14 problems related to electrical system have been reported for the 1996 Chrysler Town & Country. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
My minivan has been not wanting to start, the speedometer has been jumping all over the place . I had my fuel pump and filter replaced in December 2014 due to it not starting. Now within the last 2 weeks or so it started to act like it was going to die as I would be driving and sometimes it would jump out of gear. All this last week it has been giving me problems with starting and every time I would get out of the van it would smell like somethings burning. When I turn the key to start it all you could hear is a click, try to start it a couple more times and finally get it to start. Today it wouldn't start no matter how many times I tried to start it. I open the hood and looked at the battery and one terminal looks like it is burnt.
Transmission stopped worked, electrical cluster waving back and forth before and after transmission repair, newly installed transmission broke down 5 days after installation, repair shop claims elecrical system not working properly and is cause of transmission breakdown.
When coasting through left hand turns only engine and all electrical components shut off for 1 to 4 seconds causing power steering not to work and braking reduced. This does not happen when accelerating through left turns or coasting through right hand turns.
The vehicle stalls while driving creating a loss of power steering and brakes. Chrysler dealers have repaired the vehicle 3 times for this complaint, but the problem persists. Two other Chrysler owners I know have complained of this problem.
Entire vehicle electrical system shuts down without warning while driving, causing loss of engine power, power steering, and power brakes. This is extraordinarily dangerous during any but the slowest, straight ahead driving, as it results in a nearly complete loss of maneuverability. In the event of such a complete shutdown the vehicle cannot be effectively accelerated, braked, or turned, and lights and windshield wipers also fail. Furthermore, the windshield wiper delay malfunctions continuously in cold weather, resulting in complete loss of wiper function at times. Multiple attempts at diagnosis and repair, including some parts replacement by the dealer, have failed to eliminate any of the aforementioned problems.
Soon after starting the car, the passenger power seat motor began to spontaneously smoke, emitting a putrid odor. After traveling approximately 2 miles (10 min in traffic) the smoke increased to the point that the whole compartment of the vehicle was filled. At that point the vehicle was parked and the engine was shut off. All passengers (two mothers and four children 3 or younger) evacuated the vehicle. The smoke continued to worsen and ultimately the fire department was notified. A fire extinguisher was used and after about twenty minutes all smoke stopped. The manufacturer was notified and recently claimed they had no responsibility or liability in the matter.
Intermittent electrical problems since purchase with no fix from mfg.
Vehicle is having electrical problems. Vehicle will downshift without warning causing rpms to increase dramatically. The power windows and air conditioning will stop functioning. Ph.
Consumer was driving on highway when approaching stopped traffic, while waiting in traffic , the vehicle shut down for for no known reason. After 6 minutes or more the vehicle came back on. Consumer had vehicle towed back to ohio dealer. Dealer inspected the vehicle, but was unable to find any the problem.
Vehicle experienced electrical problems.
Vehicle stalls and control panel dies while driving.
While driving vehicle about 50 mph or could be about 10 mph, turning the wheel, the engine shut off, cutting every electrical instrument on the panel.
Ref. 727308 vehicle shuts down, pcm affected by radar interference is possible culprit. After new filters and plugs the engine was able to stay running but it shutters when radar interference is encountered, only fix is to replace pcm with rebuilt, probably will re-occur in future. This is a known problem and should get a recall. When vehicle dies it is very hard to handle, due to weight on the front of these vans.
The dashboard indicator failed.