PCM issues/Check engine light - AGAIN!

[Mia Harrod]

We are a military family and we own a 2002 Chrysler Town and Country mini-van. In September of 2008 our "Check Engine" light kept coming on so we took it to the dealer and they said we needed a new PCM for our car. So we did as they asked and we had the PCM replaced. Which seemed to fix the issues, but now it's happening again (3 years later)!! I called Chrysler and they told us that there is nothing they can do for us, so now we have to fork over another $1000 dollars for another new PCM. Has anyone else had these horrible issues with Chrysler like we have? If they don't fix this problem, we are selling our Chrysler and never again buying another Chrysler again. As a military family we work too hard for our money to be screwed over this way. We would rather not deal with a company like Chrysler who clearly has manufacturer defected products and refuses to pay for them!

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[Raptor 07]

"Has anyone else had these horrible issues with Chrysler like we have?" Some have had much much worse. Some have had zero problems.

Far be it from me to even appear to defend Chrysler but 3 years isn't completely unreasonable for any manufacturer. We all want the "unbreakable" car. Toyota is considered a benchmark for reliability by many but Toyota forums have their share of nightmare stories. I owned an 87 Camry for 14 years. Never changed anything but the normal wear Items. Can't say the same for the two Toyotas I've owned since. I still consider them reliable cars.

PCMs are warranted for 8 years or 80K miles by the EPA. Not sure if that applies to replaced PCMs. Could it have applied to your original PCM? May be due a refund.

$1000 sounds typical for a dealership. PCMs are available at many sources for around $300. AutoZone for one. One popular web based source is http://www.autocomputerexchange.com/ You supply your VIN #, they program it, you install it. Takes 10 minutes.

What code is generating the CE light? What other symptoms are you seeing?

[CHRYSLER TECH]

8 80 is only from when the car is new so it was over in 2010 or b4 u hit 80k miles
Any part sold by the dealer is 12 months 12k miles that is standard on anything u buy besides things like engines and transmissions.
What are the codes that U have for the check engine light?

[Mia Harrod]

The PCM was covered under the 8 year warranty and replaced with a new PCM in Sept 2008 (I think I already stated that). 3 years later the new PCM that Chrysler installed under warranty is now broken again. There's no reason for this. We plan to trade the car in "as is" and after we were treated poorly by Chrysler today we will not EVER be purchasing a Chrysler again, too many issues with Chrysler cars, not worth the headaches that come with being a Chrysler customer.

Originally Posted by Raptor 07

"Has anyone else had these horrible issues with Chrysler like we have?" Some have had much much worse. Some have had zero problems.

Far be it from me to even appear to defend Chrysler but 3 years isn't completely unreasonable for any manufacturer. We all want the "unbreakable" car. Toyota is considered a benchmark for reliability by many but Toyota forums have their share of nightmare stories. I owned an 87 Camry for 14 years. Never changed anything but the normal wear Items. Can't say the same for the two Toyotas I've owned since. I still consider them reliable cars.

PCMs are warranted for 8 years or 80K miles by the EPA. Not sure if that applies to replaced PCMs. Could it have applied to your original PCM? May be due a refund.

$1000 sounds typical for a dealership. PCMs are available at many sources for around $300. AutoZone for one. One popular web based source is http://www.autocomputerexchange.com/ You supply your VIN #, they program it, you install it. Takes 10 minutes.

What code is generating the CE light? What other symptoms are you seeing?

[CHRYSLER TECH]

hold up a sec this is what U stated "so now we have to fork over another $1000 dollars for another new PCM" if its under warranty u don't pay for anything how is it that u paid 1000 for something under a warranty?

[TNtech]

I saw that too. Key word being Another. OK, so you are saying you want them warranty something 3 years later, that you didn't pay for in the first place? How did you arrive at that logic? You were covered fully during the warranty period. They have no obligation to you anymore, legally, ethically or otherwise.

Too many issues with Chrysler car, eh? Is this why you kept it for 10 years?