Chrysler 300C & SRT8 Forums banner

My sis needs some help - limp mode and trouble codes...

22K views 6 replies 4 participants last post by  thefastcanadian 
#1 ·
I don't have time now, but I'll dig into this later. Wanted to throw this up now in case somebody can give me some opinions in the meantime.

My sis has a 2006 Chrysler Pacifica with the 3.5L and she thinks it's an automatic 4-speed. Apparently she was driving today on the highway today and then all of the sudden her car "lunged and clunked" and RPM's went up to 6000, it then went into limp mode. (I think the "lunge" and 6000 RPM was likely her foot on the throttle when it went into limp) She pulled over, restarted and was good to go for a bit. Then limp mode again. Restart and she is temporarily good. She said she can drive slow but RPM's jump when she gets in the throttle like it doesn't want to switch gears. Had her pull the codes and here is what she has...

P0522 Oil Pressure Sensor Low
P0456 EVAP System Small Leak
P0457 EVAP System Leak (Fuel Cap Loose/Off)
P0700 Transmission Controller Fault
P0882 TCM Power Input Low

I think it's the last two that are likely the issue. Any thoughts? Thanks for any help. :fing02:
 
See less See more
#2 ·
First, have her check that gas cap. If she had just fueled up (and did the top off thing) her cannister is loaded up with fuel.

Oil pressure sensor low is secondary to the engine "hiccup".

P0882 TCM power input low:

Possible causes
- Transmission Control Module (TCM) harness is open or shorted
- Transmission Control Module (TCM) circuit poor electrical connection
- Low battery power
- Faulty Transmission Control Module (TCM)

Tech notes
sometimes this code is triggered when the battery charge gets too low or is replaced. Cleared the code and drive the vehicle. If the code comes back and there are no other symptoms, you may have to replaced the Transmission Control Module (TCM).


What I would do is:

1. Ask her if she had just fueled up the car.
2. If so, did she "top off" the tank. If so, some time will be needed to let the fuel evaporate from the evap cannister or it can be replaced. If not, it's probably the cap.
3. Have her check the gas cap to make sure it's tight.
4. Tell her to load test her battery.
 
#3 ·
Thanks my man. It appears your possible TCM causes are spot on. I've been doing some research and found some things - not a lot out there for Pacificas!

Not too worried about the EVAP stuff. She didn't just recently refuel and she told me she's had a fuel cap warning for nearly 2 years... wtf?!?! Why do people just let things ride. SMH. She obviously has an EVAP leak somewhere. That's for another day.

Seems her current issue is certainly with the TCM. And sure enough, there is a TON of info on the net in regards to TCM problems on Pacificas from this time frame - including a Chrysler recall. Although there is a lot of info, it's mostly problem related and rarely solution related. Sigh.

But I have found that it's likely one of a few things causing the voltage drop to the TCM - bad battery as mentioned, a corroded/frayed/shorted TCM wire or connection - either the ground wire or the power running to the PCM/battery, or simply a TCM going bad.

So, first stop is to do a full check on the battery. Supposedly it's only a year old - but that doesn't mean it can't be bad from my experience. Last step will be replacing the TCM. But before then, it sounds like it's very common to have some bad wiring... problem is I can't find any info on where the TCM is or any wiring schematics. I could probably figure it out if I was there in person, but I'm trying to walk my bro-in-law through this via phone from 100 miles away. Doubt there are any Pacifica experts here, but any idea how I can locate the TCM and it's wiring harness??
 
#4 ·
Yesterday same thing happened. Just driving and gears got stuck in a high gear. Stopped and restarted, and it went away for 5 minutes, again stopped and restarted, and again cleared problem. Got to Le Shuttle and went on train, got to Calias in France, went to pull off train and was in limp mode from engine start. I checked battery two weeks ago and replaced for a Bosch battery. Battery test said alternator charge was 14.6v even under load, fullbeam and blowers on.

The other morning the battery light came on again after new battery???

What made me get battery tested was the fact the glowplugs struggle to start car in morning, but not when engine has been on. Also the battery light has been coming on. Also this intermittent gearbox jam has been surfacing really infrequently over last few months.

Going to take car to a friend who has the code reader, and he says gearbox limp mode is linked to charging system, so it all makes sense.

I will get codes this afternoon and post them up.
 
#5 ·
So it's a CRuD.
Check for fuel leaking onto the alternator.
 
#6 ·
Been on two code readers yesterday. First one gave 4:

P2784 - Input/Turbine speed sensor a/b correlation.

P1408 - Manufacturer Specific - (Internet says DPF)

P0740 - Torque Converter Clutch Solenoid curcuit open.

P0730 - Incorrect gear ration.

Second code read (bit more advanced said same + EGR valve, Glowplugs failed, Alternator not working properly, and ash in DPF.

Well my car has not DPF and it was deleted on remap. EGR I knew about and have been meaning to blank it off. Glowplugs have been a pain since winter, just haven't got around to changing. Had a new battery because light kept coming on. When first started.

Have noticed the headlights suddenly flick off and back on in split second occasionally which points to alternator.

Gonna bit bullet and go to Chrysler and see if they technician says yeah Alternator spike causing drop in electricity causing TCM to fail.

Can get new alternator for £180 on a trade account from relative.
 
#7 ·
Been to a Chrysler specialist - who cleared codes down and wiped the ecu and gearbox control memory.

Long story short, it is back working again! I have to wait until the fault returns and then he'll rescan for codes and work out what is happening.

No fuel leaks over alternator, but he thinks alternator is dicking about.

Really disappointed in Chrysler main dealer, saying they couldn't scan for codes until 14th July, which is really poor service and expect me to. Be without a car for 10 days?

I am confident it's an alternator tbh. Need to replace glowplugs and EGR valve to get eml off now
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top