Initially the car dash went haywire, wipers activated on their own, ac cut out, and the car lost power. It wouldn't restart, and I smelled a burning smell. Had the car towed to Dodge, where I was told there was a recall for alternator. After the alternator repair (free for recall), I was told the starter needed to be replaced because it is now inoperable. It seemed odd and related to the original issue, but I authorized my starter to be replaced.
After the starter replacement, I was contacted that the car won't start because battery is dead and needed to be replaced. Again, I believed this was related to original issue, but needed my car, so I okayed replacing the battery too. The car ran fine for about 4-5 months. And then again, the car died with no notice. I had it towed back to Dodge, and was told a part had failed, but it was under warranty. 3 weeks later, car died while in a parking stall in park. I read all the paperwork and noticed Dodge had replaced the fuel pump relay, so I went into Dodge and paid $32 for a new relay. I popped it in and the car was back to normal. I am now on my fifth fuel pump relay and Dodge cannot tell me what the issue is.
I am not a mechanic, but I find it odd the alternator, starter and battery all die same time. I now know there is another recall notice, but no known fix yet. There is something that is making the fuel pump relay fail, but I think Dodge is looking for the cheapest fix. I think it may be the TIPM, but that's an expensive fix.
Had to get car towed again. This time towed it to the garage close by. Had to pay addition towing fee last time. Towed to garage and now it starts! They towed it the last time, so they know there is something wrong. They are trying to get it to fail to start again and will call me. If this happens again I am going to the Dealer to replace or pay off my car.
Update from Nov 14, 2018: One more thing on the 10th ( wo days before it completely conked out) the engine stalled in traffic.
The remote start does not work when it is cold, below ~20F: it honks once, then nothing (doesn't even attempt to turn over). Otherwise it works fine when it is warm. This is an OEM remote start, no aftermarket accessories, all doors are closed, fuel tank is 1/2 full, I just replaced the key fob battery and no codes are displayed. This has happened on at least 5 different occasions over the last 2 months.
TIPM, they said nothing was wrong at the dealership after having it towed once, not starting again, everything seems on, but no engine. Won't shut off either, acts like everything is fine, but lights, dash, everything is like it's on and won't shut off... I've read about the TIPM tonight, sounds like I'm going to play heck getting one of those.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Initially the car dash went haywire, wipers activated on their own, ac cut out, and the car lost power. It wouldn't restart, and I smelled a burning smell. Had the car towed to Dodge, where I was told there was a recall for alternator. After the alternator repair (free for recall), I was told the starter needed to be replaced because it is now inoperable. It seemed odd and related to the original issue, but I authorized my starter to be replaced.
After the starter replacement, I was contacted that the car won't start because battery is dead and needed to be replaced. Again, I believed this was related to original issue, but needed my car, so I okayed replacing the battery too. The car ran fine for about 4-5 months. And then again, the car died with no notice. I had it towed back to Dodge, and was told a part had failed, but it was under warranty. 3 weeks later, car died while in a parking stall in park. I read all the paperwork and noticed Dodge had replaced the fuel pump relay, so I went into Dodge and paid $32 for a new relay. I popped it in and the car was back to normal. I am now on my fifth fuel pump relay and Dodge cannot tell me what the issue is.
I am not a mechanic, but I find it odd the alternator, starter and battery all die same time. I now know there is another recall notice, but no known fix yet. There is something that is making the fuel pump relay fail, but I think Dodge is looking for the cheapest fix. I think it may be the TIPM, but that's an expensive fix.
- Nathan R., Ewa Beach, HI, US