2005 Twn&Cntry Electrical Problem

While driving, all the gauges and radio would very quickly go dead (gauges all drop to the left, radio shuts off)and then come right back on. Very intermittant, sometimes while at a stoplight, sometimes while driving at highway speed. It happens in just a split second and then everything is normal. The engine never missed or stalled. Wife claimed it wouldn't start recently, turned key off then back on and it started. Now, just this past weekend kids left a door open over night, thinking that the battery drained dead and wouldn't start. They got it jump started and let it run 30 minutes. While running errands it was stopped and started a few times no problems. Later, it died while crossing an intersection, wouldn't start, acted as if it was completely dead. Nothing happened when turning the key, no lighs, gauges, solenoid clicks etc. Again, they were able to jump start the van, then drive it to a local dealership (Saturday afternoon right at closing time 300 miles away from home). While at the dealership, they were able to check the battery and though it showed weak, there was enough juice to power the headlights, interior lights etc, but then the problem happened again right in the dealership service bay, completely dead electrical system. To sum up; It does seem that each time the electrical system was dead, it jump started right away, even though the battery should have been able to do the job.

Thoughts? an intermittant problem that got worse? a new seperate problem? whats the next step? It is currently at a dealership out of town. Any questions I should be asking?

Thanks!

Jhan

Hope they are able to isolate the problem. On intermittent problems, you are lucky if it occurs at the dealer's. If it happens again, check to see if the problem is there(radio etc. inop.) with the key in the accessory position also.

do you have the SKIM anittheft system with the special keys ? If you have more than 1 key you might want to try the other key , maybe the key is flaking out . This system will only let the van run if you have the correct key , if there is a problem with the key maybe it is flaking out . Any codes with the keydance ? this would show up in the odometer area after doing a on/off/on/off then on and what for codes . Also maybe a flakey ignition switch , if it happens again maybe wiggle the key in the lock when turning it .

Well, the dealer has had the van for 2 days and so far, they can't find a thing wrong. No error codes, no trouble starting. I'm heading out on Thursday to go pick it up and try to drive it home. Oh how I hate an intermittant problem!

Well, the dealer has had the van for 2 days and so far, they can't find a thing wrong. No error codes, no trouble starting. I'm heading out on Thursday to go pick it up and try to drive it home. Oh how I hate an intermittant problem!
Yup they are a pain to have and troubleshoot . don't you just love having everything run by a computer ?