1997 dodge caravan 3.3 stalls

[sandmaan]

I have a 1997 dodge caravan it usually runs good all day. At night it will start run for a couple seconds then just stall. No codes showing besides 12, 66, 55 off the ignition key switch. which I know mean nothing. But, now since we have had a couple cooler days it seems to be acting up during the day now and doing the start up then shut down within a couple seconds. I don't know if the coolness has anything to do with it just seems to be worthy of noting. Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[RIP]

Does your van have the OEM sentry security system? If so it sounds like a typical Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) failure. It may need to be reprogrammed or replaced. When it fails it typically kills the engine seconds after starting.

Your code 66 (scanner code P1698 or P1695) means either the the BCM or TCM isn't comminuicating on the data bus. You have the CCD data bus, a slow early version. It's infamous for it's various failure modes including stalling. The most common fail point is the instrument cluster solder connections. Next time it acts up smack the dash above the cluster and see if it starts and keeps running. Changing temps will effect the solder joints.

[sandmaan]

ok, i had a feeling it had to do with the security I was told and read about that it may be that. Also, at times, while i'm driving it the guages stop working and the security light will be steady on. but, it will let me keep driving. Then the other times it does as described above. I have tried to smack the dash as said doesnt change anything. I have tried the manual reset of the alarm with the key in the door to reset the alarm system. Yes it is the factory alarm. Tried disconnecting battery for a few minutes. Tried the valet bypass holding on to the trip buttons. So,, I may need to change the SKIM? or need to do something with the instrument cluster? reprogramming pertains to having to go to the dealership or any and all these situations need that ?

[b1lk1]

I would focus on the instrument cluster, it is the most likely failure point.

[sandmaan]

Ok, well then apparently the one this other guy installed before I bought it was no good. But, um he did buy it from a junk yard so no telling what condition it was in when he installed it. They changed it out since the original one stopped the van from even starting at all. I will check that route out first.

Edit:: I took instrument cluster off checked all solders. Don't seem like there is anything a miss. Could it potentially be the BCM? Hate to buy it and I just need to just buy a new instrument cluster anyways.

[drucemeister]

On the 11/07/11 i attended NAG (Nepean Auto Group CHRYSLER AUSTRALIA) for an intermittent fault with my 1999 Chrysler Voyager’s warning lights and ignition system.
This fault caused the car to start and cut out moments later, or the instrument cluster would fail while driving and not start the next time. The remedy that i had been using prior to taking to NAG was to disconnect the battery for 1+ hours and the problem seemed to go away for varied periods of time. This remedy i discovered after charging the battery when the fault first appeared any eliminating the fact that the battery was already fully charged.
After having the car for 4 days NAG contacted me and i was told the car was ready to be picked up but further work was needed as they had not fixed the problem and were in fact not sure what the EXACT problem was. i attended, paid and attempted to start my vehicle. This was to no avail, the car would not start. A technician came out to the vehicle and tested it again with some sort of computer and said that there was nothing he could do and that i needed to order the parts suggested on my receipt. (See attachments)
I disconnected the battery and an hour or so later reconnected it, started the car and drove home.
Not wanting to spend $287 plus labour and probably $2213 plus labour as recommended in the receipt from NAG, on a car that now has a market value of approx. $5000 I persevered with disconnecting the battery.
The fault increased in frequency to the point that it was happening every day until on the 30/09/2011 the car failed to start at all and was towed home by NRMA. When the patrolman attended he informed me that that the fault was the immobilizer and i should see an auto electrical company to look at it. I told him the story from NAG and he said that VERY RARELY do computers and skims need replacing and that by his testing it was most likely the immobilizer.
By chance that night while looking for a local auto electrician on the internet I found the following information. (Links to these pages and information listed and the end of this information)
My summation of this information is that there is a COMMON fault in the Chrysler 1997 – 2002 model Voyager WORLDWIDE as listed in all the links and blogs I attended. This common fault is the same as my vehicle was displaying.
I note that a number of these stories included people spending 1000’s of dollars/pounds replacing the exact parts recommended to me to be replaced by NAG.
Using the steps and procedures listed in these web pages I fixed my own car in an hour and a half by locating a loose terminal as described, located behind my instrument cluster. The problem is now GONE.
A number of other further websites and blogs spoke of other wiring issues, all including earthing issues behind the instrument cluster or in different locations behind the dash, BUT ALL OF THESE WIRING FAULTS HAD THE SAME OUT COME. Car starts and then cuts out with warning light on dash.

I approached NAG in good faith, believing that they are the foremost authority on the operation and service of my 1999 Chrysler Voyager and asked them to diagnose the fault in my vehicle. They failed to do so correctly and in turn I was charged $143 to be told I needed to spend another $287 plus labour and if that did not fix the problem another $2213 plus labour.
Clearly in hindsight this would not have fixed my problem.
I contacted the service manager at NAG and explained my situation. I requested that my $143 be refunded due to the reasons listed above and in turn offered him the details of the web pages and blogs that let me fix my vehicle so that that he and Chrysler may better service their customers in the future with this particular fault.
He refused a refund but was more than happy to take the information.

Hope this helps... the last link is to a guy who did a slideshow of how to do repair....

Goog hunting


LINKS
http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/po...ex.htm?t=56470
http://en.allexperts.com/q/Chrysler-...mmobiliser.htm
http://www.chryslerforum.com/forum/g...problems-4653/
http://www.chryslerforum.com/forum/c...rn-over-12222/
http://www.chryslerforum.com/forum/c...-issues-12052/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/landar/...ith/3474557830