[ManuTahiti]

Hi everybody!


Our 2008 Grand Caravan 3.8 L has been imported in my country (Tahiti) in 2010 and was working fine for almost 10 years
6 months ago the ignition begun to malfunction: to key would not come out of the switch anymore, locked on the ON position.
we had to wait for hours and eventually it would come out.
A few weeks later the key would not work any more, at all: no contact (ON) and nothing worked: no lights on the dash expect mileage,
no doors lock, no windows. Still is the same today.
A local garage advises us to order on new PCM, that we did and received last week, from FlagShip one, programmed with the car's VIN number.
I changed the PCM but no change. I suspect the key ignition system to be the problem. I have no way to daignose.
No need to say there's no dealer here!
Any idea ?

Thanks for any help!

Manu

 

[Michalb]

I suspect that the issue is the WCM (Wireless control module) it's the unit you plug the key into. It also acts as a antenna (if you don't have the remote start antenna, which plugs into the WCM anyways).The unit works when you insert the key, similarly to tapping your credit card.

Before you buy anything else, do you have just one key fob or 2 key fobs? If you have 2, make sure both do the same thing. If you have just one, take the key fully apart and inspect the circuit board. On the top part of the key (on the back side of the board that doesn't have the button contact points) look near where the panic button is (on the back side). There is this big chip piece which stores all of the information for the key, including all the codes and everything. Make sure that it is attached well, and all the solder points are still secure. If these points get loose, you will have issues with the key, possibly all that you have.

These vans had a WCM recall, all the 08-10 year vans were affected. The process was that the WCM, and they key fobs were replaced for new ones. I suspect that is your problem, if the above step I mentioned is as it should be, based upon all the symptoms you have described. If you haven't had the WCM replaced, you could contact Dodge online through email and talk to them about the recall if it hasn't been done to you van yet. They might be able to help get a new one and new keys for you.

 

[Michalb]

These vans had a WCM recall, all the 08-10 year vans were affected. The process was that the WCM, and they key fobs were replaced for new ones. I suspect that is your problem, if the above step I mentioned is as it should be, based upon all the symptoms you have described.

Correction. The WCM's were recalled because overtime the unit's springs got loose and while driving with other keys dangling, they had the possibility of shutting off the vehicle engine while driving or something of that sort. I meant to say that the issue you have, could be that your WCM is failing, or has a bad contact point. These units are quite difficult to take apart, and fixing them will be even harder because of the inner frame pieces, which are all held together and can only be taken apart by removing multiple soldering contact points on the board itself.

 

[ManuTahiti]

Many thanks for the hint, I'm going to check to 2 keys. For the WCM issue, I don't know if the WCM recall was done, as the car was imported from the states in 2010.
I guess that replacing the whole system has to be ordered from an offcial dealer.
I keep you posted.

 

[ManuTahiti]

I check on the keys, they are fine and were changed recently and programmed by a local locksmith.
I checked on the WIN module online, it's hidden behind the dashboard and is not easy to remove. I will try to do that.
Meanwhile I wonder if any new WIN module can be ordered on the internet, seems to be difficult to find for the 2008 Caravan, I found only OEM models for recent years like 2014.
I also found a shop Auto Tech Electronics from Laredo who is offering to repair those modules. Any hint ?

 

[Michalb]

Well, these must be programmed to your specific VIN, and there's a procedure of resetting and reprogramming the keys in order to replace the WIN. Here, it's left to the dealers.

I can easily find you a used WIN from a salvage vehicle, my local junkyard has plenty. It's just a matter of, who will replace the unit, and who will re-program it for you.

The actual removal and re-installation isn't too hard, there's just a bunch of steps involved. Here is a great video on the dash removal to get at the instrument cluster. The only difference for you is, instead of removing the cluster, you remove the key module:

 

[Sienile]

About the guy offering repair services, make sure he doesn't just repair the problem Michalb mentioned. If he can actually repair the electronic portion of it and/or transfer the data to another module, that may be the best option for your situation. Otherwise you'll need to find someone with a dealer programmer to install a new one. Pretty sure there's something about not being able to reprogram a used one.

 

[ManuTahiti]

Thank you Michalb for the offer, it could be useful!
I think the next step will be to remove the WIM module and have a look.

 

[Michalb]

About the guy offering repair services, make sure he doesn't just repair the problem Michalb mentioned. If he can actually repair the electronic portion of it and/or transfer the data to another module, that may be the best option for your situation. Otherwise you'll need to find someone with a dealer programmer to install a new one. Pretty sure there's something about not being able to reprogram a used one.

Well, I know you can't just plug in a WCM from a different van, it won't work because of the VIN and key codes. But there has to be a different way to do this.

Maybe you should reach out to Dodge/Chryser or FCA, see what they say.

There's also the recall of the driver airbag emblem turning into a projectile, so these 2 things you really should contact them about, because they are important. (I would contact them before you do anything, maybe they will get you new keys+a new WCM free of charge and have the local trusted shop do it for you, and they pay the labor).

 

[Sienile]

Maybe you should reach out to Dodge/Chryser or FCA, see what they say.

ChryslerCares is the forum's Chrysler representative. Send them a message and they should get back to you. They might be able to direct you to someone that works on Chryslers in Tahiti.

 

[ManuTahiti]

I'm keeping you guys in the loop... I received a new win mopar module + 2 keys and put the device back in the car, but not luck, the car is still not runing. Contact is back and starter is running.
I took one plug off to test ignition, it works, so I think it might be a fuel problem, as the car has not moved for 8 months now. This is gazoline in the tank.
Any clue on how to check fuel admission on this engine ? I heard there is a valve for this purpose?

 

[Michalb]

I'm keeping you guys in the loop... I received a new win mopar module + 2 keys and put the device back in the car, but not luck, the car is still not runing. Contact is back and starter is running.
I took one plug off to test ignition, it works, so I think it might be a fuel problem, as the car has not moved for 8 months now. This is gazoline in the tank.
Any clue on how to check fuel admission on this engine ? I heard there is a valve for this purpose?

So to clarify, the engine is receiving spark, is that correct?

Not sure how you'd test the pump itself, what you should check first is make sure the fuel pump fuse is good before doing anything else.

Someone else may be able to pitch in on how to test the pump itself if the fuse is good, I'd suggest removing the connector and checking both power and ground to the pump itself but I think that requires the tank to be removed. If you have power and ground at the connector and they both are fine using a voltmeter, then the issue will be the fuel pump assemble which the entire pump assembly needs to be replaced.

 

[ManuTahiti]

Yes, correct, spark is there!
The fuel pump might be clogged or as you suggest the pump fuse , but I changed the fuse box a few month ago.
I'll check that first. The tank is under the car so I'll won't be able to do it myself.

 

[Sienile]

Test your fuel pump by jumpering these fuses together and trying to crank it like normal. If that works, the relay inside the TIPM is bad. To bypass it, grab a universal relay and socket and wire it up like this.