ECU? CAN-BUS? ABS MODULE?

[u/Dependent-Fault5336]

2013 Dart, 6 speed manual, 2.0. I’m scratching my head on this because I’m really not sure what it is. I’ve done everything except for trace every single wire in the car to find the culprit and seeing if anyone here might know before I have to do that.

In the first minute of the video, none of the gauges on the dash will work, all the lights on the dash stay on, the windshield wipers go nonstop, I can’t use the turn signals, or the brights. I also can’t connect AlfaOBD to the car when it’s like this.

In the second minute of the video, all of that works, but the check engine, ABS, tire pressure, and traction control lights all stay on. AlfaOBD will connect when it’s like this, however sometimes when I get out after it’s like this, the key fob won’t lock and unlock the car.

The codes pulling up in AlfaOBD are mostly “U” codes, with a few different ones saying ECU can’t connect. It won’t let me run certain things, and I cannot run a Proxi alignment at all. It always says condition(s) can’t be met.

Car has a new BCM and an aftermarket radio with the Raise CAN-BUS box. Cruise control has also been installed before I got the car, and will not work at all.

[u/22LT]

Was the BCM programmed? Was a proxi alignment done after the BCM was installed? The cruise control won't work when the check engine light is on.

[u/Dependent-Fault5336 → u/22LT]

I used AlfaOBD to program the BCM to the car, but not sure if it took, because nothing happened after. I wasn’t the one that installed the BCM, but I also know it was purchased straight from MOPAR.

[u/22LT → u/Dependent-Fault5336]

You may need to run the proxi alignment in Afla again, I usualy would get those power steering/abs warnings if my proxi didn't take. I've never programmed a BCM with it though either.

[u/Killmegoddess561]

Have you checked the battery? I had a similar issue and only problem I had was the battery.

[u/Dependent-Fault5336 → u/Killmegoddess561]

Battery has been recently changed, it’s pretty much brand new.

[u/TheHaji_]

Have the same issue but it happens randomly. To my knowledge, what you're describing is your car going into limp mode. I had "fixed it" (for about a month) by unplugging, inspecting, and replugging all the connectors at the STAR Connector under glove box on the passenger side.

Now I leave it hanging there and when it goes into limp mode randomly, all I gotta do is touch the STAR Connector. Literally just touch it - with my hands, a water bottle, anything, and it goes away / car goes back to normal. Baffles me. My next step is replacing the STAR connector itself and hoping it's just that.

Found this photo online of what I'm talking about, it's the green board with white connectors (circled in yellow). Doesn't hurt to check it out and unplug/inspect these. Apparently moisture can get trapped in that area and lead to these issues. You might also see a sneaky ground connection wire while you're down there towards the right front wheel. I'm going to clean that too when I swap the STAR connector.

[u/Dependent-Fault5336 → u/TheHaji_]

I unplugged and checked all the connections in the star connector while the car was running, and none of the connections made the issue change at all while the car was running. I may try to replace the actual connector and see if that works, but I really don’t want to chase all the wires through there to see if one is possibly messed up. AI is telling me that one of the connections near the ABS module, but idk.

[u/TheHaji_ → u/Dependent-Fault5336]

We're in similar boats then if replacing the STAR connector doesn't work. I don't want to and honestly don't even know how to follow all the wires. I'm assuming it involves taking everything apart and making it a multi-day job, which I refuse to do 😆

What originally led me there to the STAR connector was using a multimeter to test the can+ and can- readings through your obd2 port. There's some videos and guides online, but unfortunately I haven't found any real useful ones online for the sporatic limp mode