2008 Town And Country FOBIK Issues

[mwilson]

Well, the 2008 Chrysler left the driveway on a rollback. It will not start as it no longer recognizes either FOBIK and thinks that it is being stolen.



Being stolen is the least of it's worries as burning it right in it's tracks is a more logical scenario... .



I have to go to the dealer today to guide this fiasco, no insult to the dealer intended. They are good people.





They hooked it up and confirmed that it is not recognizing either FOBIK. Can't do any more until I buy a $200. 00 FOBIK and then they can see if it will communicate with the new one. If not, then the module will have to be replaced.



My worry is this, will the new module be an updated unit and then in turn require 2 more FOBIK's because the frequency is different??? I can see this happening so I am going to make them run the number for the replacement module to check for a supercedure.



This van has been a nightmare, I can't believe the repairs so far.



Will keep you posted... ...



Mike.

 

[jhenderson]

You have a great knowledge of dealer ops. You also understand vehicle repair and maint. Ever wonder how Joe Sixpack and thie Misses survive? It's no wonder the MFGS. sell new vehicles every day. The average man or woman can't afford repairs, not to mention the occasional shady dealer or tech.

 

[mwilson]

You have a great knowledge of dealer ops. You also understand vehicle repair and maint. Ever wonder how Joe Sixpack and thie Misses survive? It's no wonder the MFGS. sell new vehicles every day. The average man or woman can't afford repairs, not to mention the occasional shady dealer or tech.

I agree, how the average person survives it is beyond me.



I called the service writer and explained what I wanted them to do.

They had not thought of it and got on board with what I am telling them regarding the potential of an updated module. They have the parts department checking it out.



I have spent more time working on that van to keep brakes and wheel bearings working in 45,000 miles than I have on the '06 in 135,000 miles. My wife is not hard on vehicles, I know that because she can run junk a long ways just like I can. An internet search using the terms "2008 Chrysler T&C brake, wheel bearing and FOBIK issues" will return results that will keep one reading for days so it is not something that she is doing wrong for sure.....



I wonder if MY2008 Chryslers were produced under the last of the Daimler build 'em as cheap as possible scenario... it's a shame because the design of the van is second to none.



Mike.

 

[Bill Stockard]

.



This van has been a nightmare, I can't believe the repairs so far.







Mike.

Reading numerous comments like yours is what keeps us from considering a Chrysler T&C for a replacement for our Honda Odyssey. In nearly 40k miles we haven't spent one dime on it other than regular maintenance and the related replacement parts. We like everything about the Honda Ody except for the excessive and irritating road noise that's transmitted to the cabin when driving on chip sealed roads and there are thousands of miles of them in Texas.



We've test driven a Toyota Sienna and it has almost as much road noise inside it. We prefer a minivan over a small SUV because of the handy sliding doors and the easy entry and exit.



Bill

 

[mwilson]

Reading numerous comments like yours is what keeps us from considering a Chrysler T&C for a replacement for our Honda Odyssey. In nearly 40k miles we haven't spent one dime on it other than regular maintenance and the related replacement parts. We like everything about the Honda Ody except for the excessive and irritating road noise that's transmitted to the cabin when driving on chip sealed roads and there are thousands of miles of them in Texas.



We've test driven a Toyota Sienna and it has almost as much road noise inside it. We prefer a minivan over a small SUV because of the handy sliding doors and the easy entry and exit.



Bill

I hate to abandon the Mopar mini-vans, there has been one, sometimes two in our ownership since 1990. But I can't keep this up, I simply don't have the time, money or patience for it.



It is her work van, she prefers the double sliding doors and hatchback. I have tried at least 50 times to talk her into a Chevy Express 2500 with more room and a bullet proof 4. 8L with the equally tough 4L80E transmission. We have one at work with 250,000 ABUSIVE miles on it and it still runs like a swiss watch. We had another one that went over 300,000 miles before we sold it. It had a skip and was sold for $800. 00 bucks. The employee that bought it changed the bad coil pack and it is still on the road AFIK.



She also prefers front wheel drive so we may wind up with a Ford Transit Connect as bad as I hate the thoughts of it being in my driveway. BUT if the damn thing will start and go everyday, plus not nickle and dime us to death I guess that will be OK.

 

[mwilson]

Oh, before I forget... this debacle has the potential of costing close to $1,000. 00 or even more... ... and no guarantee that it will be fixed at that point.



I am livid... .



Mike.

 

[mwilson]

It gets better... ...



One of the owners of the dealership (in between everything else the poor guy had going on) worked on my van most of the afternoon. We tried other keys (after a huddle, he and I decided any 2008 FOBIK key could be accepted by the WIN module) but to no avail. There are no codes, the engine is being told to run. It just does not engage the starter.

We settled on a bad WIN module (what used to be called a key switch), went to order one. Big message pops up, "CALL STAR"..... Called and found out that WIN modules are on national back-order. Chrysler is -97 on them right now. Had to answer the 20 question quiz at STAR before we could be placed on the back order list.

Lead time is 1-6 weeks.



Wow.....



But I want to stress that this is no bad reflection on my dealer, they tried everything and I won't be charged for a lot of it. I am lucky to have them in my corner. Both owners, the service manager and service writer kept apologizing for the lack of a replacement WIN module.



I told them that they had no control over that and I go through the same thing at my dealership everyday.



Mike.

 

[mwilson]

For those that are wondering, this is a FOBIK.

 

[Bill Stockard]

It gets better... ...





Wow.....



But I want to stress that this is no bad reflection on my dealer, they tried everything and I won't be charged for a lot of it. I am lucky to have them in my corner. Both owners, the service manager and service writer kept apologizing for the lack of a replacement WIN module.



I told them that they had no control over that and I go through the same thing at my dealership everyday.



Mike.

Your last sentence is one of several reasons I chose to retire early. Guess who the customer called when this occurred on his $100K+ truck that was sidelined?



Bill

 

[mwilson]

Your last sentence is one of several reasons I chose to retire early. Guess who the customer called when this occurred on his $100K+ truck that was sidelined?



Bill

It seems like the last few years I have to say "I'm Sorry" to a customer at least 10 times a day... ...



Coming up with solutions every day does keep a fella' sharp though... .



Mike

 

[mwilson]

Bill,



They gave me a 2009 Town and Country Limited to run around with, what a machine. No road noise in that bad boy. When you close the doors it sounds totally different than the 2008 LX. They must really add a lot of sound-proofing to the Limited. I wish that I had those seats in my Mega Cab. I believe that you could drive it a thousand miles and get out of it feeling as good as you did when you got in.



The wife has taken a liking to it, this could get bad. Every trinket in the option book is on that van.



Mike.

 

[Bob4x4]

That's the reason they give out loaners..... a great sales tool

 

[rscurtis]

Stories like this make me appreciate my old Mercedes more and more- it doesn't even need electricity to run.

 

[Jim W]

Bill,

They gave me a 2009 Town and Country Limited to run around with, what a machine. No road noise in that bad boy. When you close the doors it sounds totally different than the 2008 LX. They must really add a lot of sound-proofing to the Limited. I wish that I had those seats in my Mega Cab. I believe that you could drive it a thousand miles and get out of it feeling as good as you did when you got in.

The wife has taken a liking to it, this could get bad. Every trinket in the option book is on that van.

Mike.

Mike; they got you once the DW likes something it is good as sold.

Jim W.

 

[Bill Stockard]

Bill,



They gave me a 2009 Town and Country Limited to run around with, what a machine. No road noise in that bad boy. When you close the doors it sounds totally different than the 2008 LX. They must really add a lot of sound-proofing to the Limited. I wish that I had those seats in my Mega Cab. I believe that you could drive it a thousand miles and get out of it feeling as good as you did when you got in.



The wife has taken a liking to it, this could get bad. Every trinket in the option book is on that van.



Mike.

They ain't dumb :-laf... that's good salesmanship!



I like your quiet comments. I only wish Chrysler would get their reliability issues solved.



The seats in that van must be like the seats in my wife's Honda. I too could drive it all day and still be able t walk when I get out.



Bill

 

[crispyboy]

Since your DW likes the van you might as well just trade your old one in. Maybe you can work out some kind of deal not to pay for any of the service on the old one if you buy the loaner... ...

 

[Wayne M.]

I wonder if MY2008 Chryslers were produced under the last of the Daimler build 'em as cheap as possible scenario... it's a shame because the design of the van is second to none.



Mike, you're onto something there. I think that van is from Chryslers' darkest hour. And I seem to remember all kinds of vendors getting the shaft thanks to DCX's exit. Now you're paying for it. Do you think Fiat wants to deal with this?

 

[mwilson]

It lives!!!!!

Just a quick note, will add to this later.



New WIN module was located at another dealer, replaced yesterday morning. Still nothing.



Contacted STAR and they said that both keys must be bad. I had a hard time believing that but bought two new FOBIKs (Ka-Ching) in Bangor as my dealer did not have any and brought them home with me. Dropped them in the key slot at my dealer so that they would have them for first thing this morning.



Van accepted and started using the first new FOBIK, and started using the second new FOBIK as well.



Then I said "Did you try the old FOBIKs???"... . Guess what, both old FOBIKs were accepted by the new WIN and work now. WTH!!!



More later.



Mike.

 

[JR]

Makes you REALLY appreciate a good ol fashioned key... .

 

[brods]

Just a quick note, will add to this later.

New WIN module was located at another dealer, replaced yesterday morning. Still nothing.

Contacted STAR and they said that both keys must be bad. I had a hard time believing that but bought two new FOBIKs (Ka-Ching) in Bangor as my dealer did not have any and brought them home with me. Dropped them in the key slot at my dealer so that they would have them for first thing this morning.

Van accepted and started using the first new FOBIK, and started using the second new FOBIK as well.

Then I said "Did you try the old FOBIKs???"... . Guess what, both old FOBIKs were accepted by the new WIN and work now. WTH!!!

More later.

Mike.

Any update on the root cause? Was there any warning before it quit?

We have a 2008 dodge Caravan which has had quite the list of recalls and repairs in 80K miles. Not looking forward to a no start FOBIK issue.