OT Mopar Command Start Issues OT

[55 Fargo]

Hi all, I have a 2005 Dodge Caravan, with factory command start. Recently it has started this, you hit remote, engine starts then shuts itself off, repeats this 3 times.

I thought it was the hood shut off switch, as I opened the hood, and then closed it, it seemed to take care of problem, but it is doing the same thing again.

The gauges go all whacky sometimes, when I start the engine too, but return to normal, immediately.

Have any of you ever had these symptoms witha Mopar of recent vintage.....Fred

[Plymouthy Adams]

change your battery...go ahead and laugh now if you like..

[greg g]

How's yer battery, cables, and all those miriad grounding straps they put on all these cars.

I have been told by a lot of techs at the Dodge dealer that these things are very sensitive to voltage, and grounds. Geeez,, just like old 6V systems!! Everything old is new again. Also isn't there a timeout solenoid, that shuts off automatically after 10 minutes or so of unattended running? Perhaps it retired.

[greg g]

UH OH! Another case of stereo replys. Perhaps some of us can just start a telepathic board.

[JerseyHarold]

I have a 2005 Grand Caravan and this forum has been very helpful:

http://forum.chryslerminivan.net/forum.php

The '05's are 4th generation.

[55 Fargo]

change your battery...go ahead and laugh now if you like..

No I am not laughing, at work today was showing another Gear Head, what was happening, and the battery got weak, requiring a 40 amp charge for about 20 minutes.

The battery was then load tested, and Mechanic at work said it was still good.

What the "H", this is a factory battery went into service on July 2004, think maybe it is the culprit.....Fred

[55 Fargo]

How's yer battery, cables, and all those miriad grounding straps they put on all these cars.

I have been told by a lot of techs at the Dodge dealer that these things are very sensitive to voltage, and grounds. Geeez,, just like old 6V systems!! Everything old is new again. Also isn't there a timeout solenoid, that shuts off automatically after 10 minutes or so of unattended running? Perhaps it retired.

Battery cables and connections in beautifull condition, battery is 7 years old though....

[55 Fargo]

I have a 2005 Grand Caravan and this forum has been very helpful:

http://forum.chryslerminivan.net/forum.php

The '05's are 4th generation.

It might, but I cannot register for some reason....

[greg g]

You mentioned gauges bouncing, My expereince with ChryCo products (are they really MOPARS anymore) is that most of the gauges will bounce once when you turn the key past on to start, then shold settle after the starter is released. If they continue to bounce after the engine starts its an indication of less than spec battery condition or performance. Sure a 12 V starter will spin on 11 volts, but all them little sensors want 12.4 + to be happy and do thier jobs.

[55 Fargo]

You mentioned gauges bouncing, My expereince with ChryCo products (are they really MOPARS anymore) is that most of the gauges will bounce once when you turn the key past on to start, then shold settle after the starter is released. If they continue to bounce after the engine starts its an indication of less than spec battery condition or performance. Sure a 12 V starter will spin on 11 volts, but all them little sensors want 12.4 + to be happy and do thier jobs.

Okay will hook up the volt meter and see what I got.... 12.6 volts outside in 25 f temps

Edited December 21, 2011 by Rockwood

[Plymouthy Adams]

No I am not laughing, at work today was showing another Gear Head, what was happening, and the battery got weak, requiring a 40 amp charge for about 20 minutes.

The battery was then load tested, and Mechanic at work said it was still good.

What the "H", this is a factory battery went into service on July 2004, think maybe it is the culprit.....Fred

I'd put a dollar to a donut that it is..got another car with a good battery swap them if you are skeptical of my call..

[Plymouthy Adams]

bouncing guages...still right back to the battery....these run through the body controller module...precision volatge as supplied byt the main controller which is the voltage regulator for the alt and also distributes precision voltage to other circuits...get a battery that is over taxed on current drain..all hell breaks lose with the body controller module...

[TodFitch]

Battery cables and connections in beautiful condition, battery is 7 years old though....

I don't think I've ever gotten 7 years out of a starting battery, much less 7 years out of a factory one.

[55 Fargo]

I'd put a dollar to a donut that it is..got another car with a good battery swap them if you are skeptical of my call..

battery tested at 12.6 volts sitting outside at 25 f, would think it is okay, but who knows, might try my trucks battery tomorrow. The ground wire from hood shut off switch to body is kinda fragile looking. Should I by pass the hood safety switch, and see if it will stay running that way,I suppose it would not even start if the hood safety switch were not completing its ground circuit .

The car is starting fun with the key, and remains running, it is just with the factory command start it starts and then immdediately shuts itself off.

[55 Fargo]

I don't think I've ever gotten 7 years out of a starting battery, much less 7 years out of a factory one.

You must be rough on batteries.....LOL I still have a 5 year old 6 volt battery in the 47, and my 2005 sears tractor has the OEM battery, and is still working well.....

[Plymouthy Adams]

Fred...got 5 years on the original battery..it started flaking out..it woudl randomly open internally in the middle of a start cycle..replaced it...I got 9 months off that battery with 3 year free replacement..swapped it out..trust me the guages don't like flakey batteries..batteries are a man made device..subject to and will eventually give you trouble..some sooner than later..never a guarantee to work..only guaranteed to fail..

[Merle Coggins]

12.6 volts sitting idle is good, but what does the voltage drop to during start up? If the battery is weak the voltage could drop below the threshold for the ECM's to function properly. Once the alternator catches up it'll all stabilize.

I also believe 7 years on a battery is pretty impressive. I think it's due for a replacement.

Merle

[TodFitch]

You must be rough on batteries.....LOL I still have a 5 year old 6 volt battery in the 47, and my 2005 sears tractor has the OEM battery, and is still working well.....

The only car I have left with an old fashioned lead-acid battery for starting is the '33 Plymouth with a 6 volt electrical. Last battery replacement on that was 2009, the one before that was 2002 (7 years). So I guess I was mistaken on my memory when I made the earlier post: I have gotten 7 years at least once.

For the "daily drivers" in the household, my wife's 11 year old Prius is still on its original main batteries but the little auxiliary battery has been replaced at least once. My 8 year old Prius has had its main batteries replaced under warranty but the auxiliary battery is original. But those aren't lead-acid based and have different aging characteristics than the old fashioned lead-acid starting batteries.

[55 Fargo]

Bought another battery, as it is time, it still tested not bad today, but in sub zero weather it will be dicey.

The engine cranks even better now, with a new battery, $100 later, did not solve my remote starter problem though...