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Limp Mode Again! Code P0888
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joezapp
User
Sep 9, 2021, 7:03 PM
Post #26 of 63
(1014 views)
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Re: Limp Mode Again! Code P0888
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(This post was edited by joezapp on Sep 10, 2021, 4:47 AM)
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gsferraro
Veteran
Sep 10, 2021, 4:16 AM
Post #27 of 63
(983 views)
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Re: Limp Mode Again! Code P0888
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Hey Joe,
Could you post your vin number, want to pull a wiring diagram. This is an electrical code with many issues that can cause this code, Do you have a TCM for the trans?
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joezapp
User
Sep 10, 2021, 4:52 AM
Post #28 of 63
(975 views)
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Re: Limp Mode Again! Code P0888
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Hi Gary. Thanks so much for pulling the wiring diagram. For the thread purposes it's the VIN "X" model 2003 Stratus. I'll PM the full VIN shortly.
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gsferraro
Veteran
Sep 10, 2021, 7:11 AM
Post #29 of 63
(962 views)
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Re: Limp Mode Again! Code P0888
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Ok Sounds good will over weekend, shop is packed at the moment
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joezapp
User
Sep 10, 2021, 10:14 PM
Post #30 of 63
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Re: Limp Mode Again! Code P0888
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Appreciate it, Gary. Thank you!
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gsferraro
Veteran
Sep 11, 2021, 2:22 PM
Post #31 of 63
(932 views)
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Re: Limp Mode Again! Code P0888
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ok, so this code won't clear? it comes right back when cleared? Gary
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joezapp
User
Sep 11, 2021, 11:17 PM
Post #32 of 63
(917 views)
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Re: Limp Mode Again! Code P0888
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When I clear the code, it will stay clear until a warm start. On a cold start (sitting at least 3 hours) I can go on the interstate and do a long drive without any issue. If I stop at a grocery store and then drive, it will show a check engine light after driving one block, and I will have to limp back home. That has been the cycle for 5 weeks now.
On very rare occasion, it will do a 2nd start without limping. Also on very rare occasion (like this morning), the first start of the day will show a check engine light and go limp. But these haven't been the norm.
Thanks,
Joe
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gsferraro
Veteran
Sep 12, 2021, 11:52 AM
Post #33 of 63
(898 views)
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Re: Limp Mode Again! Code P0888
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ok, i ran the vin, shows it has a PCM which should have 4 connectors, the C4 connector is for the transmission. Can you confirm that it has a PCM with 4 connectors. Gary
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joezapp
User
Sep 12, 2021, 10:51 PM
Post #34 of 63
(884 views)
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Re: Limp Mode Again! Code P0888
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Hi Gary. Thank you for doing that. Everything I read says that it has a PCM. Where would the PCM location be compared to the TCM? I ask because my mechanic friend pointed out the TCM to me, which is unfortunately buried under many other parts.
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gsferraro
Veteran
Sep 13, 2021, 2:35 PM
Post #35 of 63
(860 views)
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Re: Limp Mode Again! Code P0888
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Not so sure that is the TCM, you need to find the PCM and confirm it has 4 connectors. Have you checked any fuses yet?
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joezapp
User
Sep 13, 2021, 11:04 PM
Post #36 of 63
(846 views)
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Re: Limp Mode Again! Code P0888
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Hi Gary. Thank you. I always thought these cars had both a TCM and a PCM? But either way, it does seem from the research I've done that this issue is all about the PCM and the connections and wiring involved. Since the PCM is not easily accessible, I'll try to access a factory service manual to confirm this information for you. I don't want to pay my mechanic friend for repeated labor getting down in there. A lot of parts will need to be removed, and I would rather him get in there just once.
Yes, I already found that the EATX relay is #26. I swapped starter relay #27 with EATX relay #26, cleared the code, and drove to the corner. Check Engine light came back on, limp mode enabled. I see nothing amiss with EATX Fuse #9 upon examination. I believe we can rule out an issue with the relay itself or the fuse itself.
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gsferraro
Veteran
Sep 14, 2021, 5:50 PM
Post #37 of 63
(812 views)
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Re: Limp Mode Again! Code P0888
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where is the pcm located? fender well? checks may need to be done at the pcm at the C4 connector
Says PCM is left front of engine compartment
(This post was edited by gsferraro on Sep 14, 2021, 5:52 PM)
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joezapp
User
Sep 14, 2021, 10:12 PM
Post #38 of 63
(796 views)
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Re: Limp Mode Again! Code P0888
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Thank you, Gary. That's where my mechanic friend pointed. Left front engine compartment. Assuming he was pointing at the PCM (and not the TCM), it is not at the fender well. It is more toward the engine, way down, and directly below the air filter compartment. Near the fender well is the fuse and relay box.
Will the C4 connector be labeled? And does "checks" mean visual inspection to make sure everything is clean and not frayed? Or does "checks" also mean electrical testing?
Thank you!
(This post was edited by joezapp on Sep 15, 2021, 8:19 PM)
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gsferraro
Veteran
Sep 16, 2021, 5:47 PM
Post #39 of 63
(756 views)
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Re: Limp Mode Again! Code P0888
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Will check out the wiring diagram again over the weekend, my shop is beyond busy
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joezapp
User
Sep 16, 2021, 8:16 PM
Post #40 of 63
(750 views)
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Re: Limp Mode Again! Code P0888
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Thanks, Gary. Glad to hear business is good!
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joezapp
User
Sep 19, 2021, 12:20 AM
Post #41 of 63
(734 views)
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Re: Limp Mode Again! Code P0888
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I have what may be good news to report. In addition to the check engine light Saturday I also got the charging (red battery) light. With the car running I'm getting 11.9 volts across the positive and negative terminals. Of course, it should be 13-14 volts. My instant thought was that the alternator isn't doing it's job, and changing the alternator is going to resolve all the issues that I'm having, as Tom already presented as a possibility.
But I'm reading that it's possible that the alternator is not the cause of all the problems, but rather just another symptom of the problem. In other words, it's possible that the alternator is unable to do it's job properly because of another existing fault. Don't know what the odds are of that?
I've also read that it's possible that there is a bad connection at the alternator. I should point out that back in January, I had a coolant overflow which spilled onto the alternator in a big way (I didn't have the large overflow funnel on the filler tube after replacing a coolant line and refilling the system). The radiator cap is just above the alternator. I never felt good about the alternator getting wet with hot coolant like that, but for 6 1/2 months I had no issues.
Like I said, Saturday's new wrinkle could be great news or just more bad news. I appreciate thoughts on this!
Thanks,
Joe
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Sep 19, 2021, 12:46 AM
Post #42 of 63
(733 views)
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Re: Limp Mode Again! Code P0888
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11.9V for one quick check isn't conclusive YET. It would if stayed there. Spikes lower will or higher fry thing out of range.
Just dismayed - the overflow dumps hot coolant right on Alternator.
>Is there a hole in the forehead of who designed this thing?
Nuff said,
Tom
(This post was edited by Tom Greenleaf on Sep 19, 2021, 1:07 AM)
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Sep 19, 2021, 3:19 AM
Post #43 of 63
(721 views)
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Re: Limp Mode Again! Code P0888
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One more wrinkle to throw into this is that this alternator does not have an internal voltage regulator. The regulator for this car is built into the PCM so the alternator isn't necessarily to blame for not charging.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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joezapp
User
Sep 19, 2021, 10:25 AM
Post #44 of 63
(702 views)
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Re: Limp Mode Again! Code P0888
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I have the battery charging right now, as it was quite a bit discharged from driving home yesterday with the charging (red battery) light on. Hammer Time brings up a good point that the alternator does not have an internal voltage regulator. And my check engine light/limp mode issue, which today starts the 8th week of this, IS a voltage issue.
Before I buy an alternator for possibly no reason, is there a way with my load tester or multi-meter to rule OUT the alternator being faulty?
Also, for Gary, with the help of the web and my model year, I have located the PCM (didn't know PCM and ECM were the same thing!) as well as the C4 connector. While I inspect the condition of the wiring and connections, can you tell me what electrical testing I can do at the C4 connector? I have my multi-meter ready to go.
Thanks,
Joe
(This post was edited by joezapp on Sep 19, 2021, 11:04 AM)
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Sep 19, 2021, 11:38 AM
Post #45 of 63
(688 views)
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Re: Limp Mode Again! Code P0888
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Your call on Alt. You all know it's "regulated" outside it but can be tested (The Zone) and others - free) AYOR with that too. It may not fix it as it might not always be low voltage. Now I'd like to see you put a voltmeter into a cig lighter or power port and watch live voltage. All my own have those but take it out or know some makes/models ports or lighters don't work unless in "run" position IDK car by car.
Wrong voltage low or high always caused problems if only blowing light bulbs or dim lights.
So your call on a chance with alternator. I'd try to catch it and whack it with a strong pole of wood and a hammer then watch if it changed?? Tom
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Sep 19, 2021, 12:30 PM
Post #46 of 63
(684 views)
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Re: Limp Mode Again! Code P0888
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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joezapp
User
Sep 19, 2021, 1:09 PM
Post #47 of 63
(680 views)
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Re: Limp Mode Again! Code P0888
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Thanks, Hammer Time. Didn't know it would be so complex to rule out the alternator. That's out of my league.
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joezapp
User
Sep 19, 2021, 2:15 PM
Post #48 of 63
(662 views)
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Re: Limp Mode Again! Code P0888
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Tom, I'm interested in learning how to put a voltmeter in a cigarette lighter. I just attempted it and got a spark. Don't know if I did it right.
Cigarette lighter is powered continuous. Should the car be running? Set the voltmeter to 20V (upper left quadrant)? Where does the black lead go, any screw? And the reading should be 12V continuous?
I'm headed to the parts store for their free alternator check. I am buying the alternator, but I am hesitant to bother installing it.
In 7 weeks time, I have put a great deal of time into this. I have learned precisely when the check engine light/limp mode happens and doesn't happen. I have learned where the TCR is, and where it's related fuse is. I have finally learned where the PCM is and where transmission connector C4 is, and it's wiring is all taped up and the connector is sealed and I have no reason to think anything is amiss there. Bottom line is that after 7 weeks, I still don't know what the problem is, and still don't have a lead. Knowing where things are is helpful but doesn't fix the problem. This is my wife's car, and it's almost time to move on from this car. I need 2 questions answered:
1) What are the odds that I will still have a red battery charging light if I go through the expense parts and labor to install a remanned alternator? If the red light goes out, at least the car is drive-able in limp mode. Currently the car is useless. We managed to still make the car useful for 7 weeks with strategically timed starts.
2) What are the odds that changing the alternator will resolve BOTH issues?
It's come to that. It's time to do cost/benefit analysis.
Thanks guys!
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Sep 19, 2021, 2:48 PM
Post #49 of 63
(659 views)
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Re: Limp Mode Again! Code P0888
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Quote you: ">2) What are the odds that changing the alternator will resolve BOTH issues?<"
It's still a crap shoot without catching in the act.
BTW at least 2 over decades now have just up and freaked out while driving without warnings, recent work or extreme anything! Scary - it's a spinning thing with electricity in it those were dead shorts! Out of nowhere.
Check if getting a reman one if it's new in the box, cloned is popular all new. Some may fuss a bit to fit just right but really was new in box marked/priced as reman. Ask. Also keep your "core alternator" till this is over or you throw a hand grenade into this car and give up. Problem solved.
It's been a ride Joe you've done well to keep at it. Sure does take forever for some issues this one just too annoying if it was mine.
I'll try to find current info (later I'm plain tired) on cig light display real voltage LIVE car off, on and at what revs. Also how much it drops when items are turned on - info city for me personally.
Good luck. Car is what most would say old now it's still around so done well all things considered.
If you do the new alternator chaulk it up to a gamble I can't say parts can be a pest new too - you didn't want to hear that I'm sure,
Tom
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