Shemjo

I have an older van, 97 Chrysler, that has a problem running. It will start, but not keep running. It has had electrical issues in the past, but nothing that could be pinpointed and fixed. The door locks used to go crazy up and downoccassionally when I was driving at lower city street speeds. Hasn't done that for several years. Last spring it started THIS nonsense, but after sitting for a bit, maybe 10 minutes, it would start and run fine. When I got it to the shop where thy could look at it, it wasn't doing anything where the codes would show up. You can't fix what you can't find! It would run fine for several months and do it again. Last Friday, I had it towed to the shop because it wouldn't run after an hour. May have found the problem, but then it started running. Drove it Friday and while it was running fine, all the dash indicators went out, then came back on, while the radio was still playing! Today, Wednesday, it wouldn't run and I am sitting at the shop while they are looking for the problem again! GRRRRRR! Pray that they canfind and fix the problem! :?

mkanderson

Had that problem with one car we USE to have and found out that it was the computer in it that would keep it from starting up again!

Shadow Dancer

My truck started that four years ago, it ran fine during spring and summer, then once fall arrived it would start great, but would not stay running unless I kept my foot on the gas. For two years I spent more time at the garage then I care to remember. Of course as soon as it saw the mechanic it ran beautifully which made the mechanic seriously wonder about me. lol

They thought maybe there was water in the gas, so told me to use gas line anti-freeze. Then they said it could be ice crystals in the gas filter.Then they decided it needed a new battery, it ran great for two days then we were back to the same old hassles. Finally mechanic threw his hands up and said that it was a Dodge, get used to it! Once I got it moving it was fine, I used to leave it running when I checked the mail or ran into the grocery store for something.

Finally after two winters of dreading having to go out and do battle with it they discovered the alternator was toast, it wasn't charging my battery so when I started it, the battery didn't have enough charge to keep it running. So get that changed and it's been great. Except for the day I went to town and pulled in to park and the brake pedal went to the floor and the poor woman in front of me I swear saw her life pass before her eyes! LOL Turns out the young kid who did the service on it decided to top up the transmission fluid, only problem was that he topped up the brake fluid with transmission fluid..... a new master cylinder and brakes lines all flushed out and I was good to go again. Needless to say the only person I allow to work on it now is the mechanic.

Shemjo

Thanks, Shadow! We are looking at the body control module. The thing is not communicating the way it should!
These mechanics are the only ones who work on it because they are right across the street from where I spend most of my weekdays, and they are within walking distance of home if necessary!

sewjoyce

Don't you just hate it when the car will only misbehave for YOU??? One of the things that drives me crazy (yeah, I know -- short trip)!

Years ago I had this old clunker and she ran just fine. Kept telling my dad, mechanic and anyone else who would listen, that I kept smelling gas. Well, they pretty much just ignored me and/or gave me "the" look that made you feel like they had just patted you on the head. Anyway, driving down the street, she caught on fire. I managed to get out of her okay but the flames were spectacular. The fireman told me that it was a good thing she was running on fumes as it would have exploded if the tank had been full. (Being poor does have it advantages sometimes....)

Shemjo

The problem appears to be a computer that is malfunctioning. We can get a used one, and at a third of the cost, I think I will do that! The rest of the car parts will be jealous if I go with a NEW part, and then they will ALL want to be replaced! :? But it will spend the night away from home! And my day is being reprogrammed! :?

amma

I hate car troubles!!! I can sure appreciate all that you are going through :x :x :x I hope they get it fixed for you and you don't have any more mechanical issues for a good looooong time!!!

MollieSue

When my car or my sewing messes up makes me just want to stomp my foot and throw a fit! lol!! Not much is more frustrating than a car that won't run right! I'm very lucky in that my three sons can all fix anything on a car, my ex was a mechanic, so they learned from him.
I hope they got it figured out for you now! :-)

littlehud

That is the most frustrating feeling. Why do those cars run fine for mechanics and give us fits. It's like someone telling you what a joy your child is right after they have dealt us fits.

Shemjo

It is Thursday and I am still carless! The problem was NOT the body module! Put a new one in and the problem was still there. Took it out and put the original back in. Seems the problem is in a pigtail thingy that is NOT sold as an individual item, only with the complete assembly. It is staying there overnight and they will work on it again tomorrow! Hope I have a vehicle for the weekend! But if not, I guess I can do some quilting! :lol: and housecleaning. :(