Trunk Wiring Problems of Chrysler Town & Country

During a low-speed local trip (less than 2 miles, 45 mph max) acrid smoke starts coming out front a/c vents. Stop, turn off ignition. After merely describing the problem to an experienced mechanic, he says he knows what the cause is and proves it by removing the glove compartment to reveal a fried wire and nearby heat-damaged parts. He adds that many Chrysler-built (also gm-built) vehicles had caught fire because of this very reason. The a/c blower motor had started drawing too much electrical current (reason unknown*) which caused its wire to get hot enough to burn its own insulation plus melt nearby plastic parts. The wire is, obviously, undersized for a nominal overload. ( blower was still blowing as it always had, and had never blown its fuse. ) as an electronics technician with 39 years' experince in engineering, I find the use of wiring too small in gage to safely handle the full load rating of its branch circut (as determined, in this case, by the blower fuse amperage) to be appalling. The national electrical code protects us in our homes from such dangerous electrical design, why isn't there a code to protect us in our highway vehicles as well? what other undersized wires in my car are waiting to set it on fire? what such wiring in other makes and/or models? youtube provides graphic evidence of what can happen when a car burns, even when no crash has occurred.

See all problems of the 2007 Chrysler Town & Country 🔎.

The 2005 Chrysler Town & Country was parked inside the garage at my residence when the interior of the vehicle caught on fire from a short in the electrical system ,probably the heated seats. We were in the back of the house/garage when the horn began to sound and the van's panic alarm went off. We could see smoke coming from the eaves of the garage roof. My husband was able to open the "man door" of the garage (the electronic garage door opener would not function) and observed heavy grayish smoke coming from the vehicle with the help of a neighbor and our 13 year old son he sprayed the vehicle with water from 2 garden hoses. The windows of the vehicle shattered and the interior of the van was glowing orange. 911 was called and the local fire department responded. Once the area was secured the fire department assessed the damage (which was contained to the vehicle). They were of the opinion that the fire was caused by a short circuit in the driver's seat heating element. The only thing left of the drivers seat was the metal frame; the steering column was gone and wiring harnesses were hanging down into the passenger compartment from the roof of the vehicle. The van is a total loss. Our insurance adjuster stated that this was the second chryler Town & Country he had seen in this condition. Property damage (other than the vehicle) was limited to the garage interior thanks to my husband's and neighbor's quick response. We did not lose our garage or home. . . Others may not be that lucky!.

See all problems of the 2005 Chrysler Town & Country 🔎.

An electrical short, either in the fuse breaker block, wiring harness or battery, started a fire in the engine compartment and totally burned the vehicle.

See all problems of the 1997 Chrysler Town & Country 🔎.