Starting problem

DKLARZ

MEMBER
1992 CHRYSLER NEW YORKER
6 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
87,000 MILES

I've recently took ownership of a 1992 Chrysler New Yorker Fifth Avenue - a free project car. Not a pretty car (yet!) But has only 87000 miles on it and only 26000 were put on since 2000. It's savable.

I drove it home but can't start it now. It'll turn over and try to start but it won't fire-up. It acts like it's out of gas (it's not). There's some kind of electrical problem that drained the battery. I hear a flasher type device in the glove compartment when there's juice in the battery and the running lights flash like the hazard flashers are on (they're not). I removed the running lights fuse from under the hood and quieted the flasher. I've charged the battery but still can't get it to start. I suspect it may have something to do with the security system. The manual says the car won't start under certain security system conditions but doesn't tell me what to look for in a security system failure. The previous owner told me the alarm system was acting "funny".

I'm not concerned with the electrical problem at the moment. I only want to get it started so I can run some diagnostics. Any ideas on what I can do here?

Thanks.

1 Reply

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,752 POSTS

The security system sets when the battery is reconnected or charged from dead. To turn it off, use the key to unlock either front door. There is a large black cable right behind the battery with a bullet connector, usually white, that you can disconnect whenever the car will not be started for more than three weeks. That's all the longer a good battery can be expected to hold a good enough charge to crank the engine. The memory circuits in all of the computers put a constant drain of up to 35 milliamps on the battery.

When you reconnect that bullet connector or the battery cables, the parking lights will be flashing for three minutes, but in this case, the horn will not be honking. The anti-theft system is what is preventing the engine from running. It will turn off when you unlock either door with the key. You can also turn it off by unlocking the doors with the remote key fob.

Since you mentioned the glove box, keep in mind if you stuff it full of too many maps and paperwork, the light switch tab will bend, then the light won't turn off. That can drain the battery overnight.

Caradiodoc