On 3/21/18 I was driving through a major intersection when the battery dash light came on in my truck. I found this to be odd since I had just had a brand-new battery installed on in my truck on 1/8/18. Then the following events occurred in rapid succession: all of the dash warning lights came on, the A/C which was on at the time and blowing very cold air, began blowing hot air, I attempted to roll down the electric powered windows and they would not work; the windshield wipers came on without prompting.
I quickly decided to turn around and go back home since I was a short distance away. I decided to take a route through a residential neighborhood since I was unsure what would happen next and thought it would be best not to be on a major roadway if anything further occurred. I made a left into the residential neighborhood and noticed my truck was moving very sluggish and making a weird noise. I was approaching a stop sign up ahead; however, before I could apply the brakes my truck just cut off.
I quickly put the gear in park and attempted to turn on my hazard light for oncoming traffic to go around me but I realized at this point my truck had absolutely no power. A gentleman on a bicycle stopped to assist me and we decided it would be best if he pushed my truck around the corner I was stalled at, to keep from obstructing oncoming traffic. He instructed me to put the truck in neutral but I was unable to do so, I could not turn the car on nor could I move it out of park gear.
The street I was stopped on is a major road for entering and exiting the neighborhood that I was attempting to pass through to get home. The street I was on is a major road for entering and exiting the neighborhood that I was attempting to pass through to get home. I stood at the back of my truck and directed traffic to go around me, I called AAA for a tow, when the driver arrived he attempted to jump the battery but it would not turn on or over. He had to slide under my truck to disconnect something in order to place the truck in neutral to get it on the tow truck.
I have not had any work or diagnostics performed on my truck as I am recently unemployed and do not have the funds to pay for the costs associated with either. However, I have conducted research online and discovered a multitude of reviews, blogs, news stories and feedback from others who experienced the same issues which appear to be associated with the TIPM’s (Totally Integrated Power Module known as a faulty manufacturers issue.
This all started w/engine light coming on, using an OBD2 reader, retrieved engine codes for exhaust leak. Checked for same and actually did find a problem w/a leak located @ the muffler. Same was replaced, along w/the (4) 02 sensors. 2-upstream, banks 1 & 2, 2-downstream, banks 1 & 2. OEM parts. All seemed normal for a day. Then, like turning on a light switch, engine light just coming on w/completely different diagnostic codes. I could not find any problems and subsequently had the vehicle checked out @ a local garage, they suggested changing the 02 sensors even though they were new. according to the engine codes, both banks were supposedly experiencing high circuit voltage. The sensors were changed once again and rechecked, same issue, same codes present. Circuit voltage check revealed proper voltage. Now, the vehicle under normal driving conditions just loses power as if I'm in neutral, engine begins to shutter, no response to fuel pedal and after about 40-50 seconds regains idle but is still sluggish to respond. Meanwhile other engine codes have been set ranging from loose gas cap, cylinder misfires on both banks and numerous others to include: P1128 & 1129, PO132, PO138, PO152, PO300, PO455. This last one was where it all started. now, it is being suggested to change the TIPM or have the dealer perform a diagnostic and update the ECM/PM. Well, I am just made of money and have unlimited sources to invest time into this w/o being able to use it and just want to continue making this my life's ambition to figure out this issue. This is not only costly, but ridiculous, annoying, frustrating and on the part of Dodge, downright despicable. No one can tell me a sure fix, just that it seems to be the engine computer. i am now pursuing this and I am finding that this part is not easy to get. Now what ? can someone w/info help me ?
My car is a 2007 Dodge Nitro. A Recall for this same issue went out in 2007 but excluded my car by literally a week. My car was built on Feb. 7th 2007 which is why it wasn't included in the recall. Several consumers have been having the same issue as myself. The part is on back order which means I would have to wait months for the issue to be resolved leaving me without a vehicle in which the dealership won't provide a rental. I have discovered the issue is with the TIPM and have been given the run around about the resolution. Please put a call to action against Chrysler as they clearly don't care about their consumers or their safety.
This happened to me twice already. From my research it is the TIPM that is faulty and should have been recalled by Chrysler but I haven't seen a recall on my specific model although other Dodge models have a recall for the same part.
Wife was driving us home from day in the big city. Had taken a 'short cut' through a state park with a very narrow and windy road. Fortunately, we were only doing about 15mph, because on a 90 degree right hand corner, Nitro completely turned off, leaving only the dash lights on! Had we been going any faster, ordeal would have likely ended in an all expenses paid trip over the 500 ft. drop off. Who knows how much fun that would have been.
- Aaron M.,
Saint Maries, ID, US
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
Driving through urban neighborhood, about 25mph. Car engine shut off with no warning while all the dash lights that normally come on during the start sequence, lit up. In less than two seconds, it restarted. Continued to my destination with no problems...for now.
1st time the vehicle power shut down while driving at highway speed, En-route from NC to Ga to attend my son's basic training graduation in 2007, vehicle had less than 5,000 miles on odometer. Entire electrical system "Rebooted" and we were (Thankfully) able to continue uninterrupted. There is absolutely no warning when power goes out, and no guarantee the vehicle will resume "Normal" operation.
Update from Sept 3, 2014: 2nd power loss, while driving from home to work (a trip of less than 12 miles) This was in 2010, after retiring from Active Duty myself, same conditions, absolutely no warning, everything electrical shut down, tach dropped to zero as engine cut off, in the space of 1/2 second, the engine restarted, all the electrical systems flashed on (all the idiot lights came back up as if the engine has just restarted). This time we took it to the dealership for diagnostics (all of which came back "Normal"), odometer had just turned 26,000 miles.
Update from Sept 3, 2014: 3rd power loss occurred while traveling to Michigan, early February 2012, odometer nudging the 45K range. Exact same scenario, cruising along, radio playing when suddenly. NOTHING. No music, no gauges, no lights, (Kinda dangerous at night don't cha think?) Vehicle is basically coasting uphill. Again we stopped at the nearest automotive shop with diagnostic equipment, reiterated the entire scenario to the mechanics, received the same "deer in the headlights" stare and got the same negative diagnostic report. They say there is nothing wrong with our vehicle. WTF? It's not like I'm claiming a ghost appeared and turned the key off.
Update from Sep 3, 2014: Okay, now we are into 2014 and it's happened again. I'm not even going to restate the issue, it's the same old drill all over again with the same dumb stare from the dealership, "It did what?" "that couldn't have happened" is all I keep hearing. This is damn frustrating!
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
On 3/21/18 I was driving through a major intersection when the battery dash light came on in my truck. I found this to be odd since I had just had a brand-new battery installed on in my truck on 1/8/18. Then the following events occurred in rapid succession: all of the dash warning lights came on, the A/C which was on at the time and blowing very cold air, began blowing hot air, I attempted to roll down the electric powered windows and they would not work; the windshield wipers came on without prompting.
I quickly decided to turn around and go back home since I was a short distance away. I decided to take a route through a residential neighborhood since I was unsure what would happen next and thought it would be best not to be on a major roadway if anything further occurred. I made a left into the residential neighborhood and noticed my truck was moving very sluggish and making a weird noise. I was approaching a stop sign up ahead; however, before I could apply the brakes my truck just cut off.
I quickly put the gear in park and attempted to turn on my hazard light for oncoming traffic to go around me but I realized at this point my truck had absolutely no power. A gentleman on a bicycle stopped to assist me and we decided it would be best if he pushed my truck around the corner I was stalled at, to keep from obstructing oncoming traffic. He instructed me to put the truck in neutral but I was unable to do so, I could not turn the car on nor could I move it out of park gear.
The street I was stopped on is a major road for entering and exiting the neighborhood that I was attempting to pass through to get home. The street I was on is a major road for entering and exiting the neighborhood that I was attempting to pass through to get home. I stood at the back of my truck and directed traffic to go around me, I called AAA for a tow, when the driver arrived he attempted to jump the battery but it would not turn on or over. He had to slide under my truck to disconnect something in order to place the truck in neutral to get it on the tow truck.
I have not had any work or diagnostics performed on my truck as I am recently unemployed and do not have the funds to pay for the costs associated with either. However, I have conducted research online and discovered a multitude of reviews, blogs, news stories and feedback from others who experienced the same issues which appear to be associated with the TIPM’s (Totally Integrated Power Module known as a faulty manufacturers issue.
- Dawn L., Phoenix, AZ, US