Crazy Electrical Issues
 

Hey guys, I just bought a 2014 T&C with 23,000 miles on it. The van is in great shape, clearly well cared for.

We started noticing some weird electrical issues almost immediately - wipers turning on, AC cutting out for a second, small stuff - then the whole dash went nuts with all the gauges and lights, wipers and AC cutting in and out at once.

From what I've read, this sounds very much like a bad TIPM. Is there a way to be sure? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Try disconnecting the battery for a few minutes to reset the computer and see if that helps.
Let us know if it works for you.

Hi CinSC,
We understand why this may be concerning. We suggest having your dealer inspect this concern if you have not done so already. We are also available via private message if you would like any additional assistance during that process.
Lydia
Chrysler Social Care Specialist

Thanks. I was concerned after reading some of the issues resulting from bad TIPMs, so I disconnected the batter overnight. The problem recurred on the way to the dealer. Sustained right turns trigger it. ??

Anyway, the electrical guru at the Chrysler dealer is narrowing the problem down to the radio - maybe. :)

The problem may be due to ac relay in the fuse box under cover at the driver side

I had a "No Bus" electrical problem that led the dealer to replace the radio, which didn't fix the error. If you are getting a ground fault somewhere it will take a dozen modules offline and record all those in the computer and there is no way of knowing what is causing the issue. The dealer will only tell you that they can narrow it down while it is doing the error, which can be impossible if you don't know what is causing it. In my case, it only happened when my wife was driving the van. Took me weeks and weeks to figure out what was causing it. My wife is very short and drives with the seat far forward. Over the course of 2.5 years the unprotected wiring harness under the seat was wearing against the seat bracket, which only happened in her seat position, not mine. I taped up the wires and the problem went away. Long story short, it could be any wire, anywhere causing an issue. You have to use your sleuthing skills to figure it out. I thought all hope was lost because the dealer couldn't find it and it went out of warranty during that time.

Well, the dealer replaced the radio and some of the problems are resolved. So the hunt continues.

The "seat forward" issue you had is interesting. My van schitzes out when we make a sustained right turn - like on an on ramp.

Whatever the case, I'm not sure we want to keep this thing. How often are these weird issues sorted out for good?

It wouldn’t take much time to check out the wiring harness under the seat. Also, check out the wiring on second row of seats if they have heated seats (mine does). While the van is idling in the driveway start moving things, pushing on seats, wiggling door harnesses and so on. Much cheaper than trading it in a losing all that value. It’s probably something really stupidly simple.