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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 107 of 428

#1061 of 4276 2002 Grand Caravan - Problems by shovey0

Jan 27, 2002 (6:33 pm)

Ok, I'll try to keep this short and I looked for another topic like this and could not find one, so, I'm sorry if it is somewhere else. Just point me the right direction and I'll move the discussion there. Also, I whine a little bit followed by questions.
 
Anyway, this past December, my wife and I decided to trade my '99 Dodge Dakota 4X4 for a new minivan. We searched and after many dealerships and test drives we found the dealer and vehicle we liked. Obviously, we decided on the 2002 GC ex.
 
The dealer worked with us and we were comfortable withthe deal. We drove the vehicle around town for about 50 mi or so before taking a trip home for the holidays. The van functioned fine and we are really pleased with it. It ran fine all the way there and while we stayed there. It was the trip home that we began to have trouble.
 
We experienced 3 issues:
1.) the left power door stop responding
2.) during transit, the vehicle began jerking intermittently.
3.) after the latter, the engine malfunction light illuminated.
 
Now, when we arrived home we drove the vehicle to the service department(they have Saturday hours)and they returned it to us the following Monday, all errors corrected as follows:
 
1.) the door: worked for them and still works. Ok, chalk it up to a 'triangle experience'.
 
2.) Engine light a result of a 'loose' injector.
3.) 'jerking' or loss of engine power due to misfire as result of the latter.
 
  The van drove fine until the following Saturday:
1.) Door still works fine
2.) 'loss of engine power' or 'jerkiness'
3.) engine light came on.
 
They have had it for 3 weeks now and tell me that between thier technician and Chrysler they can't agree what the issue is or how to fix it. No options to resolve it either. The van only has 1700 mi(started with 11 mi) on it.
 
Frankly we are disappointed, we really like the van and if we were to replace it, we would get another. I understand that these things happen but how hard is it to see that this will not work for me?
 
  So, what am I asking for here?
 
1.) Has anyone experienced a similar problem with a 2002 Grand Caravan eX that maybe I can point these guys too?
 
2.) Suggestions on how to help someone see the solution for me? Which is get me a new van! (I think at 1700 mi I'm entitled. Maybe I'm wrong, let me know that too!)A lawyer has told me I can't do anything about lemon law yet.

#1062 of 4276 To shovey0 re problems by backy

Jan 27, 2002 (8:24 pm)

Have you tried your idea about a new van with the dealership yet? That seems a reasonable request to me given that they have had the van for three weeks and cannot find the problem. I am assuming they loaned you (at no charge) a comparable vehicle during these three weeks. If not, I would request one immediately. If the dealer does not agree with your request for a new van, you could take it up the chain at DaimlerChrysler. What does the lemon law in your state say? Usually it's three occurrences of the same problem. So you already have two. You might try offering them a per-mile fee for the 1700 miles you've driven, say 10-15 cents/mile, or offer to take a demo van with comparable miles, if they won't budge and you want to get it settled without lawyers and further aggravation.

#1063 of 4276 noisy fuel pump? by mcl7

Jan 28, 2002 (10:44 am)

I have a T&C Limited 01,with 7000 miles, about a month ago
I noticed a humming noise coming from below the middle section
of the van,loud enough to be heard above the idling engine;
The dealer replaced the fuel pump, the noise was gone for about
a month, now it is back, I took the van back to the dealer, now they say
there is nothing wrong with the car. I took it to another dealer and
was also told it was the fuel pump.
Please all of you out there,can you hear your fuel pump above your
engine noise during idling? also, the noise was not there when I bought
the car.

#1064 of 4276 Lemon Law by dkrab

Jan 28, 2002 (9:00 pm)

Shovey0, you need to get as much information as you can about the lemon law in your state. It varies from state to state, but most have provisions for number of repair attempts and percentage of time your dealer had the vehicle compared to total time of ownership. Your state govt. should have a website for lemon law information. DOCUMENT EVERYTHING, KEEP ALL RECIEPTS. It wouldn't be a bad idea to write conversation details down right in front of the service manager, while your talking to him. He'll get the point. Not to get ugly, but just to let them know you are aware of the lemon laws, just in case you need to pursue that avenue. Also, sounds like the lawyer you spoke too just wasn't really interested in a lemon law case. I guess they don't pay much. Good luck.

#1065 of 4276 by emale

Jan 29, 2002 (2:55 am)

mc17,
 
does is sound like a high pitched noise/whine? if so, that is pretty common and i wouldn't worry too much about it, unless it is really loud. both of my dad's chryco minis had a high pitch wine emanating from the fuel pump...and neither of those pumps ever failed.

#1066 of 4276 Seeking advice with 97 Voyager by jpmack2

Jan 29, 2002 (10:59 am)

I have a 1997 Plymonth Voyager Minivan that has the following problems: 1. Does not shift easily into second gear (automatic trans 3.0 engine)2. the gas sensor and the air bag sensor randomly go on and off (no real pattern) 3. power steering is gone (the power steering unit was replaced under warranty about 2 1/2 years ago). Car is no longer under factory warranty. The vehicle is leased with expiration due in mid-March, 2002. Current mileage is 48,200k; no body damage or dings. Questions: Will the manufacturer replace the power steering unit again as it is obviously a problem on this vehicle? Should I purchase vehicle ($5,000 offer from lease company)? What could be my transmission issue? Finally do I need to make all these repairs before returning the vehicle

#1067 of 4276 jpmack2: I would not purchase a problem vehicle from lease company by carleton1

Jan 29, 2002 (11:41 am)

Since the power steering unit was replaced under warranty 2-1/2 years ago, it is obvious that your van has a defect that causes the unit to fail.
    Based on what you wrote, I think you got a bad Voyager. A bad vehicle (often called a lemon) will continue to have the same problem and develop new problems whereas a good vehicle does not develop any problems.
    Many friends own DC minivans and do NOT have problems such as you had nor have they had transmission problems.
    I recommend you walk away from the 97 Voyager at the end of the lease.

#1068 of 4276 flickering lights/chime/doors locking-unlocking!! by jodar96

Jan 30, 2002 (2:15 pm)

Our 97 Dodge GC Caravan with 93K miles started having the problem this morning. Any idea what might be the problem? My wife drives the van, and I can't wait till I get home and see it for myself. She was saying that the light flicker, and the door ajar chime come on, and doors lock and lock!!!!!!!
 
I thought maybe the light flickering has some thing to do with the voltage regulator that is probably built into the alternator.
 
Has anyone seen this before?

#1069 of 4276 by emale

Jan 30, 2002 (5:30 pm)

could be the body control module. i know these can occasionally go hay-wire...

#1070 of 4276 2001 Grand Caravan Power Doors Don't work by jacko

Jan 31, 2002 (11:06 am)

I have similar problem that shovey0 with power sliding doors, seems like the buttons on side panels don't work all the time, you have to use the overhead console or remote to close/open the sliding doors. Dealer replaced switch but that's not it, did not go back yet to have them dig deeper, just curious if anyone out there has experienced this and knows the solution.
Besides that, it's a great van, we have 8,000 miles on it and enjoy driving it. Wife wanted an Odyssey, but it could not match the style and equipment offered in Grand Caravan.

Messages Page 107 of 428

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