1998 Chrysler Town and Country: won't start

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 18, 2013 · Electrical · 143,000 miles · MD

Travel about 15 miles to a residence, parked van for about 3-4 hrs, entered van and try to start, wouldn't turn over *thought it was a problem with starter and or battery*, tried jumping, wouldn't turn over. Waited appx 1hr later, tried starting, van started, drove home. Next day, tried to start van, wouldn't start, wait about 2 hrs, tried again, van started. Days passed and as I was driving, noticed all gauges going from normal to 0, did this throughout travel. Took van to branch auto electric to do tests, was told bcm was bad and the cost would be over $1200.00 *labor included*, I've done research online regarding other t & c's who are having the same problems. Now all gauges are not working, ABS light stays on with the security alarm light. About 3 wks ago, started van, factory installed alarm system engaged and would not stop *while all *ABS/service engine & etc., stayed on* tried turning van off and on, locking and unlocking locks, alarm still blared until I had to disconnect battery to reset. Since this is my only means of transportation, there's a serious problem.

Filed Oct 20, 2010 · Electrical · AR

1998 chrysler town and country. Consumer states vehicle would not start *tgw the consumer stated the vehicle was towed to the dealer. The dealer kept the vehicle for three weeks and was unable to duplicate the problem. When the consumer retrieved the vehicle from the dealer, he made a stop and when he returned to the vehicle, it would not start. The consumer waited 30-45 minutes and then the vehicle started again. The consumer returned to the dealer and they kept the vehicle for a week, but they were still unable to duplicate the problem. The dealer then stated the body control needed to be replaced. After the replacement, the consumer had the same problem again after driving for a week. The consumer returned to the dealer again. The next day, the consumer received a call from the dealer stating there was a short in the instrument cluster board.

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 May 13, 2010 · Electrical · 138,000 miles · PA

I bought a 1998 chrysler town and country and after 2 weeks the van started having problems. The car wouldn't start in the gas station on the first try but did start on the second. From that incident on the car would need several starts to get it running and the instrument panel would go dead while I was driving and then suddenly jump back on and die again. This went on for about a week and a half before it stopped starting at all. I have not been able to drive for over three weeks and not only wasted money buying the van but also, took it to a repair shop where the guy replaced the fuse panel for $200 and wanted to put in a new computer but I told him not to. This van is a disgrace and an inconvenience.

Filed Oct 17, 2008 · Electrical · 135,000 miles · KS

Vehicle starts & dies, starts & dies and after a four or five attempts...it won't start at all. After a few hours or days it will start right up. When it does this the gauges are all flatlined. Sometimes while driving, the gauges flatline and alarm set light comes on as well as check engine light and ABS light. No codes come up for this problem even though the dealership wants to charge $119 just to diagnose the problem. This has happened repeatedly....new battery, new starter...among many other new items. Have not replaced the ignition switch, brain, or instrument panel. Have been told it could be either one of these things......I am tired of just putting in random parts.

Filed May 13, 2008 · Electrical · 60,000 miles · MI

Has happened over 100 times. Dashboard gauges all remain at zero, car will not start. Turns over, then dies immediately. I believe it is the security system killing the car. After 5 starts, won't even turn over. Have paid for new alternator, new starter, mechanic looked at numerous times. **finally fixed** mechanic had another customer with same problem. Found it was the entire instrument panel which needed replacing. At a cost of $700 for other customer. I went with a used model which is risky, but it has not done this again at all for 7 months. There are numerous reports on this site about this, and I thought I would help people out who have also spent a ton of money on this problem, with no resolution.

Filed Apr 21, 2008 · Electrical · 155,000 miles · IN

-gauges on dash loose power while driving -warning lights and messages light up on information cluster -often car will not crank engine when attempting to start, banging on dash will cause gauges to work, and then car will start. Several times car will start and die after a few seconds, after multiple attempts, car will not start for several hours, leaving family stranded with no transportation.

Filed Sep 19, 2007 · Electrical · 126,060 miles · WA

On intermittent occasions the minivan will not start. It will run for a couple of seconds then stall. After 3-5 attempts at starting, it will do nothing at all, not even turn over, but all the gauges work. This event does not generate an error code. After returning to the vehicle an hour or two later the car starts normally and will be fine for days. Service tech's are unable to diagnose the problem - battery, fuses, starter, are all fine.

Filed Oct 11, 2006 · Electrical · WI

My complaint is virtually identical to a previous one, numbered 10167790. My car will start, run for a few seconds, then shut off. After a few tries, it won't turn over at all. This happens at random times. It's a gamble as to whether the car will start or not, when I go out. It seems to have something to do with the theft deterrent system, because I believe the last two time this happened, prior to this happening, ny car alarm would set itself off, when opening the door.

Filed Nov 16, 1998 · Electrical, Engine · VA

3 catastrophic ignition system failures in ~6300 miles. Engine shuts off with no warning & no system & has twice stranded driver on an interstate hghway after dark. Engine stops. Engine will not turn over after stopping. Lights, horn, etc. Are operable after failure.