If the check engine light is flashing on your Chrysler Town and Country, it’s just your vehicle’s way of trying to tell you that it’s experiencing a problem. But what does it mean specifically? In most cases, the problem has to do with engine misfiring, meaning that raw fuel is being injected into the exhaust system. However, there are other situations that can cause the check engine light to illuminate. Keep reading to learn some helpful DIY diagnostics tips to help you better understand your T&C.
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Chrysler Town and Country Check Engine Light DIY Diagnostics
Whenever the check engine light begins blinking on your Chrysler Town and Country, there will always be an associated trouble code. Trouble codes allow you to know where to begin hunting down the issue that’s causing the check engine light to blink. Code scanners are inexpensive and widely available. Use one to determine precisely why your Town & Country check engine light is on.
Check Engine Light Chrysler Town and Country: Engine Issues
If the check engine light begins blinking on your Chrysler Town and Country, the most probable reason is that the ignition system has an issue. The ignition system comprises ignition coil packs, spark plugs, and spark plug wires. Older vehicles will use a distributor instead of a coil pack. These parts work in unison to ignite the fuel that is injected into the combustion chamber with precise timing.
P0300 Code: Random Multiple Misfire
The P0300 trouble code is the most common one thrown on Chrysler T&Cs. It happens when the engine misfires due to a fuel issue, malfunctioning ignition system components, or an issue with the timing. This code does not specify which cylinder is misfiring, meaning further diagnostics will be needed. It should be noted that an engine misfire can sometimes warrant a replacement Chrysler engine.
P0301-P0312 Codes: Cylinder-Specific Misfire
Trouble codes ranging from P0301 up to P0312 indicate that specific cylinders are misfiring. The cylinder number will always correspond with its position in the vehicle’s firing order. When you see these trouble codes thrown out, it’s almost always because of an issue with one of your spark plugs or ignition coil packs. There are some other codes that might be thrown, but these are the most common.
Chrysler Town and Country Check Engine Light Reset
Your Chrysler Town and Country check engine light might start flashing if you have a fuel system issue, which can indicate a problem with either air, fuel, or spark. These are common reasons why your engine will misfire and it’s likely due to your fuel mixture being too lean or too rich. Or, your fuel may not be atomizing properly, meaning there’s too little fuel to accommodate combustion.
If your T&C’s fuel mixture is too lean or too rich, the engine will misfire, the check engine light will begin flashing, and fuel mixture-related codes like P0171, P0172, P0173, and so on will be thrown out.
Engine misfiring may also be caused by malfunctioning fuel injectors not allowing proper atomization of the fuel. While these are the most common issues that cause your check engine light to flash, there are some other possible reasons, including:
- The cam jumped positions
- The EGR system isn’t recycling burnt exhaust properly
- If your vehicle is equipped with VVT, it may be malfunctioning
- The ECM/PCM is misreading the position of the cam or crank, disrupting proper engine timing
It’s also possible that your Chrysler Town and Country check engine light is flashing because of more serious mechanical problems, like bent valves, broken lifters, or other internal engine issues. If this is the case and you’re able to start your engine at all, it will likely run very roughly. Turn it off and have your vehicle towed to a professional mechanic.
Chrysler Town & Country Check Engine Light: Summary
Engine misfiring is the primary cause for a Chrysler Town and Country check engine light to begin flashing. In many cases, the problem is simple, involving spark plugs, spark plug wires, or ignition coil packs that have already lived their best lives and need to be replaced.
However, your check engine light might be flashing because of a more serious mechanical problem. We recommend purchasing an inexpensive code reader at your local auto parts store or online to help you troubleshoot why your check engine light is flashing. A quick bit of research on the trouble code thrown will greatly simplify your quest to figure out the problem.
Check engine lights begin flashing to give warnings about mechanical issues that need to be addressed before they grow into monsters. So, if your check engine light begins flashing, just shut your Town and Country off until you can give it the proper attention it needs. You don’t want to ruin your engine by not taking prompt action to solve a simple problem. Good luck!
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