Will not start, engine lights flicker?

Tiny
QAJUN47
  • MEMBER
  • 2012 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 157,000 MILES
Yesterday and now this morning too my husband went to start our van up and it wouldn't start. We just got the alternator replaced a few months ago. The dash lights flickered weirdly. He took a video of it. I'll try to attach the video.

Edit: It started fine when I went to start it a few hours later and every time after that until my husband had it at work overnight again.
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Friday, August 4th, 2023 AT 5:34 AM

5 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,144 POSTS
Thanks for the video. This starts to happen when the TIPM (totally integrated power module) or ICM (instrument cluster module) is going out, but to be sure we should do a CAN scan, you can get a CAN scanner (Controller Area Network) which will work on most cars from Amazon.

here is a video to show you how:

https://youtu.be/u-4syLc-ifQ

If codes come up for the TIPM it is easy to fix because it self-learns, you can get a preprogrammed ICM by searching Google or Ebay. Check out the images (below). Please let us know how it goes.
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Friday, August 4th, 2023 AT 1:02 PM
Tiny
QAJUN47
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Thank you for your quick response. I found out after I posted this that my husband leaves the accessories on for long periods of time throughout the night. He does outside security so spends a lot of time in the vehicle keeping lookout. A diy mechanic friend thought it could be a weak battery after hearing that. Does this new information change your response?

Thanks so much!
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Friday, August 4th, 2023 AT 3:04 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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Yes, it could be the battery if the engine will not crank over after this problem occurs, this guide can help you see if this is the problem:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-battery-load-test

Please go over this guide and get back to us.
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Saturday, August 5th, 2023 AT 10:08 AM
Tiny
QAJUN47
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
We ended up replacing the battery and it solved the problem so far. Hopefully that's it and nothing else will pop up for a while. Thank you so much for your advice and guides.
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Sunday, August 6th, 2023 AT 9:12 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,144 POSTS
Thanks for letting us know, we are here to help, please use 2CarPros anytime.
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Monday, August 7th, 2023 AT 10:35 AM

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