Four problems related to wiring have been reported for the 2003 Chrysler Town & Country. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
The contact owns a 2003 Chrysler town and country. While driving approximately 65 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where the mechanic advised that the wiring harness caught on fire and would have to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.
Our 2003 Chrysler town and country ex model which has been well maintained with periodic maintenance, was being driven at highway speed when the engine began to shudder and engine light illuminated. A strong odor of gasoline was present, so the van was towed to a local garage. The original diagnosis was a bad fuel injector (at 99,700 miles, not totally abnormal). We had a new injector installed, however on the way home the same issue recurred. The shop then said the computer gave a huge list and was likely defective. We had the car towed to the local Chrysler dealer. At the dealer, they agreed, and replaced the computer, however the problem was still present. The electrical technician, then spent 2 days tracing the problem. As it turns out there were about 8 or 9 of the 12 wires in the fuel injector wiring harness were bare and shorting together causing the car to run badly, and polluting the oil with fuel in the process. There is an obvious bend in the wire at the point where the bare wires were in the harness. This harness is hidden from view by a protective sleeve, and there were no cuts in the sleeve. The dealer stated that our van provided them with the information needed to fix 3 other vans they couldn't fix before. The bare wiring ruined our pcm, and in the presence of the extra fuel vapors, was extremely dangerous, basically a bomb waiting for the right spark. Because this problem was found in other vehicles, and it is a major safety issue, I believe it warrants investigation, and a possible recall for all vans with this same engine harness. Chrysler was no help in resolving the issue, which in my view was either an installation error or faulty part. Although, there was no external property damage, the faulty part cost me $1400. 00 in repairs and the loss of use for 2 1/2 weeks. The wiring harness is available at my home, and I will be happy to send it upon request.
Had a tire blow out on front drivers side. The blown tire ripped out the body wiring harness and the integrated power module of the vehicle causing ultimate power failure. The wires were shredded and wrapped around the rim. We strongly believe that this is a design flaw by Chrysler allowing the wiring harness of the vehicle to be placed directly over the wheel well. This cause failure of the brake system, and total loss of all power to the vehicle.
Car engine shutdown in traffic but would restart. Engine shutdown at highway speeds and jump started without turning key. Plastic wire insulation burning smell noted when returned to driveway. Vehicle delivered to dealer for diagnosis and repair. Tech report verified broken and corroded wire in wiring harness: "upon inspection found fault code p1389 no asd relay output voltage at pcm & p1388 = auto shutdown relay control circuit. Removed d pcm wire harness and found asd output from pcm being lost. Traced bn/wt wire from pcm connector to ipm. Found wire cut and full of corrosion. Cut out bad section of wire and spliced new section in. Reinstalled all components are verified repairs. Vehicle is performing as designed. ".