You are here:

Chrysler Repair/'00 minivan: electrical system discharging

Advertisement

Expert: - 6/5/2011


Question
I have a 2000 Chrysler Town and Country 3.8L Limited.  I bought it used about 3 years ago.  I have replaced the radiator and the computer and had various other minor work done on it.  Recently, the van has started having trouble while idling.  If it idles for very long, the voltage light comes on and the electronics slowly die as the battery drains.  Often, this is accompanied by an increase in the temperature gauge above the normal running temp.  So far, this has not happened if I let the van sit in neutral while idling.  The weather since this has started has been uncharacteristically hot, into the 90's, I believe, on the day this started.

Answer
Hi Joshua,
The voltage light means that the voltage on the system is lower than the battery voltage, so the battery will discharge over time. It could be a shorting out of current or a failing of the generator. I would suggest that you try for fault codes using the ignition key:"on-off-on-off-on and leave on" doing that in 5 seconds or less elapsed time. Then watch the odometer window of the instrument cluster to see if the mileage reading is replaced by a 4-digit number(s) preceded by a P. Let me know, if so, and we'll go from there.
Roland

Chrysler Repair

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Roland Finston

Expertise

I specialize in Chrysler/Dodge/Plymouth cars, minivans, and SUV's for the model years 1982-2008 based upon my 50-year DIY experience, factory shop manuals and wiring diagrams. I offer fast repair advice to help you minimize repair costs by helping you diagnose and do it yourself. Problems with electronically controlled engines and transmissions as well as body wiring problems are my specialty.

I take questions one at a time between 8am and 10pm CT and attempt to answer within 20 minutes. "Maxed Out" means I am answering another question of otherwise busy, so try again later.

There are answers on file to more than sixteen thousand Chrysler questions at your finger tips: put a few key words in the "find" box (above) or click on "view past answers" for a chronological list of my q and a's. Don't use "Add to this answer" if you still have a question...ask it. As to trucks and jeeps I only have manuals for the '04-'06 model years.

Experience

Five decades as a 'do-it-yourselfer' on domestic and imported cars

Organizations
Yahoo Autos Group called The Chrysler Lebaron Club (co-moderator)

Education/Credentials
Degrees in Physics/bruised knuckles.

Awards and Honors
"Top expert of 2010" and "2011" at Allexperts. Among top 50 experts for years 2006-2009 at Allexperts.

Quickest "average response time" at Allexperts (currently no. 1).

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.