Expert: Roland Finston - 9/6/2011

Question
Hi Ron,
My '02 town and country has been reading "done" in the odometer display and not starting. Eventually after anywhere from 3-6 times it does start. What should I do? I did get a new battery put in two weeks ago and then this started???
Thanks!
Christine

Answer
Hi Christine,
The 'done' in the odometer window usually follows a self-diagnosis for fault codes which typically begins by your turning the ignition switch:"on-off-on-off-on and leave on" doing that in 5 seconds or less elapsed time. It leads me to wonder if perhaps you have an ignition switch that has a flaky contact in the 'on' position which is being 'seen' by the engine computer as an 'on-off' action, so that it is interpreting your action as if you wanted it to do a code readout.
If that contact was flaky you could correct that by removing the panel on the underside of the dash (2 screws on either side of the parking brake release handle) then disconnect the relese cable frome the handel, then remove the panel on the underside of the steering column proper (3 screws) to get at the switch. Then use a spray can of electrical contact cleaner with a straw applicator to spray the cleaner inside the switch to clean off the contacts. That cleaner is sold in electronics stores.
However it may be just a 'glitch' in the logic of the computer that happened when the battery was changed. I would first try disconnecting the - post clamp at the battery, then touch that detached clamp to the + post clamp for a minute, then reconnect the clamp back on the - post. Then see if that has solved the problem. Then if not let me know and if you have a glow light (12 volt) or voltmeter we can check out that ignition switch being flakey possibility.
Also, while you are at the battery, check to see if the thinnest-diameter wire of the three on that clamp might be corroded or flaky in its connection to the clamp. That too could cause a 'gremlin' such as you are experiencing.
Roland