1998 Chrysler Town and Country engine problems

Filed Dec 13, 2015 · Electrical, Engine · 152,000 miles · CA

While driving in snow and rain for one day the steering wheel froze up, the battery light went on, and I was no longer able to drive. I was on a flat street and in motion when it occurred.

Filed Oct 2, 2014 · Electrical, Engine · 185,000 miles · PA

Cranked, started, ran for 1 second, and stalled. This happened three times in a row. Then it would not crank until we returned the next day and it started and ran fine. This became an intermittent problem over time and eventually failed altogether. Very mysterious but I found the cause and repaired it. It has not failed since I repaired it 7-21-2012. The problem was a cold solder joint on the bcm located behind the instrument cluster. Please contact me and I will explain.

Filed Oct 7, 2013 · Engine, Steering · 160,000 miles · IN

Serpentine belt slipped off when driving in rainy conditions with child in vehicle. Causing loss of power steering and engine to overheat. Was stranded and had to call family to be picked up. Had to have car towed and pay out of pocket expense to have serpentine belt put back on.

Filed Sep 23, 2011 · Engine · 142,000 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 chrysler town and country. While driving in rainy weather conditions approximately 40 MPH, there was a loss of power steering without warning and the illumination of the battery warning indicator. The contact drove to the side of the road and the engine was turned off. Upon inspecting the vehicle she noticed the serpentine belt detached which was reconnected. The vehicle resumed normally and was taken to an independent mechanic where the serpentine belt, tensioner pulley and idler pulley were replaced. The alternator and water pump were replaced at different times because the technician assumed the components contributed to the malfunction; however the problem continued after the repairs. The faulty serpentine belt caused the failure and would occur whenever driving in the rain. The serpentine belt had been replaced four different times. The manufacturer was made aware of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 142,000.

Filed Jan 3, 2011 · Engine · 151,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 chrysler town and country. The contact was driving approximately 40 MPH the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to the contacts place of resident. A local mechanic performed a diagnostic on the vehicle and no failure codes displayed. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was unavailable. The failure mileage was 151,000.

Filed Sep 3, 2010 · Engine, Fuel system · MN · fire · 1 injury

Engine spontaneously started on fire and fire destroyed the entire vehicle. Owner just purchased the vehicle 1 week prior to this occurring from a dealership. All of a sudden, there was smoke everywhere while driving on the interstate, and within 3-4 minutes of pulling to the side of the road due to smoke occurring, the entire vehicle was engulfed in flames. The owner is 9 months pregnant, and there were 3 young children also in the vehicle when this occurred. Fire fighters told the owners that if they had continued to drive the vehicle another 100 feet, the vehicle would have blown up with all occupants still inside. The vehicle/all engine parts are completely destroyed. The pregnant owner suffered severe smoke inhalation and barely escaped fetal death due to severe smoke inhalation.

Filed Aug 30, 2010 · Engine · 151,600 miles · LA

I own a 1998 chrysler town and country van and for the last 4 years I have had a problem with the fan belt coming off usually when it rains. My mechanic puts it back on stating that the chrysler belts slip off when it rain. I have owned chryslers in the past but never had this problem. I usually have my grandchildren with me and very concerned about this problem. On one occasion I was taking my son to have some blood work done and all of a sudden it started storming and the van cut off, but I was able to steer it out of the street. I cannot afford another vehicle so something should be done. *tr updated 06/29/11

Filed Jul 20, 2010 · Engine · 150,000 miles · CO

Tl*the contact owns a 1998 chrysler town and country. The contact stated that one year ago upon starting his vehicle he noticed that it would start and then it would shut off. The alarm system on the vehicle armed itself when the ignition was turned off and the vehicle would not start until it was reset. The contact stated that the reset option failed to function. A diagnostic test was being performed by a chrysler dealer for repairs. The dealer informed the contact that the body control module needed to be replaced at the owners expense for approximately $1100.00. The owner stated that chrysler was aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000. The current mileage was 156,000.

Filed Jun 17, 2010 · Engine · 103,000 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 chrysler town and country. The contact stated when shutting off the engine, the engine cooling fan would remain running. The contact removed the fuse in order to stop it from constantly running. The dealer advised the issue was common but there were no recalls for the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 103,000.

Filed Jan 6, 2010 · Engine · 100,000 miles · WA

The serpentine belt comes off when driving through minimal amounts of water causing power loss to the steering as well as overheating. This is a serious safety risk which deserves a recall by chrysler. I have lost steering while driving on 50 MPH roads with my children in the vehicle. Several times my children and I have been stranded due to the serpentine belt falling off causing me to lose steering and my vehicle to overheat and had to walk down roads with my children to find help. After researching this on-line it appears that this is due to due to an engineering miscalculation of the pulley system.