DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING
SUSPENSION AND STEERING DIAGNOSIS
CONDITION POSSIBLE CAUSES CORRECTION
Front End Whine On Turns 1. Defective wheel bearing 1. Replace wheel bearing
2. Incorrect wheel alignment 2. Check and reset wheel alignment
3. Worn tires 3. Replace tires
Front End Growl Or Grinding On
Turns1. Defective wheel bearing 1. Replace wheel bearing
2. Engine mount grounding 2. Check for motor mount hitting
frame rail and reposition engine as
required
3. Worn or broken C/V joint 3. Replace C/V joint
4. Loose wheel lug nuts 4. Verify wheel lug nut torque
5. Incorrect wheel alignment 5. Check and reset wheel alignment
6. Worn tires 6. Replace tires
7. Front strut pin in upper strut mount 7. Replace the front strut upper mount
and bearing
Front End Clunk Or Snap On Turns 1. Loose lug nuts 1. Verify wheel lug nut torque
2. Worn or broken C/V joint 2. Replace C/V joint
3. Worn or loose tie rod 3. Tighten or replace tie rod end
4. Worn or loose ball joint 4. Tighten or replace ball joint
5. Worn/loose control arm bushing 5. Replace control arm bushing
6. Loose stabilizer bar. 6. Tighten stabilizer bar to specified
torque
7. Loose strut mount to body
attachment7. Tighten strut attachment to
specified torque
8. Loose crossmember bolts 8. Tighten crossmember bolts to
specified torque
Front End Whine With Vehicle
Going Straight At A Constant Speed1. Defective wheel bearing 1. Replace wheel bearing
2. Incorrect wheel alignment 2. Check and reset wheel alignment
3. Worn tires 3. Replace tires
4. Worn or defective transaxle gears
or bearings4. Replace transaxle gears or
bearings
Front End Growl Or Grinding With
Vehicle Going Straight At A
Constant Speed1. Engine mount grounding 1. Reposition engine as required
2. Worn or broken C/V joint 2. Replace C/V joint
Front End Whine When
Accelerating Or Decelerating1. Worn or defective transaxle gears
or bearings1. Replace transaxle gears or
bearings
Front End Clunk When Accelerating
Or Decelerating1. Worn or broken engine mount 1. Replace engine mount
2. Worn or defective transaxle gears
or bearings2. Replace transaxle gears or
bearings
3. Loose lug nuts 3. Verify wheel lug nut torque
4. Worn or broken C/V joint 4. Replace C/V joint
5. Worn or loose ball joint 5. Tighten or replace ball joint
6. Worn or loose control arm bushing 6. Replace control arm bushing
7. Loose crossmember bolts 7. Tighten crossmember bolts to
specified torque
8. Worn tie rod end 8. Replace tie rod end
NSSUSPENSION 2 - 3
CONDITION POSSIBLE CAUSES CORRECTION
Road Wander 1. Incorrect tire pressure 1. Inflate tires to recommended
pressure
2. Incorrect front or rear wheel toe 2. Check and reset wheel toe
3. Worn wheel bearings 3. Replace wheel bearing
4. Worn control arm bushings 4. Replace control arm bushing
5. Excessive friction in steering gear 5. Replace steering gear
6. Excessive friction in steering shaft
coupling6. Replace steering coupler
7. Excessive friction in strut upper
bearing7. Replace strut bearing
Lateral Pull 1. Unequal tire pressure 1. Inflate all tires to recommended
pressure
2. Radial tire lead 2. Perform lead correction procedure
3. Incorrect front wheel camber 3. Check and reset front wheel
camber
4. Power steering gear imbalance 4. Replace power steering gear
5. Wheel braking 5. Correct braking condition causing
lateral pull
Excessive Steering Free Play 1. Incorrect Steering Gear Adjustment 1. Adjust Or Replace Steering Gear
2. Worn or loose tie rod ends 2. Replace or tighten tie rod ends
3. Loose steering gear mounting bolts 3. Tighten steering gear bolts to
specified torque
4. Loose or worn steering shaft
coupler4. Replace steering shaft coupler
Excessive Steering Effort 1. Low tire pressure 1. Inflate all tires to recommended
pressure
2. Lack of lubricant in steering gear 2. Replace steering gear
3. Low power steering fluid level 3. Fill power steering fluid reservoir to
correct level
4. Loose power steering pump drive
belt4. Correctly adjust power steering
pump drive belt
5. Lack of lubricant in ball joints 5. Lubricate or replace ball joints
6. Steering gear malfunction 6. Replace steering gear
7. Lack of lubricant in steering
coupler7. Replace steering coupler
PRE-WHEEL ALIGNMENT INSPECTION
Before any attempt is made to change or correct
the wheel alignment factors. The following part
inspection and the necessary corrections should be
made to those parts which influence the steering of
the vehicle.
(1) Check and inflate all tires to recommended
pressure. All tires should be the same size and in
good condition and have approximately the same
wear. Note the type of tread wear which will aid in
diagnosing, see Wheels and Tires, Group 22.
(2) Check front wheel and tire assembly for radial
runout.
(3) Inspect lower ball joints and all steering link-
age for looseness.
(4) Check for broken or sagged front and rear
springs.(5) Check vehicle ride height to verify it is within
specifications.
(6) AlignmentMUSTonly be checked after the
vehicle has the following areas inspected and or
adjusted. Recommended tire pressures, full tank of
fuel, no passenger or luggage compartment load and
is on a level floor or a properly calibrated alignment
rack.
SERVICE PROCEDURES
WHEEL ALIGNMENT CHECK AND ADJUSTMENT
PROCEDURE
CASTER AND CAMBER
Front suspension Caster and Camber settings on
this vehicle are determined at the time the vehicle is
designed. This is done by determining the precise
2 - 4 SUSPENSIONNS
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING (Continued)
sequence until all nuts are torqued to half specifica-
tion. Then repeat the tightening sequence to the full
specified torque of 129 N´m (95 ft. lbs.).
(7) Lower vehicle to the ground.
CAUTION: When tightening hub/bearing assembly
to stub shaft retaining nut, do not exceed the max-
imum torque of 244 N´m (180 ft. lbs.).
(8) With vehicle brakes applied to keep vehicle
from moving, torque stub shaft to hub/bearing assem-
bly retaining nut to 244 N´m (180 ft. lbs.).
(9) Check the Toe setting on the vehicle and reset
if not within specifications.
FRONT WHEEL MOUNTING STUDS
REMOVE
CAUTION: If a wheel attaching stud needs to be
replaced in the hub and bearing assembly the studs
CAN NOT be hammered out of the hub flange. If a
stud is removed by hammering it out of the bearing
flange, damage to the hub and bearing assembly
will occur leading to premature bearing failure.
The following procedure and special tools shown
MUST BEused when replacing wheel attaching
studs.
The hub and bearing assembly does not require
removal from the steering knuckle to replace wheel
attaching studs in the hub and bearing assembly.
(1) Raise vehicle on jackstands or centered on a
frame contact type hoist. See Hoisting in the Lubri-
cation and Maintenance section of this manual for
the required lifting procedure to be used for this
vehicle.
(2) Remove the front wheel and tire assembly from
the vehicle.
(3) Remove the front caliper assembly from the
front steering knuckle assembly. (Fig. 62) Refer to
Front Disc Brake Service in the Brake Section of this
service manual for caliper removal procedure.
(4) Remove front rotor from hub, by pulling it
straight off wheel mounting studs. (Fig. 63)
(5) Install a lug nut on the wheel stud to be
removed from the hub and bearing assembly, so the
threads on the stud are even with end of lug nut.
Install Remover, Special Tool C-4150A on hub and
bearing assembly flange and wheel stud (Fig. 64).
(6) Tightening down on special tool will push
wheel stud out of the hub and bearing assembly
flange. When shoulder of wheel stud is past flange
remove special tool from hub and bearing assembly.
Remove lug nut from stud and remove wheel stud
from flange.
INSTALL
(1) Install replacement wheel stud into flange of
hub and bearing assembly. Install washers on wheel
stud, then install a wheel lug nut on stud with flat
side of lug nut against washers (Fig. 65).
(2) Tighten the wheel lug nut, pulling the wheel
stud into the flange of the hub and bearing assembly.
When the head of the stud is fully seated against the
bearing flange, remove lug nut and washers from
wheel stud.
(3) Install the braking disk back on the hub and
bearing assembly. (Fig. 63)
Fig. 62 Disc Brake Caliper Mounting
Fig. 63 Removing Braking Disc
2 - 28 SUSPENSIONNS
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION (Continued)
The rear suspension used on the front wheel drive
commercial version of this vehicle is unique to this
application. The rear axle is mounted to the rear leaf
springs as on the non-commercial application of this
vehicle but does not use any isolators between the
spring and the axle. The leaf spring used on the com-
mercial version of this vehicle is a multi-leaf spring
but is a unique design for the commercial applica-
tion.
The rear leaf spring shackle angles provide
increasing suspension rates as the vehicle is loaded.
This provides a comfortable unloaded ride and also
ample rear suspension travel when the vehicle is
loaded.
A new type of load-leveling shock is available. The
self leveling shock absorbers are a self-contained
vehicle leveling system and shock absorber combined.
The shock absorbers are mounted at an angle, paral-
lel to the springs and forward at the top. This design
provides greater stability in addition to controlling
ride motion.
The rear wheel bearings used are similar to the
bearings used in the front wheels. The bearings are
permanently sealed and require no maintenance. The
bearing and hub are serviced as an assembly. For
service procedures, refer to Group 5, Brakes.DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION
REAR WHEEL ALIGNMENT
Alignment adjustment is not required. The rear
axle alignment settings are preset at the factory and
therefore no alignment is necessary.
REAR TRACK BAR
On front wheel drive applications of this vehicle
that are equipped with single leaf rear springs a
track bar (Fig. 3) is used on the rear axle.
The track bar connects the rear axle to the frame/
body of the vehicle. The track bar is isolated from the
body of the vehicle by an isloator bushing located in
each end of the track bar.
The track bar (Fig. 3) prevents excessive side to
side movement of the rear axle. The track bar is used
to keep the location of the axle in the correct position
for optimum handling and control of the vehicle.
STABILIZER BAR
The stabilizer bar (Fig. 4) interconnects both sides
of the rear axle and attaches to the rear frame rails
using 2 rubber isolated link arms.
Jounce and rebound movements affecting one
wheel are partially transmitted to the opposite wheel
to reduce body roll.
Fig. 2 All Wheel Drive Rear Suspension
NSSUSPENSION 2 - 39
GENERAL INFORMATION (Continued)
(4) Remove the locking pliers from the front park
brake cable. This will allow the adjuster in the park
brake pedal mechanism to rotate around to its stop.
This will remove the tension from the adjuster and
front park brake cable.
Use the following procedure to reset the auto
adjuster in the park brake pedal mechanism.
(5) Grasp the exposed section of the front park
brake cable and pull rearward on it. While holding
the park brake in this position, install a pair of lock-
ing pliers on the front park brake cable just rearward
of the second body outrigger bracket (Fig. 42).
(6) Install the equalizer on the front park brake
cable.
(7) Install the left rear and intermediate park
brake cable in the correct location on the park brake
cable equalizer (Fig. 43).
(8) Remove the locking pliers from the front park
brake cable. This will allow the adjuster in the park
brake pedal mechanism to tension the park brake
cables.
(9) Apply and release the park brake pedal one
time. This will seat the park brake cables and allow
the auto adjuster in the park brake pedal mechanism
to correctly tension the park brake cables.
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION
WHEEL AND TIRE INSTALLATION
To install the wheel and tire assembly, first posi-
tion it properly on the mounting surface using the
hub pilot as a guide. Then progressively tighten thelug nuts in the proper sequence to half of the
required torque. Finally tighten the lug nuts in the
proper sequence to 129 N´m (95 ft. lbs.). Never use
oil or grease on studs or nuts.
FRONT DISC BRAKE CALIPER
SERVICE PRECAUTIONS
WARNING: ALTHOUGH FACTORY INSTALLED
BRAKE LININGS ARE MADE FROM ASBESTOS
FREE MATERIALS, SOME AFTER MARKET BRAKE
LINING MAY CONTAIN ASBESTOS. THIS SHOULD
BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT WHEN SERVICING A
VEHICLE'S BRAKE SYSTEM, WHEN AFTERMARKET
BRAKE LININGS MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED ON
THE VEHICLE. ALWAYS WEAR A RESPIRATOR
WHEN CLEANING BRAKE COMPONENTS AS
ASBESTOS CAN CAUSE SERIOUS BODILY HARM
SUCH AS ASBESTOSIS AND OR CANCER. NEVER
CLEAN BRAKE COMPONENTS BY USING COM-
PRESSED AIR, USE ONLY A VACUUM CLEANER
SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED FOR THE REMOVAL OF
BRAKE DUST. IF A VACUUM CLEANER IS NOT
AVAILABLE, CLEAN BRAKE PARTS USING ONLY
WATER±DAMPENED SHOP TOWELS. DO NOT CRE-
ATE BRAKELINING DUST BY SANDING BRAKE LIN-
INGS WHEN SERVICING A VEHICLE. DISPOSE OF
ALL DUST AND DIRT SUSPECTED OF CONTAINING
ASBESTOS FIBERS USING ONLY SEALED AIR-
TIGHT BAGS OR CONTAINERS. FOLLOW ALL REC-
OMMENDED SAFETY PRACTICES PRESCRIBED BY
THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMIN-
ISTRATION (OSHA) AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION AGENCY (EPA), FOR HANDLING AND
DISPOSAL OF PRODUCTS CONTAINING ASBES-
TOS.
CAUTION: During service procedures, grease or
any other foreign material must be kept off brake
shoe assemblies, and braking surfaces of brake
drum and external surfaces of hub/bearing assem-
bly.
REMOVE
(1) Raise vehicle on jackstands or centered on a
hoist. See Hoisting in the Lubrication and Mainte-
nance group of this service manual.
(2) Remove front wheel and tire assemblies.
Fig. 43 Park Brake Cable Attachment To Equalizer
NSBRAKES 5 - 27
SERVICE PROCEDURES (Continued)
(4) Remove rotor from hub/bearing.
NOTE: When measuring the brake drum diameter,
the diameter should be measured in the center of
the area in which the park brake shoes contact the
surface of the brake drum.
(5) Using Gauge, Brake Shoe, Special Tool C-3919
or an equivalent,accuratelymeasure the inside
diameter of the park brake drum portion of the rotor
(Fig. 199).
(6) Using a ruler that reads in 64th of an inch,
accurately read the measurement of the inside diam-
eter of the park brake drum from the special tool
(Fig. 200).
(7) Reduce the inside diameter measurement of
the brake drum that was taken using Special Tool
C-3919 by 1/64 of an inch. Reset Gauge, Brake Shoe,
Special Tool C-3919 or the equivalent used, so that
the outside measurement jaws are set to the reduced
measurement (Fig. 201).(8) Place Gauge, Brake Shoe, Special Tool C-3919
or equivalent over the park brake shoes (Fig. 202).
The special tool must be located straight across at
the center (widest point) of the park brake shoes
(Fig. 202).
(9) Using the star wheel adjuster, adjust the park
brake shoes until the lining on the park brake shoes
just touches the jaws on the special tool.
(10) Install rotor on hub/bearing.
(11) Rotate rotor to verify that the park brake
shoes are not dragging on the brake drum. If park
brake shoes are dragging, remove rotor and back off
star wheel adjuster one notch and recheck for brake
shoe drag against drum. Continue with the previous
step until brake shoes are not dragging on brake
drum.
(12) Install disc brake caliper on caliper adapter
(Fig. 198). If required, refer to Rear Disc Brake Cal-
iper in the Removal And Installation Section in this
Fig. 199 Measuring Park Brake Drum Diameter
Fig. 200 Reading Park Brake Drum Diameter
Fig. 201 Setting Gauge To Park Brake Shoe
Measurement
Fig. 202 Adjusting Park Brake Shoes
5 - 80 BRAKESNS
ADJUSTMENTS (Continued)
START-UP CYCLE
The self diagnostic ABS start up cycle begins when
the ignition switch is turned to the on position. Elec-
trical checks are completed on ABS components, such
as the Controller, solenoid continuity, and the system
relay operation. During this check the Amber ABS
Warning Light is turned on for approximately 4 sec-
onds and the brake pedal may emit a popping sound
and move slightly when the solenoid valves are
checked.
DRIVE-OFF CYCLE
Further Functional testing is accomplished once
the vehicle is set in motion and reaches a speed of
about 20 kph (12 mph.). This cycle is performed only
once after each ignition on/off cycle.
²The pump/motor is activated briefly to verify
function. When the pump/motor is activated a whirl-
ing or buzzing sound may be heard by the driver,
which is normal when the pump/motor is running.
²The wheel speed sensor output is verified to be
within the correct operating range.
ONGOING TESTS
Other tests are performed on a continuous basis.
These include checks for solenoid continuity, wheel
speed sensor continuity and wheel speed sensor out-
put.
ABS DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES
Diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) are kept in the con-
troller's memory until either erased by the technician
using the DRB or erased automatically after 3500
miles. DTC's are retained by the controller even if
the ignition is turned off or the battery is discon-
nected. More than one DTC can be stored at a time.
The mileage of the most recent occurrence, number of
occurrences and the DTC that was stored is also dis-
played. Most functions of the CAB and the ABS sys-
tem can be accessed by the technician for testing and
diagnostic purposes by using the DRB.
LATCHING VERSUS NON-LATCHING
DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES
Some DTC's detected by the CAB are latching; the
DTC is latched and ABS braking is disabled until the
ignition switch is reset. Thus ABS braking is non
operational even if the original DTC has disappeared.
Other DTC's are non-latching; any warning lights
that are turned on, are only turned on as long as the
DTC condition exists. As soon as the condition goes
away, the ABS Warning Light is turned off, although
a DTC will be set in most cases.
INTERMITTENT DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES
As with virtually any electronic system, intermit-
tent electrical problems in the ABS system may be
difficult to accurately diagnose.
Most intermittent electrical problems are caused
by faulty electrical connections or wiring. When an
intermittent fault is encountered, check suspect cir-
cuits for:
A visual inspection for loose, disconnected, or mis-
routed wires should be done before attempting to
diagnose or service the ITT Teves Mark 20 antilock
brake system. A visual inspection will eliminate
unnecessary testing and diagnostics time. A thorough
visual inspection will include the following compo-
nents and areas of the vehicle.
(1) Inspect fuses in the power distribution center
(PDC) and the wiring junction block. Verify that all
fuses are fully inserted into the PDC and wring junc-
tion block. A label on the underside of the PDC cover
identifies the locations of the ABS fuses in the PDC.
(2) Inspect the 25-way electrical connector at the
CAB for damage, spread or backed-out wiring termi-
nals. Verify that the 25-way connector is fully
inserted in the socket on the CAB. Be sure that wires
are not stretched tight or pulled out of the connector.
(3) Verify that all the wheel speed sensor connec-
tions are secure.
(4) Poor mating of connector halves or terminals
not fully seated in the connector body.
(5) Improperly formed or damaged terminals. All
connector terminals in a suspect circuit should be
carefully reformed to increase contact tension.
(6) Poor terminal to wire connection. This requires
removing the terminal from the connector body to
inspect.
(7) Pin presence in the connector assembly
(8) Proper ground connections. Check all ground
connections for signs of corrosion, tight fasteners, or
other potential defects. Refer to wiring diagram man-
ual for ground locations.
(9) Problems with main power sources of the vehi-
cle. Inspect battery, generator, ignition circuits and
other related relays and fuses.
(10) If a visual check does not find the cause of the
problem, operate the car in an attempt to duplicate
the condition and record the trouble code.
(11) Most failures of the ABS system will disable
ABS function for the entire ignition cycle even if the
fault clears before key-off. There are some failure
conditions, however, which will allow ABS operation
to resume during the ignition cycle in which a failure
occurred if the failure conditions are no longer
present. The following conditions may result in inter-
mittent illumination of the ABS Warning Lamp. All
other failures will cause the lamp to remain on until
the ignition switch is turned off. Circuits involving
NSBRAKES 5 - 97
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING (Continued)
The instrument cluster is equipped with the follow-
ing warning lamps.
²Lift Gate Ajar
²Low Fuel Level
²Low Windshield Washer Fluid Level
²Cruise
²Battery Voltage
²Fasten Seat Belt
²Door Ajar
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING
DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES
NS vehicle instrument clusters are equipped with a
self diagnostic test feature to help identify electronic
problems. Prior to any test, perform Self Diagnostic
Test. The self diagnostic system monitors the CCD
bus messages. If an electronic problem occurs, a
Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) will be displayed in
the odometer window of the cluster.
The following CCD bus messages are continuously
monitored by the diagnostic system:
²Body Control Module
²Powertrain Control Module
²Transmission Control Module, if equipped
HEADLAMP SWITCH
Using a Digital Multimeter, equipped with a diode
test to perform the Headlamp Switch Test below (Fig.
1).
Switch position possibilities are open (no continu-
ity), continuity, resistance value in ohms, or diode
test. Use the values in the third column to determine
meter setting. If Headlamp Switch is not within spec-
ifications replace as necessary.
The Chrysler Town and Country is available with
optional Automatic Headlamps. For diagnosis, refer
to the proper Body Diagnostic Procedures Manual.
SELF DIAGNOSTIC TEST
To activate self diagnostic program:
(1) With the ignition switch in the OFF position,
depress the TRIP and RESET buttons.
(2) While holding the TRIP and RESET button
turn the ignition switch to the ON position.
(3) Continue to hold the TRIP and RESET buttons
until the word CODE appears in the odometer win-
dows (about five seconds) then release the buttons. If
a problem exists, the system will display Diagnostic
Trouble Codes (DTC's). If no problem exists, the code
999 (End Test) will momentarily appear.
DIM TEST
When CHEC-0 is displayed in the odometer win-
dow, the cluster's vacuum fluorescent (VF) displayswill dim down. If the VF display brightness does no
change, a problem exists in the cluster.
Fig. 1 Headlamp Switch Test
8E - 2 INSTRUMENT PANEL AND SYSTEMSNS
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION (Continued)