How Do I Check the Check Engine Light on a 2003 Chrysler Town and Country 3.8L?
Chrysler's 2003 Town and Country is a large-sized minivan with front-wheel drive. The 3.8-liter is the standard engine size, with a 20-gallon tank that gets 23 miles to the gallon on the highway. The "Check Engine" signal lights up in the dash when the Chrysler's computer recognizes a malfunction in the engine. A code reflecting that problem is stored for your retrieval, and the light flares up to let you know it's there.
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Instructions
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Look under the driver's-side dash for the Assembly Line Diagnostic Link, or ALDL. This 12-to-16-port electrical device is the link to the stored trouble codes in your Chrysler's computer. Pop off the plastic cover to expose the ports.
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Connect the scanner test lead to the ALDL. Turn the scanner on, then turn the ignition key to the "On" position without cranking the engine.
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Read the questions that appear on the scanner's digital screen. Each question is a prompt for information about your vehicle's year, make and model. Answer each prompt.
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Write down the "Check Engine" error codes as they appear on the screen. Each code has a meaning that points to a specific problem detected in the engine. Refer to your Town and Country owner's manual for the code meanings, or click the link in the Resource section for a comprehensive list of Chrysler error codes.
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Address the root of the problem. Pull the codes again. Select the option to reset the computer's code system after the codes are displayed on the screen.
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Tips & Warnings
The codes will reappear if the underlying cause of the issue hasn't been repaired.
Try holding down the odometer trip button down while turning the key to the "On" position if you don't have a scan device. The codes will read out on the digital odometer after every dash instrument is tested.
References
Resources
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