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Dodge/Plymouth/Chrysler Minivan Problems & Solutions - READ ONLY

4276 messages,  Last post on Oct 23, 2006 at 2:11 AM

You are in the Chrysler/Plymouth Voyager, Dodge Caravan Forum.

What is this discussion about? Dodge Caravan, Dodge Grand Caravan, Chrysler Voyager, Plymouth Voyager, Chrysler Town and Country, Van

Messages Page 105 of 428

#1036 of 4276 2000 T&C Transmission Leak by 4aodge

Jan 16, 2002 (4:33 pm)

zimm04, you are the first person I have heard in a long time complain about a Chrysler transmission leak in a 1999-2002 model minivan. We have a flawless 2000 Town & Country LX and I am curious what model you have? Our LX has the 3.3 V6 and we have not had any problems regarding the engine or transmission in the 34k miles we have driven the car.
 
I know that didn't help your situation much, but I personally have never had a problem with a Chrysler van so I wouldnt be much help anyway. Sorry.
 
-Adam

#1037 of 4276 To zimm04 by backy

Jan 16, 2002 (4:53 pm)

My '99 GCS has been leak-free so far, but I am very curious as to how this lemon law thing will come out--whether they will give you a new van or repurchase yours, and at what price. Please let us know how it goes.

#1038 of 4276 Grand Voyager front end shake by lmacmil

Jan 19, 2002 (10:52 am)

My 1990 Grand Voyager (135K miles) has developed a front end shake/shudder between 20 and 35 mph. Feels like an out of round wheel. It bobs up and down noticeably but smooths out above 35 and is completely unnoticeable above 40 or so. The tires are new and look fine. What else could it be? Axle shaft maybe?

#1039 of 4276 Trans, brakes, now paint? by indydriver

Jan 19, 2002 (10:52 am)

Since I bit the $2K new trans bullet on my '90, I am now becoming determined to refurbish this vehicle into a keeper. The 5* observed that the front brake pads were worn out so I took it to Midas this morning as I have a "lifetime" system with them. They replaced front disc pads for $30 labor. The $89.95 pads were "free". They tried to sell me a rotor turning for another $30 but I declined as these rotors are only two years old and I feel no warping through the pedal.
 
Next up is paint. This vintage minivan is notorious for peeling paint, especially on the roof and hood. Since the van was moved outside, the peeling has accelerated, and now its starting to rust through the exposed white primer. I took it to Maaco today for an estimate. $227.50 labor to strip the hood and roof (6.5 hrs x $35/hr) then $250 for their "Supreme" paint service which is supposedly half the normal $499. What do you guys think about this price? Anyone had experience with Maaco or other auto painting franchises?

#1040 of 4276 Imacmil by indydriver

Jan 19, 2002 (10:57 am)

Definitely front axles. As you can see from my posts, I have the same vintage-1990 GVLE. I had the front axles replaced about two years ago by my dealer (although others, like Midas will do it). I was told new factory parts were no longer available...only rebuilts. The rebuilts that were installed made the shake better but didn't completely eliminate it.

#1041 of 4276 Grand Voyager front end shake: I think one tire may be out of round by carleton1

Jan 19, 2002 (10:58 am)

Did your van have a front end shake before you got the new tires?
     Some NEW tires are "out of round" and can not be balanced.
     We got 4 new UniRoyal Tiger Paw AWP for our 91 Astro CL to replace the 4 Tiger Paw Plus that were original equipment. The van had a shake after we got the new tires. I took it back and told them it feels like one tire is defective. They re-balanced the wheels twice before I finally convinced them one of the tires was out of round.
   Once the defective NEW tire was replaced, the van rode as smoothly as it did with the original tires.

#1042 of 4276 Indydriver re: axles by lmacmil

Jan 19, 2002 (12:15 pm)

My axles were replaced less than a year and 7K miles ago so I'd be pretty annoyed if they've gone out already. The front tires were done about 1 month and less than 1K miles after that and all was fine until a couple weeks ago.
 
Looks like we're in the same boat on these old vans; got so much into them (over $3K last year) you hate to give it up<g>. My 19 year old drives mine and I told him he'd better be looking for his own car next summer.

#1043 of 4276 Imacmil-same deal here by indydriver

Jan 19, 2002 (12:31 pm)

We kept the old van when we bought momma a new 2000 GCS. Junior's been driving it since then. The last four years or so, I've had to put about $1K/yr into it to keep it sound....guess that beats a new car payment.
 
However, I REALLY want one of those new RAM 1500's as our third DC vehicle.

#1044 of 4276 Ram 1500 for third DC vehicle? by carleton1

Jan 19, 2002 (4:27 pm)

I would like a PT Cruiser as our 2nd vehicle. However, with less than 37K on our 99 GC, it is not cost efficient to get another vehicle.
    When is it best to get rid of an older vehicle? At what time do repair costs make it unwise to keep the older one operating?

#1045 of 4276 Carl1 by indydriver

Jan 19, 2002 (5:09 pm)

I don't have an analytical answer for you. My strategy has been to buy new and keep for 10 years or more. Obviously, you have little or no trade-in value at that point, but you've enjoyed 5 or 6 years without payments. Now that my kids are reaching driving age, I am not trading in my old vehicles, but handing them down to my kids. All I know is, you can spend an awful lot on repairs before it comes close to a new car (or truck) payment. If I decide to ditch the '90 GVLE and buy a RAM, I'll probably donate it to my church and take a tax write-off rather than suffer the indignity of the dealer's trade-in offer.

Messages Page 105 of 428

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