2001 DGC, Battery light, flickering lights...
Thread Starter
|
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
2001 DGC, Battery light, flickering lights...
2001 DGC Sport, 3.3L. One night the battery light came on and the headlights started flickering along with the dash lights. I've been chasing this for a couple of weeks now and the the van is out of commission.
I've read hundreds of posts all over the web about the known IPM / FCM issues with the DGC. I've pulled the IPM, stripped it and found nothing. No corrosion, no hot spots. I'm around circuit boards every day and this one looks new. The FCM had a little white corrosion on the flat contacts and I've cleaned them, tweaked them slightly, even tinned them with a touch of solder to ensure a clean surface. Nothing helps. The battery is new, the alternator was replaced by the neighbor and previous owner last year and I'm nearing the end of my patience.
Here's the weirdest symptom, or possibly clue. With the AC on, fans on high, headlights on, everything is fine. The alternator appears to be charging (13.7V at the battery) at idle and no problems. Turn off the AC, both AC fans, the headlights, and immediately dash lights and interior lights begin flickering and the battery light comes on. It's like the voltage regulator can't handle a low-load situation.
Looking at the charging system schematic in my Haynes I see that the alternator field current is provided by the PCM, but the interior charging indicator, meter or light, is driven from the FCM. A little frustrated I pulled the FCM and started the van. The interior lights worked, the dash lights worked but they were all flickering as before. Then the battery light came on. So, did I effectively eliminate the FCM? I don't want to pay hundreds to find out. Could it be the PCM not regulating the alternator field current?
Very unimpressed with Dodge / Chrysler. This is my second Chrysler product in four years with mystery electrical problems. The other was a brand new Jeep Grand Cherokee that went through three shift control modules under warranty before I got rid of it.
Any help would be most appreciated. I am very grateful that I bought this thing for less than $1k. It has 150,000 miles, and looks great just sitting in my driveway.
Tempering my rant unsuccessfully,
Weekender
I've read hundreds of posts all over the web about the known IPM / FCM issues with the DGC. I've pulled the IPM, stripped it and found nothing. No corrosion, no hot spots. I'm around circuit boards every day and this one looks new. The FCM had a little white corrosion on the flat contacts and I've cleaned them, tweaked them slightly, even tinned them with a touch of solder to ensure a clean surface. Nothing helps. The battery is new, the alternator was replaced by the neighbor and previous owner last year and I'm nearing the end of my patience.
Here's the weirdest symptom, or possibly clue. With the AC on, fans on high, headlights on, everything is fine. The alternator appears to be charging (13.7V at the battery) at idle and no problems. Turn off the AC, both AC fans, the headlights, and immediately dash lights and interior lights begin flickering and the battery light comes on. It's like the voltage regulator can't handle a low-load situation.
Looking at the charging system schematic in my Haynes I see that the alternator field current is provided by the PCM, but the interior charging indicator, meter or light, is driven from the FCM. A little frustrated I pulled the FCM and started the van. The interior lights worked, the dash lights worked but they were all flickering as before. Then the battery light came on. So, did I effectively eliminate the FCM? I don't want to pay hundreds to find out. Could it be the PCM not regulating the alternator field current?
Very unimpressed with Dodge / Chrysler. This is my second Chrysler product in four years with mystery electrical problems. The other was a brand new Jeep Grand Cherokee that went through three shift control modules under warranty before I got rid of it.
Any help would be most appreciated. I am very grateful that I bought this thing for less than $1k. It has 150,000 miles, and looks great just sitting in my driveway.
Tempering my rant unsuccessfully,
Weekender
