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 Aug 13, 2014, 1:57 PM)


Carr
User

Aug 13, 2014, 3:14 PM

Post #10 of 34 (3444 views)
  post locked   Re: troubleshooting Chrysler mini van 2003  

Not ticked off. I know to get it read. Was hopeful somebody might have a clue before a read out. But hey, who am I to get in the way of everyone's sarcastic wit. Once I have the reading done, well let's see, I know, I can just ask the mechanic who did the read out. Hmmm. Wonder why this site is even up and running? Gee what would we do without computers to tell us what's wrong? Lol. It's funny, cause my brother could at least offer a diagnosis based on vehicles he's had before. That would be sharing experience, but oh well, thanks for the tips. .. get a read out. ..


Discretesignals
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Aug 13, 2014, 3:28 PM

Post #11 of 34 (3440 views)
  post locked   Re: troubleshooting Chrysler mini van 2003  

Listen friend, cars don't talk to people and say, "Ouch my muffler has a boo boo." Scanners and scan tools are not magical devices that tell you what to replace. Being a modern day technician is a cross between a detective, network technician, and electronics engineer. Cars are no where near as easy to diagnose as back in the old days with points and a carbs.

We don't guess because when you guess 80% of the time you'll be wrong. We can't afford to be wrong when we are responsible for repairing other people's vehicles for a living. Heck, the wrong diagnosis could get someone killed in extreme cases.

If your here to troll the forum, your not going to be here very long. If your here looking for good advice and pointers on which direction to go to solve your problem, this is a great place.





Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.


Hammer Time
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Aug 13, 2014, 3:38 PM

Post #12 of 34 (3438 views)
  post locked   Re: troubleshooting Chrysler mini van 2003  

This is one of those guys that thinks that magic little box that you plug into the car tells you exactly how to fix everything. Don't need a mechanic if you got one of the magic boxes.



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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.



Tom Greenleaf
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Aug 13, 2014, 3:43 PM

Post #13 of 34 (3437 views)
  post locked   Re: troubleshooting Chrysler mini van 2003  

Sorry. It's just that 99.9% of vehicles can't tell you more than a trouble code has been set. Takes reading what it sees and interpreting that info to continue on for the fix.


It monitors so much to do with how the engine runs, emissions, transmission and shifting and another 100 things not at the tip of my tongue. Owner's manuals that NOBODY EVER READS would tell you just what to do if that light is lit.


Codes at some parts outlets can be read for free - chains like Autozone and many others but write #s down not just what it might suggest the exact fix is.


If the vehicle isn't running perfectly it's possible to cause damage to wait. I'm not thrilled with putting too high of techno stuff in a moving machine exposed to the elements that controls the whole show much either as they get older that can be the problem but when it all works right it gives the most accurate adjustments for the temps and loads on a vehicle, the least pollution and best fuel economy too.


This could be as silly as a missing or loose gas cap or who knows till codes are read and the fix determined with that info,


T



Discretesignals
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Aug 13, 2014, 3:56 PM

Post #14 of 34 (3432 views)
  post locked   Re: troubleshooting Chrysler mini van 2003  

I'd like to invite someone to our shop that believes a scan tool or code reader tells you what exactly is wrong and which part needs replacing. If I popped the datastream up for the BCM or MIC on that thing and told the visitor to tell me what is going on, they would Sh!t their pants.





Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.


Hammer Time
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Aug 13, 2014, 4:12 PM

Post #15 of 34 (3428 views)
  post locked   Re: troubleshooting Chrysler mini van 2003  

Just give them a factory flow chart for a code, any code.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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.



GC
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Aug 14, 2014, 6:56 AM

Post #16 of 34 (3417 views)
  post locked   Re: troubleshooting Chrysler mini van 2003  

Your thread title refers to troubleshooting. Taking WAGs is not troubleshooting. Cant even offer a suggestion without some data. Once you get codes read, that MIGHT offer a starting point for diagnosis. Anyone who offers you a guess does not value your time or money. You can have similar symptoms caused by a large number of different issues (refer to DSs guess), thats why testing is required to narrow it down. Parts stores are real good at guessing, good techs are not.


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Willing to help, willing to learn... Rob


kev2
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Aug 14, 2014, 1:23 PM

Post #17 of 34 (3399 views)
  post locked   Re: troubleshooting Chrysler mini van 2003  

CARR if you are still following here -
Thiis is the misconception we as technicians face daily - the misunderstanding that a DTC is the corrective action - the 'code' will tell us what to change. That ]is not the case, NO code says change a part- the people at part stores that do the FREE service say buy this part.

If the vehicle overheats, sets a code* for temp sensor high - flawed part store laymen logic-code says temp sensor SO the sensor needs replaced.
It is just the messenger- example- the technician knows to look for the leaking hose


* p011x, P111x etc


Carr
User

Aug 14, 2014, 2:26 PM

Post #18 of 34 (3397 views)
  post locked   Re: troubleshooting Chrysler mini van 2003  

Ok. I understand what you all are saying. I guess my main complaint was that I listed a list of problems that all occurred suddenly. It didn't seem like anyone even looked at the symptoms listed. Oh well, water under the bridge. I got the readout from O'Reilly auto. Codes are P0118 and P1478 and P0106. Also, the PCM was changed 30,000 miles ago. Just for your info. Thanks.


Hammer Time
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Aug 14, 2014, 2:45 PM

Post #19 of 34 (3394 views)
  post locked   Re: troubleshooting Chrysler mini van 2003  

The P0118 addresses your temp gauge problem and is likely causing some serious fuel mixture problems also. There is an issue with the temp sensor. Look at the wiring and plugs before changing the sensor.

The P1478 is a problem with the battery temp sensor which is why your battery light is on.

The P0106 is an issue with the MAP sensor. Again, look at the wiring and connectors and the vacuum supply.


See how much help those codes were. They are all likely unrelated too although a damaged wiring harness could effect all 3.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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.



Discretesignals
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Aug 14, 2014, 3:07 PM

Post #20 of 34 (3389 views)
  post locked   Re: troubleshooting Chrysler mini van 2003  

If you have a P1478 code popping up, it appears you'll need to replace the PCM. You should definitely make sure the PCM has good powers and grounds and that your 5 volt reference isn't being pulled down before replacing the PCM though. Just to be on the safe side.


Quote
The PCM incorporates a Battery Temperature Sensor (BTS) on its circuit board.

The PCM uses the temperature of the battery area to control the charge system voltage. This temperature, along with data from monitored line voltage, is used by the PCM to vary the battery charging rate. The system voltage is higher at cold temperatures and is gradually reduced as temperature around the battery increases.

The ambient temperature sensor is used to control the battery voltage based upon ambient temperature (approximation of battery temperature). The PCM maintains the optimal output of the generator by monitoring battery voltage and controlling it to a range of 13.5 - 14.7 volts based on battery temperature.

The battery temperature sensor is also used for OBD II diagnostics. Certain faults and OBD II monitors are either enabled or disabled depending upon the battery temperature sensor input (example: disable purge and EGR, enable LDP). Most OBD II monitors are disabled below 20 °F.






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 Aug 14, 2014, 3:09 PM)


Carr
User

Aug 15, 2014, 7:10 PM

Post #21 of 34 (3371 views)
  post locked   Re: troubleshooting Chrysler mini van 2003  

Can a PCM be replaced by anyone or is it too technical for the average guy?


Discretesignals
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Aug 16, 2014, 8:09 AM

Post #22 of 34 (3357 views)
  post locked   Re: troubleshooting Chrysler mini van 2003  

Physically replacing it isn't really hard. Programming it is something that most DIY can't do. You would have to find someone local to program it.





Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.


Carr
User

Sep 3, 2014, 9:20 AM

Post #23 of 34 (3298 views)
  post locked   Re: troubleshooting Chrysler mini van 2003  

Ok, i took to mechanic. He replaced two sensors and then the alternator. 750 dollars later still not fixed. So I got a PCM from computer exchange place. Programmed to my vehicle. Followed instructions and installed it. Ran a little rough at first then smoothed out. Drove fine all day. Went to work next day and it happened again. Exactly like before when problem first happened. Any thoughts?


Tom Greenleaf
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Sep 3, 2014, 10:04 AM

Post #24 of 34 (3291 views)
  post locked   Re: troubleshooting Chrysler mini van 2003  

Arggh. Right away when picked up at the mechanic's and did the same thing why didn't you bring it up right then and there before leaving?


Clearly problem not fixed and has run poorly enough for new things to be the issue. IDK what to suggest except get codes again now as if running poorly there are and if not a problem not communicating with the vehicle,


T



Carr
User

Sep 3, 2014, 10:21 AM

Post #25 of 34 (3284 views)
  post locked   Re: troubleshooting Chrysler mini van 2003  

Lol. When picked up at mechanics, I had spent 750 and he still had no clue. He guessed computer which most would have tried at the beginning but quoted me another 750 to fix that. No thank you. I did computer myself






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