I have a older car 1997 chrysler lhs, I notice there is a recall for this model ..will they honor this?

Question 1
I have a older car 1997 chrysler lhs, I notice there is a recall for this model ..will they honor this?...  

Answers
1)   They should, but you never know with this economy. - jason

2)   If you bought the car used, no. - Ironball

3)   Yes, as long as it's still an open recall on your vehicle. Recalls are valid for the life of the vehicle, so it will be covered (unless the vehicle has been reported as a total loss, salvage, flood, or otherwise supposed to have been removed from the highways).

Open recall means that it's still a valid recall that has not yet been performed on your vehicle.

Doesn't matter if you're the first owner, or the thousandth owner, recall will apply to the vehicle no matter how many have owned the car. - Mark B

4)   Yes, the recall will be honored. Just call your local dealer, give them the VIN of your car (17 digit vehicle i.d. number) and the number of the recall (it should be on the notice) and they can order the recall part if it is not in stock. Good luck. While you are there, they can check for other open recalls. - C-Tech

5)   Yes as long as its not a "timed recall" - rick b

6)   They have to if it is a safety recall! - Jackolantern

7)   Do not, however, confuse a recall, which the manufacturer pays for, with a Technical Service Bulletin. If you're out of warranty, any TSB work will cost you the regular rates. - Windowphobe

8)   All you have to do is give a chrysler dealership your vin number and they can run it and tell you if you really do have an open recall. IF you do then the recall will be honored - papabear


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Question 2
my horn stopped working. Is it a fuse? i have a Plymouth Breeze 2000. What's the general cost of fuses for?...  horns/ thanks.

Answers
1)   fuses are very cheap.. - NightSoloist

2)   there may b as specific fuse for the horn and it's about 10 cents... but since there are no service stations anymore, you will have to buy a set of fuses for about $1.45 - ez80227

3)   Go to any parts store and have them check your fuses for you. Not uncommon for the horn itself to fail. - speednutt

4)   In answering your question, What's the general cost of fuses for?
This would be for the company who sold you the fuse to make a profit. Capitalism, economics, whatever you want to call it.


As for the problem with your horn yes it could be a fuse but before you purchase one check for B+ voltage at the horn it self, If there is power ther then your fuse is ok. At that point the horn itself may have gone bad. On many horns there is a tuning screw which you may turn to adjust the horn's pitch. Turn it a quarter left and try the horn. If it still doesnt work turn it 50% right and depress your horn switch again. If everthing checks out fine at the horn itself then you would want to check the horn switch. This is usally located on the steering wheel itself, Once again check your B+ voltage. You will have to noit have depress the the switch at the horn. At the switch itself B+ would measure across the contacts themselfs.

Hope this helps and happy motoring! - danny

5)   Fuses are very cheap. You need to look in your fuse box and it should be marked on the fuse box lid which fuse is for the horn. Look to see if it is blown by the melted wire showing. If the fuse wire isn't blown, then you need to look elsewhere for the problem.
This could be:
The connector to the horn has come loose.
The horn circuit contact pin in the steering wheel has worn down too far and no longer making contact..
The horn is faulty and needs to be replaced. - Gil

6)   Horn loss is usually a bad connection, either in the steering wheel ring or 1 wire to the horn or the ground..
Fuses seldom burn out unless there is a bigger problem. - Dan W

7)   Connect a wire securely to the horn electrical connection then touch the wire to the positive post of the battery, if the horn blows you have a good horn and the possiblility of a bad horn relay. As far as I know you will find the relays including the horn relay on a panel similar in appearance and near the fuse panel, if not near the fuse panel check under hood. I've never known a Mopar to have a horn fuse, but I don't know everything.

There is also the possibility of the "clockspring" under the airbag/horn pad being bad. This is not a repair for a beginner, all sorts of problems can be created if you are not knowledgeable about late model vehicle steering wheel removal. - Don't know everything !

8)   You need to find your horn or horns (HIgh/low) get a test light and have some one push the horn button and see if there is power at the horn connection. If not then locate the PDC (power distribution center) look on the locator chart under the lid and pull the fuse to see if its blown, with the fuse out do the same thing, take a test light, have some one push the horn button and see if power is there, if there is then get a new fuse with the right amp rating (no more than a buck 75). If no power take it to the dealer or a really good qualified mechanic, you may have a problem with your clock spring or BCM ( body control module) - rick b


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Question 3
Does disconnecting the bcm and reconnecting it improve gas mileage?...  A mechanic told me if I disconnected the bcm on my 03 Town and Country for 15-30 minutes and reconnected it, my gas mileage should improve.
Would that cause any problems with any systems?
OK, DUH, I think I misunderstood. He said disconnecting the BATTERY for a time would cause control modules to re-set. PCM, ECM?
I just bought the car used.
Jackolantern: Does that mean then that I WOULD benefit from disconnecting the battery and having the PCM reset.

Thanks a LOT

Answers
1)   Won't change a thing. - badbill1941

2)   The bcm has nothing to do with how the engine runs. False. - C-Tech

3)   Disconnecting the BCM (Body Control Module) will not do anything at all as far as driving the car goes. The BCM controls body related items such as power windows, interior lights, wipers, etc.

Even if you disconnected the PCM (Power-train Control Module) and reconnected it, it would not improve your fuel mileage. It could actually decrease the fuel mileage slightly for a few hundred miles since it would then have to relearn all the sensors, controls, and driving habits.

If this is the mechanic who works on your vehicles, I might suggest finding a new place to take your vehicles.

---Since you bought it used, if the car was not driven in a normal manner, such as driven by a younger driver, driven fast all the time, driven aggressively, or the driver was always either on the gas or on the brakes, to where the fuel mileage was less than optimal, having the PCM unplugged and reset might actually save some fuel mileage while it re-learns your driving habits. It will learn your driving habits anyway, but disconnecting and re-connecting the battery will simply erase all the bad driving memory from the computer, set it to preset parameters, and then re-learn your driving habits while you drive.

It generally takes it anywhere from a few hundred up to about a thousand miles to learn and adapt to your driving habits as a new driver, it might learn and adapt to your habits a little quicker when it's reset since it won't need to learn your habits over the old driver's habits.

However, if it does make a difference, it won't likely be a very big difference if you do reset. - Mark B

4)   i don't know who is your mechanic is but for the next time find somebody better its absolute B.S it might only turn off your check engine light and reset your time . so NO it won't improve cars MPG - HD

5)   No. The only module that re-sets itself is the PCM (Power Controller Module). And that is because it has memory and uses input from sensors to control fuel pulse and timing according to driver input and other factors such as O2 voltage. When you disconnect the battery, the PCM goes back to a predetermined value but updates itself for maximum performance and fuel economy, if all sensors are working properly, while you drive. All other modules are just output according to input. - Jackolantern

6)   the PCM cant be re-set by unplugging the battery, it needs to be done using a computer by the dealership. - DodgeDude


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Question 4
1998 Chrysler Town and Country?...  I'm looking at purchasing a 1998 Town and Country for $2,200 the only thing is it has 218,000 miles on it. It has been very well maintained with regular tune ups, oil changes, ect. ect. How many miles will the transmission last on that particular vehicle? I test drove it and it shifted very nicely, ran smoothly, and there weren't any noises from the engine. Everything about it seemed to be in great condition. Would it be a wise decision to purchase it? How many years could I possibly get out of it?

Answers
1)   id say maby 1 year out of it and maby call crysler yo learn to learn more or read the car facts - Guinea Parrot

2)   I have a 98 plymouth voyager and my nephew has a 98 dodge caravan which those and the town&country are identical other than name, depending on what engine is in it my voyager had the top end of the engine rebuilt but didnt have any transmission problems until about 265,600 which it just ripped the planetary gears out, They r great vehicles safe handle well very fun to drive and versatile! mine has the 3.3l engine only reason it went the transmission cooler got restricted and allowed the transmission to heat up causing the gears to fail. thats the 4 spd computer controlled transmission the 3.3 engine will last 3 4 maybe even 500,000 if well maintained other than the valve cover gaskets tend to seep oil but not enough to worry about. the transmission in the caravan also went previously his has about 170,000and my nephew kept the van and replaced it.

Short version great vehicles, rides great handles good very fun to drive, keep it maintained regularly including tranny fluid (MOPAR ATF+4) ONLY! and filter keep the cooler flushed and regular oil changes (I recommend Valvoline max life 5 w30 fram tough guard oil filter and using engine restore by automotive restore products comes in a metal can wal mart and most parts stores carry it. and you will have a long lasting van you will love, (Obviously my nephew kept his and rebuilt the tranny and I also am keeping mine and going to put the money into it to replace it - ngrube85

3)   it will depend on how hard you drive the car.
expect quite a few more years if you are not pushing the car too hard. - the mysterious stranger

4)   I wouldn't be too concerned about the miles on the vehicle, these could be mostly highway miles. Most transmissions in late model vehicles are very dependable with scheduled service maintenance. They also use full synthetic fluids that are specific for that model. If the wrong fluid is introduced into the trans IT WILL DAMAGE it.

I would do a couple things before buying it.

1.Take it to a reputable transmission shop and ask them to inspect the fluid and share your concerns with them.

2. Call your local dealership and ask to talk to the service manager and tell him that you are looking to purchase from a "Chrysler dealer" a used '98 Town & Country with 218K miles on it, and should you be concerned about the drive-train. I know you're not buying from a dealer but, if they think your buying from a dealer you're more likely to get an answer instead of being brushed off because he/she is too busy to deal with you.

3. Call a couple local junk yards and tell them you think you may have to replace the trans in your van, ask how much and how many they have on hand. If they have many on hand, then it's likely they don't sell many of them, meaning they hold up well.

How many miles will you get out of it? That's a magic question. My son-in-law sold his '96 Chrysler mini van with nearly 300,000 highway miles on it and never had any drive-train problems. Although, he had it serviced as recommended.

I wish you luck... - Crazy

5)   The answer to your question depends on how well the vehicle is cared for and what kind of environment it's subjected too. My mom has a '97 Chrysler Town & Country and it has really been awesome because even the things you expect to fail still work. The weather stripping in the drivers door has started to come apart in one area, but the rest of the weather stripping has NOT dried up and cracked, and neither has the dash - very impressive for having sat outdoors every day in So. Cal. for 12 years. It's still quiet inside, the door locks and levers work fine. It's been a great vehicle, and it currently has just under 170k miles. - Ryan M


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Question 5
When a head gasket is bad will it damage the engine internals?...  I'm looking at buying a 94 Chrysler LHS real cheap because it has a blown head gasket and is leaking coolant into the oil. needs tires and inspection, It runs great though and is in mint condition no rust or anything. My question is with the headgasket being blown would that damage any of the internals in the motor i can get a head gasket kit for 150 and change it myself,Just wondered how big of risk im taking at putting money in it if it could blow up or something be wrong inside the engine from it being bad?
What causes a head gasket to blow or leak? on a test drive it ran great picked up right away easily hit 65mph at barely even half throttle no miss or anything just slight coolant showing up in the valve covers but not in the oil. IS THIS WORTH THE INVESTMENT AND TIME OR SHOULD I FORGET IT UNLESS I PLAN TO REDO THE WHOLE MOTOR ? Also i seen a 3 step bar's leaks professional kit that is supposed to solve the headgasket problem has a few good reviews people said they used it and it worked can it be fixed with that or just better to put new gaskets and seals in it?

Answers
1)   Look on the dipstick and you'll see a sort of froth, which is the oil/water mix. As long as it's still sticking to the dipstick it's probably OK.

You'll have to take the cylinder head off and probably get it skimmed. This is quite good because it'll lift the compression ratio very slightly. Get a quote, though.

If the quote's too much you could try putting two head gaskets on. - Tom P

2)   Thickness of the gasket plays very important role.Correct thickness determines the rated clearance volume.

Landing faces of block and head should be even and clean.

Gaskets to place with anti-seize gasket.

Tightening of the head bolts with specified torque is preferable.

Foundation bolts(The whole engine mounting) and resilience mounting to check for tightness.Check vibration at different speeds.

Coolant treatment,Radiator and cooling water circulating pump and fan performance to check.

Engine should be properly aligned with gear box and clutch and transmission arrangement.

If no proper cooling,recondition the radiator. - TAMIL KING RAJA RAJA CHOLAN

3)   a proper repair is recommended.
but have few quites done or just buy a car that is running without faults.
there is a reason the car is cheap as the reapirs are likely expensive.
also there is a saying covering this
dont throw good money after bad money. - the mysterious stranger

4)   The head gasket, if coolant is leaking, is blown from the water jacket, probably due to over heating. Until it is replaced, it won't get any better, and could go all the way through to leaking oil, losing oil presure, and eventually blowing up, causing severe damage, then you will have to rebuild. Taking chances the way it is risky, and once you do lose all your water, and compression, you will get to pull over to side of the road and get a tow, which I don't think anybody wants to do, ESPECIALLY when buying a new car.
You will HAVE to replace the gaskets, eventually. If you're prepared for that, by all means, do it. DON"T wait until it gets worse, because if you don't fix it, it will. - mr.dfleming57

5)   If it still runs good then there is probably no damage to the bearings. I would recommend changing the head gaskets soon to prevent any damage to the bearings. Do not use the bar's leak - its not a permanent solution and actually could cause furter damage when it breaks down. I hope you are getting a good deal, good luck. - C-Tech


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