1991 Chrysler Imperial Engine Controller No Start Condition

  • Thread starter Thread starter William R. Messick
  • Start date Start date
W

William R. Messick

I guess I should start at the beginning; I was driving the car when the
engine shut down. When this happened, I checked the dash and the alarm
light was on (solid not flashing). Several attempts to start the car failed
and I had it towed. I have attempted to check the engine controller and I
cannot get it to got in diagnosis mode. I am using the prescribed method in
the factory service manual. I cannot get it to work at all (will not even
flash 55). As a last effort, I have disconnected the car battery and
allowed the vehicle to sit for a day with no results. I have also removed
the instrument cluster to check the bulb that light the "check engine"
light. The service manual describes a "no start" condition if the alarm
module is removed and the car is not running. I believe that this is the
case.

Is there any other method short of having the car towed to the dealer to
diagnosis/reset the engine controller?

Has any one else experience this problem.

I already have a obdII tool for my jeep, will an obdI reset the computer and
solve the "no start condition"?

Any and all help is GREATLY APPRECIATED!!!

Thanks

Bill Messick
 
William R. Messick said:
I guess I should start at the beginning; I was driving the car when the
engine shut down. When this happened, I checked the dash and the alarm
light was on (solid not flashing). Several attempts to start the car failed
and I had it towed. I have attempted to check the engine controller and I
cannot get it to got in diagnosis mode. I am using the prescribed method in
the factory service manual.
Click to expand...

Which is described as?
I cannot get it to work at all (will not even
flash 55). As a last effort, I have disconnected the car battery and
allowed the vehicle to sit for a day with no results. I have also removed
the instrument cluster to check the bulb that light the "check engine"
light.
Click to expand...

With he battery connected, the ignition switched on and he engine
not running, does the check engine light illuminate?
The service manual describes a "no start" condition if the alarm
module is removed and the car is not running. I believe that this is the
case.
Click to expand...

There is a known history of Chrysler SBECs suddenly deciding that
they are in anti-theft mode, so you may be correct but you should
still be able to pull trouble codes.
Is there any other method short of having the car towed to the dealer to
diagnosis/reset the engine controller?
Click to expand...

Depends on how you answer my second question (does the CE light
come on?).
Has any one else experience this problem.

I already have a obdII tool for my jeep, will an obdI reset the computer and
solve the "no start condition"?
Click to expand...

No. Your 91 system is definitely not OBD2.
 
Neil Nelson said:
Which is described as?
ON-OFF-ON-OFF-ON

With he battery connected, the ignition switched on and he engine
not running, does the check engine light illuminate?
Click to expand...

NO SIR
 
William R. Messick said:
NO SIR
Click to expand...

The fact that you have no check engine light at all suggests that
the computer isn't powering up , anti-theft mode is characterized
as a start then a stall within one or two seconds but it doesn't
usually effect the ability to extract codes or keep the CE light
from coming on when it should.

I'd be checking all battery, ignition and ground circuits to the
SBEC. You could also have a sensor shorting out and pulling the
system down, you can try disconnecting all the sensors and then
see if the CE light comes back with the key on engine not running.
 
Also, what scan tool would be the best to read the codes?[/QUOTE]

The DRB from that era would be the obvious choice since its use
would allow that the factory troubleshooting procedures be
followed exactly.
Their isn't anything about this system that would lead me to
believe that the Snap-On MT-2500 or an OTC 4000 couldn't also be
used, but...
I don't think a scan tool is going to get you very far other than
the realization that the scan tool can't communicate with the
data stream because the system isn't waking up as it should.
 
Neil Nelson said:
The fact that you have no check engine light at all suggests that
the computer isn't powering up , anti-theft mode is characterized
as a start then a stall within one or two seconds but it doesn't
usually effect the ability to extract codes or keep the CE light
from coming on when it should.

I'd be checking all battery, ignition and ground circuits to the
SBEC. You could also have a sensor shorting out and pulling the
system down, you can try disconnecting all the sensors and then
see if the CE light comes back with the key on engine not running.
Click to expand...


I will check that today, it makes sense that the sbec is not getting
power because of the CE light not working. By chance is there a
fuseable link or fuse that protects the module from shorting out?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest threads

Back
Top