Engine Shut Off, Will Not Restart

[Stevearino]

Originally Posted by Hooligan

Assumption is correct. The Chrysler warranty should cover the tow job, if youu use Chrysler Hotline!!

D'oh....oh well, now I know.

[CREWZIN]

OK, we were thinking about the starter and cables (taking off and cleaning terminals, dead spot on solenoid). Negative cable broke off in your hands. The positive cable goes down to the solenoid (I think) so if something is bad with the positive cable, maybe that IS your answer. Hope so. Good luck.

[Stevearino]

I hope it is too. Don't really feel bad about getting them to replace the cables either. After looking off into that mess of an engine compartment yesterday I really did not relish the idea of doing myself if it was necessary.

[Stevearino]

Well, it died on the wife on the way home from the dealer. Intermittently would not start back up, would start up then die, would start up and then die when you put it in drive. Used my warranty to get it towed back to the dealer tonight.

Oh, also replaced the alternator on my 93 Chevy P/U tonight. Sheesh, I had to go and say something good about it yesterday.

[CREWZIN]

Damn, I feel for ya Steve. Probably like laneslate, they'll throw a bunch more parts at it. Hopefully, they might find the real problem.

[Stevearino]

Dealer can find nothing wrong with the car.

I guess I will have to go over there this afternoon and drive the car around their lot until it dies, then show them that we are not crazy.

[Stevearino]

Well, the dealer FINALLY got it to have problems.

Seems that it is a defective part that has to do with recognizing the chip in the key and allowing the car to start. He told me what it was in the voicemail but I had a bad connection and didn't catch the exact name. They will have to order the part but hopefully it will be in tomorrow and the Cruiser will be saved from an undignified tow truck ride back to the dealership again.

[CREWZIN]

Good news ......finally. Lets hope they got it right!

[Stevearino]

Made it all the way home this time.

It was almost comical when my wife got in and used her key to start it up, only to see it die almost immediately.

Put my key back in and it ran fine. Swapped them back and forth for a bit and only had repeated successes and failures. Turns out they had to reprogram my wife's key

It was the SKIM chip that was the problem. Just over $200 to get it fixed.

Thanks for the help earlier guys. Hope this thread might help someone else out in the future that is experiencing similar problems.

Happy Cruising

Steve

[CREWZIN]

Glad you got it sorted out. Here's a little more info for you on that.

The antitheft device incorporates a Sentry Key Immobilizer Module
(SKIM), a Powertrain Control Module (PCM), and a sentry key. The Sentry
Key Immobilizer System (SKIS) prevents the engine from running for more
than 2 seconds unless a valid key is in the ignition switch. The
immobilizer feature is activated when the key is removed from the
ignition switch whether the vehicle doors are open or not. Once
activated, only a valid key inserted into the ignition switch will
disable immobilization and allow the vehicle to start and continue to
run. A visual telltale light alerts the owner that an unauthorized
attempt to start the vehicle has been made.
When the sentry key is placed in the ignition, the SKIM and the key
communicate via a radio-frequency (RF) signal. After the SKIM
determines that the key is valid, the SKIM requests a Seed Response
Message code from the PCM on all vehicles. The PCM then verifies the
code from the SKIM and transmits a key status (valid/invalid signal).
The foregoing communication requires approximately 2 seconds to
perform. Therefore, in order to avoid any perceived delay when starting
the vehicle with a valid key, and to prevent unburned fuel from
entering the exhaust, the engine is permitted to run for no more than 2
seconds if an invalid key is used. If the code from the SKIM is invalid,
the PCM immobilizes the vehicle by shutting down the engine (after the
initial 2 second run). Only 6 consecutive invalid vehicle start
attempts will be permitted. All further invalid attempts are locked out
by not firing fuel injectors and not engaging the starter. Only the
communication with a valid key is required to permit the engine to
start and run.