2005 Grand Caravan Initial Poor Quality - Body Control Electronics Module Failure

My 2005 GC SXT has 1179 miles on it and just came back from its second
multi-day stay at the dealership. At 500 miles the instrument panel
went dead due to Body Control Module (BCM) failure. This included the
following:
a) instrument panel dead including no odometer changing with driving
b) headlights default on regardless of headlight switch position
c) no windshield wiper function
d) no A/C function
e) no power door functions

This condition remained constant until after the car was parked
overnight. In the morning all functions returned but the Engine
Service light was active. The dealer read out the OBD port multiple
communication failures. Chrysler instructed the dealer to replace the
BCM which took several days to arrive. I filed a safety complaint with
the NTSB for windshield wiper failure.

Two weeks later the condition repeated itself only the functions reset
themselves immediately resulting in Engine Service light activation
again. The Engine Service light remained active for several hours
(driving + non-driving) and then went out. The dealer read the OBD
port again showing the same failures. Chrysler instructed the dealer
to flash the BCM with TSB 08-028-05.

I'll see how long this last and whether it really fixes the problem.
Out of 3 new Chrysler vehicles I have purchased since 1997, this is the
second one with catastrophic problems. Chrysler Customer Service was
useless both times. The first vehicle was voluntarily replaced by the
dealer when the camshaft broke at 1000 miles and the engine seized. I
will never go through this hassle again. No more Chrysler products for
me.

mc
Minneapolis, MN

 

It could be a loose ground connection or some other stupid thing like that
that will take real diagnostics. But Chrysler as well as other
manufacturers have stopped paying dealers for diagnostic time so all they do
is change parts out.

 

You must be unlucky. My '05 T&C has just under 5k miles and we have had no
problems with it. Except for the very low city gas mileage, we are very happy
with the vehicle.

 

I second the suggestion! I would suggest getting an extended warranty
on this one.

Ted

 

My 04 T&C has had real problems also. The drivers windshield washer stopped
working. Then this winter it was hit by a truck and last month a car backed
into the front driver's fender. I think I should get a refund. [Really, it
has been close to perfect at 40,000 miles except for a slight transmission
hum with power on].

Richard.

 

Hola from México:
I just had the very same failure on our new Voyager 2005 *that’s how
Chrysler branded the Caravan here* the panel dead and then the
service light went on and then it went back to normal, Does anybody
have a Service bulletin number of that failure, so I can ask the
dealer for it?
Thank u in advance

 

An update...
After some research in the net I’ve found the failure and repair
procedure, here is the link
http://www.alldata.com/tsb/Chrysler/1117263600000_1118127600000_08-028-05/
the problem now will be to make our Mexican Chrysler dealer to
perform such repair since they had no idea of the failure or
notification from Daimler Chrysler Mexico... I will let you know how
it goes.
saludos