We purchased our 1996 T/C LXI at 73k. Vehicle was reasonably priced and clean. But only a few thousand miles later, look out, the troubles began. The starter went first, and then 1 month later, another starter, a $500 climate control panel, a $1500 transmission, strut replacements, brake replacements, all within 1 year. We'll maybe I've got all the problems worked out. Wrong! The engine started overheating, and after several trips to the shop the problem was fixed. Well I have so much in the vehicle now that I have yo keep it. Maybe not drive it, but at least have it to look at or something. It is a very comfortable vehicle, and very user friendly in its own way. Whatever you do keep it serviced. The wife loves it, but no more Dodge products for me.
Just out of interest, do any of the reviewers with serial automatic transmission problems realise that automatic transmission fluid needs to be changed every 24,000 miles / 2 years?
I have a 1997 Town & Country all wheel drive van, and the problem I'm having is that it is trembling when it downshifts. It never does this as I'm driving at a constant speed.
I've looked at some of the problems that others are having with their vehicle, and I can relate to some of the problems that they are complaining about.
I am a mechanic myself, but I don't do a lot of transmission troubleshooting, but I do a lot of replace and repair work on an array of vehicles, so I'm not totally lost in this line of work. I've done some research on the problem that I'm having, and have not been able to find a solution to the problem that I'm having. Anyone with any suggestions?
I have a '97 Chrysler t&c lxi. I have had it in and out of the shop over the past 4 months because of the serpentine belt coming off. The auto shop can't seem to give me a concrete answer on why this continues to happen. I am so frustrated with this, and I need my transportation! Other than this problem, I love my car! Do you have any advice?
I have a knocking under my T&C LXI van and it's a 1997 and I don't know what it is. I'm worried it's going to cost me an arm and a leg to fix, but other than that the only problem I've had was the serpentine belt coming off. I love this vehicle, but you guys have me very worried!
I just bought a 1997 T&C for only $900 at 130,000. Your comments are very helpful. At least I will know what may be coming down the road.
I have 1997 Chrysler T&C. I bought it at 135.000 miles.
Then after I started having several problems. To be short, the speakers makes interruptions while sounding. Not all speakers work best at the same time. Some of them are not working even.
Radiator problem is that it evaporates the water just in a day. Which means I have to supply water every single day.
I am now coming to the most important one; starting from 155K miles upto today (180K miles) it started to practice stalls while driving, which is very dangerous.
First times it was coming once a week. It started to happen more and more over time. And today it stalls almost 5, or some times 10 times while driving in a day.
Also its new sickness is that there is no power or light in the control panel when I come to my garage to take off after having parked it the previous night.. sometimes it goes and comes back. But this morning the control panel never wants to light up. And in this case it never makes an ignition. It ignites the first ones but then stops going on. I think it is just a headache. It serves me lot with its volume. I think the same : great design, poor manufacturing. I would appreciate any advice and recommendations.
Well first, you do realize that at 11 years old and 135,000 miles, you weren't getting a brand new car, right? And you have managed to put 45,000 miles on it. It would seem that the quality of manufacturing must be pretty good.
So, for the stalling problem, try checking the camshaft position sensor. Also check the routine maintenance like have the spark plugs ever been changed, or the spark plug wires.
I hope you aren't simply pouring water into the radiator all the time. Are you adding actual engine coolant? Does the van run hot? It could be that adding water is not sufficient to keep the engine cool, and the steam is venting out. Unfortunately, by adding just water, you may have corroded your cooling system and clogged it up. Disappearing engine coolant is commonly a sign of a leaking head gasket, in which case the engine might run choppy or the crankcase would be filled with brown or green sludge. Check on that next time you change the oil.
It sounds like this van has done a pretty good job, but you need to take care of it a little bit.
I have a 1998 T&C LXi 3.8L. It's fully loaded with the infinity acustic 10 sound system, leather seats, power everything, am/fm/cd/cas...
The only problems I have had out of it is the tranny went out at 145000, cause of a bad battery caused the transmission solenoid pack to lock it up in park while the van was moving... & the lights on the dash for the rear windshield wipers & the A/C keep flashing till you drive it a while, but when you shut it off they start flashing again...
The metal lines that run from the water pump to the rear heater rotted & busted, & the drivers side heated seat quit working..
It has 152000 on it now, & I drive the wheels off of it... like I always say, "drive it like you stole it".
There is good & bad in all cars. Chrysler seems to have more bad than good..
I just got a clock spring recall in the mail for my 1997 Town and Country AWD.
I had problems for the longest time with the windscreen wipers and cruise control. Biggest problem this past year the neck to the gas tank rotted out, $350.00 just for the part, this never happened to any of my other vehicles.
I have a 97 T&C and my brakes lock up so badly they catch fire sometimes! I have to pull over on the side of the highway or whereever I maybe with 3 small children and release them from the master cylinder. We have change everything other than the break lines three times, and the problem just will not go away; it's a huge hassle as well as very dangerous!
If anyone knows how to help me, please email me the solution, I would greatly appreciate it.
alicia_tambourine@yahoo.com
Thank you.
My 1996 Town & County Lxi has 210k miles. Car is reliable with just some minor fixes. Turn signal switch, fan relay (recall), clock spring (recall) and window regulators. Auto Tranny is still running strong. We bought this car in 1999 with 60k. The first thing we did was add a transmission cooler and use a synthetic trans fluid. Not one problem with the tranny. Bottom line: If you maintain this vehicle it WILL run forever. We're happy with this car and will probably drive it till it dies!
I guess I disagree with you. Our T&C (97 LXi) has been well maintained (at least since I have owned it), and I have had failures galore. There is not an original part of the AC on the car now. Lost the first tranny at 96K and the second one at 160K. Window motors have both failed. Power Brake booster is dead. I guess I should be happy to get to 160K, but the TCO has been very high. No more Chryslers for me.
I currently have a 1997 T&C lxi with 295000km on it. It had the transmission replaced at 190000km, but other than that it has worked great. The only thing that has failed on the interior is the door settings for the seat but that isn't important to me. Overall it has been a very reliable van. Gonna drive it until it dies I guess.
I own a 97 Chrysler Town and Country, bought it used in 2002 with 52000 miles on it. Sort of well maintained, we have had no problems with the car. I put carbon brakes and new rotors on it once, and it stops great. Cooling fan switch failed, but at 9 years old,no big deal, I just bought my second T&C now, and the old one is up to 110000 miles and going strong. And we run it hard.