How to Reset the Malfunction Light in a Town & Country
by Kevin MclainChrysler Town & Country vans come with an electronic vehicle-protection system. The protection system includes warning lights on the dash that illuminate when there is the engine malfunctions or there is a problem with other vital components. You should remedy the problem before resetting the warning light. Otherwise, the malfunction will still exist and the warning light will eventually come back on. You can employ a couple of methods to reset the warning light.
Step 1
Park the vehicle on a level surface and shut the engine off. Walk to the rear of the van and ensure that the gas cap is properly tightened. A loose gas cap can cause a malfunction light to stay on.
Step 2
Sit in the driver's seat, turn the ignition key to the "Accessory" position for about ten seconds and then turn it off. Do this three times.
Step 3
Crank the engine on the fourth turn of the ignition key. Let the engine run until the engine warning/malfunction light goes out. If the light does not go out after one to two minutes, shut the engine off and open the hood.
Step 4
Raise the hood and prop it in place with the hood rod. Disconnect the negative battery cable from the negative battery post on the battery with a small ratchet and a socket. The negative post on the battery has a (-) symbol stamped beside it.
Step 5
Leave the battery disconnected for about 30 minutes. Reconnect the negative battery cable to the negative battery post and tighten the cable down tight with the ratchet and socket. Removing the negative battery cable should have caused the vehicle's protection system to lose its memory and reset the light.
Step 6
Crank the engine and inspect the light to see if it remains on. If the light goes out, turn the engine off. If the light remains on, let the engine run for about two more minutes. If the light stays on, take the van to a repair shop to have the malfunction diagnosed and the light reset with an electronic scan tool.
References
- "Dodge Caravan, Plymouth Voyager & Chrysler Town and Country Haynes Repair Manual for 1996 thru 2002 including Grand Caravan but excluding information on All-Wheel Drive and alternative fuel models"; John Haynes; 2003
Tips
- If the malfunction has not been properly repaired, the light will eventually come back on even after it has been reset. The malfunction must be resolved before the malfunction light can be properly reset.
Things You'll Need
- 3/8-inch drive ratchet
- 3/8-inch drive socket set
Warnings
- Remove only the negative cable from the battery when resetting the malfunction light. Removing both battery cables can cause more problems with the vehicle's protection system.
Writer Bio
Kevin Mclain has more than 20 years of automotive, home improvement and landscaping experience. He has been writing for various online publications since 2002. Mclain has U.S. Army certification in automotive maintenance and repair, among more than 15 additional certifications related to the automotive field.
