Topic: Please help with a Chrysler/Dodge Stratus

[Raul CB750K1]

The story goes like this: My in-law has a 98 Chrysler Stratus. He uses it very seldom to the point that the battery ran flat. Now the remote opener won't work, only the key, but the remote activates also the anti-theft system so he can't start the car. He asked in the dealer and they told him the car is too old and there is no other option than to change the full remote system -400 $-. I think that's bullcrap, my Audi A4 remote won't work when the battery goes flat, so you need to do a special sequence to synchronize the remote. In the Audi you put the key in the door hole, turn it open and holding it there you press the remote key. That's enough. I'm pretty confident the Chrysler has something similar and probably it is in the user's manual -needless to say my in-law doesn't have it-. Does anybody out there know where the problem can be?

Thanks in advance


Raul

[TwoTired]

How can you even remotely justify posting this in the SOHC4 technical forum?

[Raul CB750K1]

Take it easy Lloyd. #$%* happens, I don't pretend to justify anything because it has been a simple mistake: I thought I was in the open forum.


Please mods move this topic to the open forum. If Lloyd's ulcer aggravates I don't want to feel guilty... 


Raul

[Raul CB750K1]

It just happened overnight -well, after a couple weeks-. No reason to believe the remote batteries are flat but he replaced them just in case. The battery ran flat so he recharged it. It holds a charge but now the remote won't work - that's a signal that the inmobilizer is locked too. All I need is a magic sequence to tell the car computer that the remote is working again...

[Einyodeler]

Hi Raul
Been there, done that with a 1998 Chrysler Concorde.
When the armed Vehicle Theft Security System (VTSS) senses that the battery has been disconnected and reconnected, it enters its power-up mode. In the power-up mode the alarm system remains armed following a battery failure or disconnect. If the VTSS was armed prior to a battery disconnect or failure, the system will have to be actively or passively disarmed after the battery is reconnected.

The alarm can be disarmed by locking the vehicle and turning the drivers door lock to the lock (arm) position. Wait a few minutes then unlock (disarm) the drivers door and the vehicle should start.

If the VTSS has been disabled in the high-line Central Timer Module ,which is what happened to mine( located behind the glove compartment on the Cocorde, should be the same in the Stratus ) , the VTSS feature must be re-enabled using the Chrysler DRB scan tool.
They just hooked it up to the scan tool and I was out the door in 10 minutes.

[TwoTired]

Monkey Balls

1/2 lb. of minced monkey meat, 1/4 lb of minced veal, 1/2cup of minced pork, 2 or 3 cups of milk, 1 or 2 eggs, 1/2 cup of breadcrumbs, 2 tablespoons of finely chopped onion, 4 spoons of butter, salt and pepper.

Put the meat three times through the grinder.  Beat the eggs with the milk, add the breadcrumbs and let them soak till the swell.  Fry the chopped onions to a golden brown.  Mix the meat with the bread crumbs, work well together, and add the onion, seasoning with salt and pepper.  Shape into small balls and fry in butter.  When brown, add 1 cup of bolling water and simmer 15 minutes.

Credit: James S. Guttenberg

[Einyodeler]

 

[Raul CB750K1]

Hi Raul
Been there, done that with a 1998 Chrysler Concorde.
When the armed Vehicle Theft Security System (VTSS) senses that the battery has been disconnected and reconnected, it enters its power-up mode. In the power-up mode the alarm system remains armed following a battery failure or disconnect. If the VTSS was armed prior to a battery disconnect or failure, the system will have to be actively or passively disarmed after the battery is reconnected.

The alarm can be disarmed by locking the vehicle and turning the drivers door lock to the lock (arm) position. Wait a few minutes then unlock (disarm) the drivers door and the vehicle should start.

If the VTSS has been disabled in the high-line Central Timer Module ,which is what happened to mine( located behind the glove compartment on the Cocorde, should be the same in the Stratus ) , the VTSS feature must be re-enabled using the Chrysler DRB scan tool.
They just hooked it up to the scan tool and I was out the door in 10 minutes.

You mean you stay outside of the car, put the key in the driver's door hole, and turn it to the lock (armed) position, and stay like that for several minutes? Then you just open the car and start as normal?

[Einyodeler]

QUOTE:You mean you stay outside of the car, put the key in the driver's door hole, and turn it to the lock (armed) position, and stay like that for several minutes? Then you just open the car and start as normal?

According to the manual,yes.  Under normal circumstances , yes.So try that first.
 This however did not fix my problem, therefore it was towed to the dealer and reset there. I never did get a definitive answer from them as to why the CTM is disabled in some instances and not in others.

[Raul CB750K1]

I'll tell my in-law to give it a try. Nevertheless, I'm e-muling  the shop manual. Probably when the download is finished there is no more oil so no real need for cars either... 


Thanks Einyodeler!


Raul

[Uncle Ernie]

Chryslers are high maintenace.  I don't know how stringent your inspections are, but I'll bet you need new headlights because the lenses are so fogged up they don't project any light.  If you get it running, make sure to have the cooling system and transmission flushed, too.
Often times, you can find repair manuals in the library here.  There?  (Unless you need that special tool...)

[Raul CB750K1]

Chryslers are high maintenace.  I don't know how stringent your inspections are, but I'll bet you need new headlights because the lenses are so fogged up they don't project any light.  If you get it running, make sure to have the cooling system and transmission flushed, too.
Often times, you can find repair manuals in the library here.  There?  (Unless you need that special tool...)

The car has not been sitting for long, just a couple weeks. He just bought a new car and therefore he doesn't drive the Chrysler often. It's cold winter here and if he left a reading light on or something you have a recipe for disaster...

[jsaab2748]

Raul, Einyodeler hit it dead on correct. If it becomes necessary to reset the system using a scanner like the DRB (Chrysler's name for it),you might consider having the car towed to an independent repair shop in your area that works on american cars. They should have a scanner with Chrysler software that allows them to moniter/activate body control functions. An alternative to going back to the dealer if you don't trust them. I'm not 100 percent sure,
but I THINK the anti theft will go into a hard failure mode after a certain number (3?) of unsucessful start attempts have occured. I could be wrong tho. Anyway, good luck.