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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 121 of 428

#1201 of 4276 Welcome, bharrell by 4aodge

Mar 18, 2002 (12:14 am)

The 4 speed automatic transmissions that Chrysler uses in their current cars and minivans is a much better product than the one that was used just 3-4 years ago and every year the rate of transmission failures in DC minivans before 30k miles drops. We are on our second DC minivan and have never had any serious problems with them. Our current ride is a 2000 Town & Country LX with the 3.3 V6 engine and with 40k miles it runs very nicely. The transmission in our van is so smooth that if it wasn't for the tachometer you wouldn't be able to tell it was shifting.
 
Good luck on the purchase of your new van!
 
-Adam

#1202 of 4276 DC transmissions by pluto5

Mar 18, 2002 (6:07 pm)

I've driven two 02 DC/GC Sports but haven't ordered one yet; will wait for DC to spring for Gen 4 buckles for all the seating positions, not just the front two. As far as the transmissions are concerned, they seem much smoother than our '94 GC. With the 7/100 powertrain warranty at no cost, I wouldn't worry a lot about the trans. (Ody trans costs more than twice as much to replace, and their extended warranty is about $900 discounted).

#1203 of 4276 2000 Plymouth Voyager by carlton_b

Mar 20, 2002 (10:51 am)

I am considering buying a used minivan and came across a 2000 Plymouth Voyager with 53,000 miles. Could anyone give me some advice on this model. Consumer Reports gives it excellent ratings on most everything, but says reliability is spotty. This van has the 3.3 v6. Any and all info will be helpful...............Thanks Carlton

#1204 of 4276 1998 Voyager Leaking Head Gasket and 4-Cyl Misfires? by pmacey

Mar 20, 2002 (2:20 pm)

In December, had check engine light on...scanner showed #2 cylinder misfiring, replaced plug wires with ACCEL(L) wire and problem went away. (spark plugs had all of 9k miles on them)
 
This week, another MIL, this time #3 cyclinder misfiring. Had dealer replace all plugs as there was heavy carbon buildup...they also said the head gasket was leaking and was a 8HR job and about $110 parts kit to replace.
 
Want to verify that a leaky head gasket will cause the plugs to foul up and/or promote heavy carbon buildup?
 
BTW, they wanted to replace my new wires saying they weren't 'Mopar' wires, didn't want to hear that the wires meet and/or exceed OEM specifications...I said no way...would be surprised if ACCEL(L) makes wires for Mopar?
 
Also, is it normal to do a $80 compression/leak test based on a MIL saying cylinder misfire?
 
Thanks in advance.

#1205 of 4276 Somebody please help!! by hannah10

Mar 20, 2002 (3:09 pm)

As of today I have spent over $10k in repairs to my 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan SE. It has 64,000 miles. It has never been off road or in any kind of mishap or accident. Almost everything has had to be replaced or repaired, including the gas tank -all by one of the Washington DC areas largest dealerships. Do I have any recourse to anyone--is there a Dodge representative that I can contact? I need someone to at least tell me that this is not normal!

#1206 of 4276 2002 Grand Caravan cold air flow-thru by phamilton1

Mar 20, 2002 (7:55 pm)

I've just purchased a 2002 and have experienced a problem with cold (winter) air flowing
in/around the passenger's feet...it seems to come in under the dash where the glove-box is located. It's so cold that the vehicle is almost un-useable below 30F because the passenger
gets too cold. The dealer has looked at it 3 times and claims there's nothing they can do about it. Has anyone had a similar problem? btw this is my 4th Chrysler van...87,92,97,02 and I've had pretty good luck with them and NO power-train problems...

#1207 of 4276 Problem ideas by royallen

Mar 20, 2002 (10:10 pm)

Paul: My non-pro thought is that it is suspect to attribute plug problems of all 4 cylinders to a head gasket leak that one would expect to affect one or two cylinders identified by the compression check. Carbon on all plugs should be explained by a source problem common to all cylinders like obstructed air flow or an ignition ploblem common to all 4 cylinders. On the other hand, a leaking head gasket needs to be replaced.
   James: Your $10,000 expenses must be some sort of extreme example of a lemon. Consumer Rprts has consistently shown the '96 to be somewhat more problematic than the '95 but I have had a '95 for 3 years and now have 80,000 miles and have had one unexpected breakdown with a water pump failure. I have replaced a battery that failed after a normal life and same for front brake pads. I am going to risk being guilty of blaming a victim and say that going to the "biggest" dealer is more likely to result in big bills rather than small ones. When I need car repair, I go to a two man shop, owner and assistant, where I get personalized problem analysis from a knowledgeable mechanic who cares about my problem. I recommend that the cord to the dealer be cut.
   Pete: I would get a friends recommendation of a good body shop to trouble-shoot your leak.

#1208 of 4276 2002 Grand Caravan cold air flow-thru by dmathews3

Mar 21, 2002 (4:21 am)

I would try a different dealer. All the vents are run off vacumim and it sounds like either one of the doors aren't closing for one reason or another. Does sound like a job that could require complete removeal of the dash before it's over in order to properly find and replace the problem. As long as there are no holes or seams in that area that is letting cold air in through the body itself. Have you had it long enough to drive in a very heavy downpour where it would would have let water leak in? Just another thought. Unless he can prove all 02's do it than it can be fixed, one way or another.

#1209 of 4276 reply royallen by pluto5

Mar 21, 2002 (6:33 pm)

Right on, the sooner you cut lose from the dealer the happier and wealthier you will be IMO. Example: $225 for front brake pad replacement by dealer in my area compared to about half that by independent using Raybestos pads. Even worse, many dealers have their own maintenance recommendations which are over and above what the manufacturer (that they ostensibly represent) recommends. Biggest rip IMO is the infamous engine flush. Not far behind is fuel injector service. One DC dealer in my area not only recommends unnecessary services but also recommends more frequent service intervals for the factory recommended services.

#1210 of 4276 reply royallen by pluto5 by dmathews3

Mar 21, 2002 (7:08 pm)

Most dealers are out to make as much as they can at our expense. In the past couple years GM has gotten their oil life senser working very accuracely and now people are finding out that they don't need an oil change every 3000 miles as they were lead to believe. The senser with the computer computes speed, distance, temps, and someother things and counts down from 100% to 0. The dealers are crying major tears. Hopefully someday all cars will have it.

Messages Page 121 of 428

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