Purchased a 98 Grand Caravan 2 days ago. When I looked at it the doors were locking themselves about every 30 seconds. The owner said he had it diagnosed as a body computer by one of our local mechanics.

Initial inspection revealed that both from door lock solenoids are not working, lock or unlock. Gauges and cluster seem to be working fine. If the doors are shut and enough time is given to let the doors lock (they won't auto lock with a door open) then a door is opened the horn starts honking.

Since I have a friend who owns a wrecking yard, and another who works at Dodge, here's what I did... The friend at Dodge said if I find a BCM that matches my van and has security it'll work. If I find a BCM that matches my van but DOESN'T have security then I can instal the security feature.

Forward to this afternoon... I found a 98 in the wrecking yard with similar options but no security system. I called Dodge who ran the part numbers and said the new (to me) computer was a match for my old on and was actually an updated unit. So I installed it.

Now, as per my mechanic friend at Dodge, I proceeded to install the security system by doing the following. Connected battery - turned key on and let gauges and lights cycle - removed key, shut door and let lights go out - inserted key into rear deck lid lock and unlocked deck lid and interior light came on.

Now the doors locking themselves is gone but the van starts and dies right away. Like a dummy I repeated it several times out of frustration and now the starter won't engage at all. I'm guessing the security system has activated.

Now what? Could the front door lock solenoids have anything to do with this?
I am at a loss and any help would be GREATLY appreciated.

 

The PCM is looking for the VTSS code from a VTSS programmed BCM. You installed a non VTSS BCM. The PCM, not seeing the code engaged the engine immobilizer and killed the engine after it started. After the third attempt it disabled the start circuit. The system is working as designed.

Not sure how you get out of this other then to tap the guy who got you there and have him fix it. That would be your Dodge buddy. Maybe you missed a step in his programming sequence which I've never heard of but then I'm not a Dodge tech. Have you tried reinstalling the original BCM? Not sure of the truth of this but I recall reading some threads years ago that if you do what you did you can damage the PCM. Maybe that's what happened.

Lock solenoids? I'm no VTSS guru but I would think if you try to lock the van with the RKE and the front doors aren't locked then the VTSS won't arm.

 

Thanks for the info. I suppose I'll reinstall the original BCM tomorrow and see what happens.

Bad end to an exceptionally bad day.

 

I have no way of reaching my Dodge connection until next week.

I installed the original BCM and everything operates as it did before the BCM swap. I have found online that BCMs without security will, or can be taught to accept the security feature if not originally programmed with it but once installed it cannot be removed. I just haven't been able to get many details. Are there any Dodge electronic techs on the forum?

There must be a way to reset the security feature.

Is there a way to bypass it?

Thank you.

 

Dodge electronic techs? RickMN, Master Tech, and Tizzy1 for a few. I'm sure there are others. If they don't jump in here you can send them a private message and hopefully get some good news.

 

Thanks, again, Cougar41.

Surely this isn't a new issue. This problem is posted all over the net but there just doesn't seem to be any answers.

 

Just an FYI for anyone with a 98 generation Caravan looking to swap BCM's.
After a lot of research about programming BCM's with/without the security feature here's what I discovered.

If you have a van without the security feature then you MUST replace your BCM with a BCM "without" theft installed.

If you are looking to replace your BCM and your van IS equipped with security then you can replace it with a BCM with or without security. If you find one without, here's how to program it yourself. Simply reconnect the battery after installing the BCM, open the hood and, using your key, unlock the liftgate. The interior lights should illuminate and your BCM is now programmed with the security feature.

I successfully installed a used, non-security BCM and programmed it, saving myself from what seemed an impossible task of finding a BCM already loaded with VTSS.