Service immobilizer message, no start
#1
02-02-2016, 08:48 PM
Service immobilizer message, no start
Hi, I've been trolling the comments here since I bought a used 2004 Chrysler Pacifica with 170k in December. I parked the car a few days ago. It was running fine. I went to start the car the next day, nothing. Service immobilizer message now displays on dash. Solid alarm light.
So I've called Chrysler. Of course they want me to tow it to the shop. They claim they are the only people on the face of the planet that can fix this issue. I can only imagine the sacks of useless Canadian pesos that will require.
I got a new battery for the key. I took the lug off the battery, and left it for a few hours. Tried to start. Same thing.
Both keys are like this.
Is there anything I can do to further trouble shoot? Is it a fact that only Chrysler can fix this? Can someone point me in a direction that won't cost a pile of money? What about those remote starter bypasses? Would that render the SKIM irrelevant?
I'm open to all suggestions short of hooking up a Clydesdale to the chassis.
So I've called Chrysler. Of course they want me to tow it to the shop. They claim they are the only people on the face of the planet that can fix this issue. I can only imagine the sacks of useless Canadian pesos that will require.
I got a new battery for the key. I took the lug off the battery, and left it for a few hours. Tried to start. Same thing.
Both keys are like this.
Is there anything I can do to further trouble shoot? Is it a fact that only Chrysler can fix this? Can someone point me in a direction that won't cost a pile of money? What about those remote starter bypasses? Would that render the SKIM irrelevant?
I'm open to all suggestions short of hooking up a Clydesdale to the chassis.
#2
02-03-2016, 09:49 AM
If it's a problem with the SKIM, then you are most probably stuck with going to the dealer. It wouldn't be much of an anti-theft device if there was an easy and cheap way to get around it. There may be another problem at work here. A few years back it was all the rage for finance companies to install remote kill switches in cars that they held loans on. If you missed a few payments, they could disable the car which would make it easier to repossess. The dealer may or may not be able to figure out how to get around one of those. You might want to start with a question or two directed to the party you bought the car from.
#3
02-03-2016, 05:34 PM
Wow. I hope you are kidding me.
Do you have any idea where to find these dealer placed parasites on the vehicle? I had no idea that such a thing would even be legal.
Now I have no idea where the person is that sold me the car.
I'm guessing Chrysler will diagnose this?
I don't even have this thing paid for yet. And I took a personal loan to buy it on a private deal. Now it's a 300$ pile of scrap.
I'm going to Google more about these dealer kill switches.
Thanks for the heads up! Even bad news will help me cover the bases.
I will follow up with the results after I take it to Chrysler. It will be a hundred bucks just to get it there.
This is gonna be fun........ (not)
Do you have any idea where to find these dealer placed parasites on the vehicle? I had no idea that such a thing would even be legal.
Now I have no idea where the person is that sold me the car.
I'm guessing Chrysler will diagnose this?
I don't even have this thing paid for yet. And I took a personal loan to buy it on a private deal. Now it's a 300$ pile of scrap.
I'm going to Google more about these dealer kill switches.
Thanks for the heads up! Even bad news will help me cover the bases.
I will follow up with the results after I take it to Chrysler. It will be a hundred bucks just to get it there.
This is gonna be fun........ (not)
If it's a problem with the SKIM, then you are most probably stuck with going to the dealer. It wouldn't be much of an anti-theft device if there was an easy and cheap way to get around it. There may be another problem at work here. A few years back it was all the rage for finance companies to install remote kill switches in cars that they held loans on. If you missed a few payments, they could disable the car which would make it easier to repossess. The dealer may or may not be able to figure out how to get around one of those. You might want to start with a question or two directed to the party you bought the car from.
#4
02-03-2016, 06:51 PM
Not kidding. There was a lady on the forum here a few years ago whose car died suddenly for no apparent reason. Several people chimed in with their thoughts but nothing helped. She came back after a few days and 'fessed up that she had gotten behind on her payments and the finance company threw the switch.
It'll cost you a hundred bucks to get towed in and another hundred bucks to have the dealer run the diagnostics. The repairs get added on top of that but some places will roll the diagnostics into the repairs if you chose to have it fixed in their shop. With a dead car you don't have many options. Good luck. If you can figure this out, come back and share your tale of woe.
It'll cost you a hundred bucks to get towed in and another hundred bucks to have the dealer run the diagnostics. The repairs get added on top of that but some places will roll the diagnostics into the repairs if you chose to have it fixed in their shop. With a dead car you don't have many options. Good luck. If you can figure this out, come back and share your tale of woe.
#5
02-03-2016, 10:12 PM
Well, I went out with a flashlight and stuck my head up under the dash and didn't see anything. Before I start work in the morning I'll have a look under the hood. I will honestly tell you that there is no kill switch there for MY debt, but it might be possible that there is one there for the previous owner. I only bought it in December.
Google is pointing to a small black box about the size of a deck of cards that is USUALLY under the dash, but sometimes under the hood.
Kind of an off the topic question, but if this is the case will the dealership even take this device off the car if I can't find it? If in fact that is the issue.
I couldn't find that thread you mentioned about the lady with similar issues. I'm stumped as to why I would get a dash message if this was an aftermarket kill switch.
And if in fact this is what you say it may be, I guess some repo guy is going to come and take my car if I get the gps removed anyway, they know where I live....... Ugggh I'm freaking out. Am I protected in any way?
Thanks for your input.
Where's all the people that tell me tap the right mirror twice, wiggle your nose, press menu, and vOilla FIXED!
Google is pointing to a small black box about the size of a deck of cards that is USUALLY under the dash, but sometimes under the hood.
Kind of an off the topic question, but if this is the case will the dealership even take this device off the car if I can't find it? If in fact that is the issue.
I couldn't find that thread you mentioned about the lady with similar issues. I'm stumped as to why I would get a dash message if this was an aftermarket kill switch.
And if in fact this is what you say it may be, I guess some repo guy is going to come and take my car if I get the gps removed anyway, they know where I live....... Ugggh I'm freaking out. Am I protected in any way?
Thanks for your input.
Where's all the people that tell me tap the right mirror twice, wiggle your nose, press menu, and vOilla FIXED!
Not kidding. There was a lady on the forum here a few years ago whose car died suddenly for no apparent reason. Several people chimed in with their thoughts but nothing helped. She came back after a few days and 'fessed up that she had gotten behind on her payments and the finance company threw the switch.
It'll cost you a hundred bucks to get towed in and another hundred bucks to have the dealer run the diagnostics. The repairs get added on top of that but some places will roll the diagnostics into the repairs if you chose to have it fixed in their shop. With a dead car you don't have many options. Good luck. If you can figure this out, come back and share your tale of woe.
It'll cost you a hundred bucks to get towed in and another hundred bucks to have the dealer run the diagnostics. The repairs get added on top of that but some places will roll the diagnostics into the repairs if you chose to have it fixed in their shop. With a dead car you don't have many options. Good luck. If you can figure this out, come back and share your tale of woe.
#6
02-08-2016, 07:45 PM
DIAGNOSIS/FIXED
Corroded wire from the battery to the PCM. Tow included, diagnostic included, work included, 600$. The staff at Scarborough Chrysler were super friendly, super fast, super professional...... But a 600$ wire...... What did I expect from a dealership? The wife wanted me to get rid of my Cadillac because service was expensive, but the Cadillac didn't not start.
So, I'm going to WD everything with the ol hank Hill treatment on the weekend. I will go and see if I can see what he did in the daylight.
All in all, its much better than worst case scenario.
Corroded wire from the battery to the PCM. Tow included, diagnostic included, work included, 600$. The staff at Scarborough Chrysler were super friendly, super fast, super professional...... But a 600$ wire...... What did I expect from a dealership? The wife wanted me to get rid of my Cadillac because service was expensive, but the Cadillac didn't not start.
So, I'm going to WD everything with the ol hank Hill treatment on the weekend. I will go and see if I can see what he did in the daylight.
All in all, its much better than worst case scenario.
Well, I went out with a flashlight and stuck my head up under the dash and didn't see anything. Before I start work in the morning I'll have a look under the hood. I will honestly tell you that there is no kill switch there for MY debt, but it might be possible that there is one there for the previous owner. I only bought it in December.
Google is pointing to a small black box about the size of a deck of cards that is USUALLY under the dash, but sometimes under the hood.
Kind of an off the topic question, but if this is the case will the dealership even take this device off the car if I can't find it? If in fact that is the issue.
I couldn't find that thread you mentioned about the lady with similar issues. I'm stumped as to why I would get a dash message if this was an aftermarket kill switch.
And if in fact this is what you say it may be, I guess some repo guy is going to come and take my car if I get the gps removed anyway, they know where I live....... Ugggh I'm freaking out. Am I protected in any way?
Thanks for your input.
Where's all the people that tell me tap the right mirror twice, wiggle your nose, press menu, and vOilla FIXED!
Google is pointing to a small black box about the size of a deck of cards that is USUALLY under the dash, but sometimes under the hood.
Kind of an off the topic question, but if this is the case will the dealership even take this device off the car if I can't find it? If in fact that is the issue.
I couldn't find that thread you mentioned about the lady with similar issues. I'm stumped as to why I would get a dash message if this was an aftermarket kill switch.
And if in fact this is what you say it may be, I guess some repo guy is going to come and take my car if I get the gps removed anyway, they know where I live....... Ugggh I'm freaking out. Am I protected in any way?
Thanks for your input.
Where's all the people that tell me tap the right mirror twice, wiggle your nose, press menu, and vOilla FIXED!
#7
02-09-2016, 02:54 PM
DIAGNOSIS/FIXED
Corroded wire from the battery to the PCM. Tow included, diagnostic included, work included, 600$. The staff at Scarborough Chrysler were super friendly, super fast, super professional...... But a 600$ wire...... What did I expect from a dealership? The wife wanted me to get rid of my Cadillac because service was expensive, but the Cadillac didn't not start.
So, I'm going to WD everything with the ol hank Hill treatment on the weekend. I will go and see if I can see what he did in the daylight.
All in all, its much better than worst case scenario.
Corroded wire from the battery to the PCM. Tow included, diagnostic included, work included, 600$. The staff at Scarborough Chrysler were super friendly, super fast, super professional...... But a 600$ wire...... What did I expect from a dealership? The wife wanted me to get rid of my Cadillac because service was expensive, but the Cadillac didn't not start.
So, I'm going to WD everything with the ol hank Hill treatment on the weekend. I will go and see if I can see what he did in the daylight.
All in all, its much better than worst case scenario.
Glad to hear that Scarborough Chrysler took care of you!
Kathleen
Top Care Specialist
FCA Canada
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Pamela Buckles
Chrysler Pacifica
15
01-09-2015 08:09 AM
dphickster
Chrysler Voyager & Town & Country
5
05-05-2008 09:00 PM