2012 Chrysler Town & Country, TIPM Swap

[@danielolson437]

Hey Sparky. Thanks in advance for your response. I have a 2010 T&C 4.0 and having TIPM issues. Most concerning is the passenger headlight does not function except on high beam, which has been determined to be an issue with the TIPM. If I purchase another TIPM (new or rebuilt) does it have to be programmed for the vehicle and can the builder do that or does it need to be done by the dealer? The radio/camera head unit appears to have gone bad and the screen is blank, but I don't know if that is also part of the TIPM issue. I had to pull all head unit associated fuses because the battery was draining overnight. I'm leaning towards just getting the original repaired as I am adept mechanically and feel confident I can do the R/R. I anticipate this will not require reprogramming.

[@SparkysAnswers]

Having yours repaired should eliminate any programming issues. Be aware that most repairs are for the replacement of internal relays only and this would not fix your issue. According to Chrysler service information a new TIPM should configure to the vehicle you install it in. It has no information about used or repaired units. I know that my scan tool has the configure module function for many Chrysler vehicles but I do not know about yours specifically.

[@imjody]

2008 (same generation) Dodge Grand Caravan owner here... That stupid ass BLUE PLUGIN for the TIPM - the one you focused on mine busted a pin due to corrosion. Middle row, furthest-right. Looks like the one you showed here is also about to screw things up. I'm in the midst of trying to figure out how to sotter on a new long pin onto the TIPM for this stupid plug. If I could just bypass it and bring the wire somewhere else and extend it, I would be more than happy to, but I first need to figure out what this pin is used for, and where I would need to jump it to. My vehicle says anti-theft light flashing, a ton of other lights flashing, no crank no start. Parked it one day without issue, 4 days later, wouldn't start at all. Such a pain in my ass and now I'll be getting evicted due to insufficient funds to pay rent. Thanks, Dodge!

[@SparkysAnswers]

Fuse M28 (10 amp) feeds power to terminal #9 of the C2 connector. That is the terminal you described above. The wire color should be red. You can get an inline fuse holder and attach one end to the red wire and the other end to the hot terminal at fuse M 28. This should allow the engine to start and run. Assuming that is the only issue. I am making the assumption that your vehicle has the 3.3 liter gas engine. Please reply if different engine.

[@imjody]

​@@SparkysAnswers OMG I was able to get the pin sottered on and my van is actually starting up again with no issues!!!!!!!!! HOLY CRAP. WHY WOULD A PIN JUST SUDDENLY BREAK?!?!?!?! 😠All was good, parked my van for the day, and then next day it just wouldn't start. How does a pin break when the van is just sitting there?! SO STUPID, man. And also, these TIPMs are TRASH. Taking these things apart is NOT an easy or fun feat, lol.... Anyway, thank you VERY MUCH for getting back to me. I really appreciate that; especially on such an old video, and with such a long comment, so thank you for that. 😊

[@imjody]

@@SparkysAnswers PS. What you suggested above is EXACTLY what I was going to do if sottering the pin didn't work. (This was NOT easy, lol, since the pins have to remain super thin to fit into the plastic holes, but after a couple of hours, got it! But if it breaks again, then yeah, I'll just be doing exactly what you suggested, since that will be more of a permanent fix than this sotter fix; assuming that it'll just corrode and eventually break again! I am SOOOOO excited right now, lol. Never been this happy in my life. Can now go make money and pay rent late! ^_^

[@SparkysAnswers]

@@imjody Glad to hear you are back up and running. I truly hope your soldering repair works out. My assumption is that if you had the patience and skills to get the TIPM apart and back together again then you likely made a quality repair. However, I would still get an inline fuse holder, terminals and tools to keep in the glove box just in case.

[@qj5299]

I have a 2015 town and country van. It all of a sudden wouldn't start but no dadh lights are on. The horn is good, windows work and voltage is good on battery. It won't even turn over. Did some digging and found a video that said put thr vehicle into run mode, put vehicle in reverse and back to park. Turn key back to off and then tuen as normal to crank vehicle. I ttued this and my vehicle started but would cut off after about 5-10 seconds. I was at a lost and took it to the dealership and was told the Tipm was bad. I'm wondering if this could be a fuel pump relay as the vehicle did start like 3x's doing this procedure. Wondering what my next step would be to do as they want 1500 for a new Tipm. Smh.

[@SparkysAnswers]

A little confused by parts of your comment. No dash lights on would be a lack of power at least to the instrument cluster. The engine not turning over(starter not working) until the shifter is moved back and forth would indicate that park was not fully engaged or there may be a problem with the safety neutral switch. However then you stated the engine would shut off after a few seconds which would suggest an anti theft issue. Confused at how you took it to dealership, towed or drove? Only thing I can say for sure is that a faulty fuel pump relay inside the TIPM cannot cause a starter issue. The TIPM can cause other issues that lead to a no run condition.

[@nicfisher3230]

I am curious about how this worked out. Currently having a similar issue.

[@SparkysAnswers]

As of right now, they have decided to trade out of the vehicle. But you never know. I have seen many people over the years that get sticker shock when they go to trade out. Makes the cost of repairing seem more reasonable. Anyways if if comes back in I will do a follow up on it.

[@ohbrother1967]

What happened for you?

[@L_S73]

There is a fuel pump relay in the tpim. And can be replaced ( unsoldered and resolder new on in ) cheep fix like 10$ for the relay

[@SparkysAnswers]

Maybe I did not explain it clearly enough. The first TIPM in the video was a repaired unit that had been warrantied out for the customer. While it was being repaired under warranty the customer bought a second TIPM so they could still use the van. Two years later the van was having "electrical issues" again and the customer was convinced that the warrantied TIPM that they had stored for so long would be the solution. My diagnosis was that the problem was at the instrument cluster or the connection going to it. They insisted that I "try" their warrantied TIPM. I did and this is where the video picks up. The warrantied TIPM has a bad fuel pump relay plus several other issues mentioned in the video. If it would have only had the fuel pump relay concern I would have soldered in a new one. I have done many of them and keep them in stock. The TIPM that the vehicle drove in with is the second one in the video and it does not have any problems that I could find. No codes in it or about it in other modules. I believe the complaint was a no crank condition and the IPC was inoperative.

[@aprilletsinger3353]

Your fingers dude... 😔

[@SparkysAnswers]

I know. I am trying to do better. Big hands and small cameras. Getting better with time. Thanks for commenting.

[@sanchezvh]

Hi sparky. I did intall a bypass cable. It s does have power now but my van doesn't start. You think i need to bypass the relay. Thank u

[@SparkysAnswers]

Correctly installing the bypass cable does bypass the fuel pump relay. You may have a faulty fuel pump or other issue. More diagnosis will be needed.

[@sanchezvh]

@@SparkysAnswers thank u. Do you have a video on how to test the fuel pump with removing it? Thank u

[@SparkysAnswers]

@@sanchezvh Sorry , I do not.

[@jeffl1499]

What’s it take to remove the fuse box

[@SparkysAnswers]

A 13mm socket and ratchet or a wrench to remove the cable nut. Strong finger tips or a screwdriver to release the locks and levers that hold the box in place and hold the connectors to the box. Takes between five and fifteen minutes depending on how everything cooperates.

[@jeffl1499]

@@SparkysAnswers thank you. We had it happen twice the car acts like it’s possessed. The entire dash flickers and the engine dies. I hope this will fix it.

[@SparkysAnswers]

@@jeffl1499 Replacing it may help but that is not the typical problem associated with a faulty TIPM. At least in my experience. Before doing anything I would have the vehicle checked for codes. I prefer a full vehicle scan but at minimum the engine computer. After checking and recording the codes, I would clear the codes. The next step would be to check and clean the battery posts. I know it sounds cliché but it is important and inexpensive. Chrysler vehicles are prone to developing a hard black crust on the positive terminal and that causes all sorts of strange issues.

[@ohbrother1967]

What brand was this?

[@SparkysAnswers]

The repaired TIPM that did not work at all was supplied by Flagship One.

[@MR.IBN45]

Im lost....

[@SparkysAnswers]

Sorry to hear that. Basically the customer had a problem with the TIPM a few years back and bought a rebuilt one. It did not work so they sent it back for warranty repair but wound up buying a second one while they were waiting for the first warranty repair. They kept the warranty repaired TIPM as a spare in case the replacement ever failed. A few years later they wound up with a new problem that they were sure was inside the TIPM so they insisted that I try installing it to see if it would take care of the current issues. It would not turn the fuel pump on and had multiple other issues. I explain it all at about the 4:18 mark.