2008 Town And Country FOBIK Issues

[Wingate]

hhmmm so is this something they are still using on the 2013-2014 Rams?

 

[mwilson]

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.

Only have my experience and one other so far with a failing WIN but the common symptom of impending diaster is a no start. No click, no starter engagement, nothing. Then after a few more attempts the starter engages and off you go. In our case it was one no start in July, another the day before the WIN completely died.

Still asking questions regarding this type of failure.



Mike.

 

[mwilson]

The SOB has done it again....

Went to start it for the wife yesterday morning ( 1 degree above zero) and the same crap as before. No start, no starter engagement, nothing.

If there had been a strike anywhere match in my hand it would have gone up in flames, I kid you not.

Waiting for my poor, overworked dealer to get it sucked back up on the rollback and get it to the shop again. They are swamped with cold weather issues and the rollback is on the road constantly right now.

They hope to fetch it tomorrow and get the same tech back on it Monday to see what has happened this time.

I assume that I got a junk WIN module.

Mike.

 

[JR]

Wow sorry to hear that Mike. At least you have 2 stone cold reliable vehicles to fall back on in times like this. Will that module be under warranty?

 

[mwilson]

If it works like my OEM then it will be covered if the WIN module has failed. Towing will not be covered.

If it is another issue than it will be on me.

Where STAR was only releasing them as needed that indicates that there is indeed an issue, there was also a core charge on the module that was obtained from another dealer for me.

That could mean that..

(1) The selling dealer had an old, non-current module in stock that was sold to my dealer

(2) The reman WIN modules are no good or have a high failure rate, possibly vendor issues........

If it is the WIN module again I am going to push for a new one. This has shattered my faith in both the '08 Van and the WIN / FOBIK system in general.

I will not buy another vehicle with that system if it can't be proven to me that the issue has been identified and solved.

Mike.

 

[The patriot]

This sounds like my Niece's van. IIRC it's an 08, she went to replace the battery and it wont do ANYTHING!
It acts like it doesnt recognize the key.

 

[JR]

I wish you luck Mike. These kind of problems are what has always scared me about buying vehicles with modern technology. Luckily our Mountaineer still has the old skool key but there are a TON of systems on that car that could leave the wife stranded and helpless (and at the mercy of the dealer) if they start going bonkers.

 

[mwilson]

This sounds like my Niece's van. IIRC it's an 08, she went to replace the battery and it wont do ANYTHING!
It acts like it doesnt recognize the key.

If the idiots lights come on, the headlights are bright, etc. but nothing happens when you turn it to start it may well be the same issue. Acts the same as a bad neutral safety switch.

Mike.

 

[JR]

This sounds like my Niece's van. IIRC it's an 08, she went to replace the battery and it wont do ANYTHING!
It acts like it doesnt recognize the key.

On some vehicles there is a security code that you have to have to reset the security system after a battery has been disconnected. It should be in her manual if it has such a thing. Our VW has a security code you have to punch into the radio. I have yet to have to do this so I'm not sure if it is a whole vehicle anti theft system or just for the radio....

 

[mwilson]

Was the van not starting, she replaced the battery and it still would not start OR did it start fine right up until the battery change???

I suspect the first scenario.....

Mike.

 

[brods]

Mike, hope they get it figured out and fixed for good this time.

An auto repair trade mag recently had an article about a BMW with a no start condition, no response to the key. The normal things were checked, battery, starter cables, etc and nothing could be found wrong. A hot shot freelance troubleshooter was called in and found that the HVAC module was shorting the communication bus to ground. This was the same bus that the key switch, as well as many other “modules”, needed to communicate over. So what appeared to be a starting/key issue was really a bad HVAC module. Just shows how complicated and potentially frustrating it will be to service the newer vehicles.

 

[The patriot]

IIRC she replaced the batt because it wouldnt start.
BTW it's not an 08, it's an 07.