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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 311 of 428

#3100 of 4276 Re: 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan brake problems [frankiecrabs] by tbyfield

Aug 03, 2005 (8:26 am)

Replying to: frankiecrabs (Jul 05, 2005 2:28 am)
We, too, have the same problem. Our 2003 Dodge Caravan has had three sets of brakes within the last two years, the lastest being replaced in July 05. About 50% of the time when braking, we hear the loud grinding noise. It sounds like there are no pads at all. It's going back in the shop today to be looked at. The grinding is so loud that heads turn. Does anyone have suggestions?

#3101 of 4276 Re: Rear wiper and washer [hayneldan] by gino45

Aug 03, 2005 (3:26 pm)

Replying to: hayneldan (Aug 02, 2005 1:01 pm)
I checked the fuses and the relay and they seem to be OK. Dealer mentioned that it could be the body control module. Has anyone had to replace their module due to a rear wiper not functioning? I am trying to avoid changing this part due to the expense ($500).

#3102 of 4276 Re: 1997 Grand Caravan no power to instrument panel and gauges [lonallen] by plano_texas

Aug 03, 2005 (6:49 pm)

Replying to: lonallen (Aug 01, 2005 4:23 am)
Well.... yes and no.
 
It turned out that the used BCM came from a caravan that was equipped with an alarm system (mine does not have an alarm). Although the original problem appeared to be fixed, the system was completely confused by the different BCM firmware. The dealer installed the correctly programmed new BCM, and the problem is gone.
 
Lessons:
1. My mechanic tells me that other mechanics have reported the exact same problem on Caravans, Voyagers, and Town & Country vans. Chrysler knows there is a flaw on these vans but refuses to acknowledge it.
 
2. Be very careful when replacing Caravan parts with parts from other used vehicles.
 
3. The BCM contains the odometer mileage memory.
 
4. Not all BCMs are identical. Replacing a BCM with an unidentical unit will cause lots of problems.
 
Best of Luck!

#3103 of 4276 Re: Caravan key won't turn in ignition? [hershberger] by plano_texas

Aug 03, 2005 (6:55 pm)

Replying to: hershberger (Jul 26, 2005 5:00 pm)
My 1998 Caravan had the same problem when it was less than 6 months old. At first we could manage to start the van by turning the steering wheel and working the key in/out. Eventually, one day, it just would not turn. The dealer had to send a tow truck to pick up the van, and the lock assembly was replaced (while the van was still under warranty).
 
This van has been nothing but trouble from day one.

#3104 of 4276 Re: leak? [sam55] by happyface

Aug 04, 2005 (10:47 am)

Replying to: sam55 (Jul 26, 2005 3:19 pm)
I've got 96 with 151K miles. I had a leak like you described and some stop leak fixed it. Yours probably just needs a new radiator like mine. Any little clogging throws off cooling....Basically the radiator size is perfectly matched to the van and runs at 100% capacity when it's new. Radiator.com will find a shop in your area. They quoted me $475 for part and labor ($189 parts). I found a local guy who would charge me $120 labor. Good luck.
 
If you are keeping the van for a few years replace radiator. If not, use stop leak.

#3105 of 4276 Re: leak? [happyface] by badgerfan

Aug 04, 2005 (12:35 pm)

Replying to: happyface (Aug 04, 2005 10:47 am)
Sam55 may need a new radiator, but no way can you state that any radiator is sized "perfectly matched" to the van and runs at 100% capacity when new.
 
All cooling systems better be well oversized to take into account some worst case situations, like idling in the desert with the AC on and 115 degree F ambient conditions! Under all other operating conditions, this radiator would be considered oversized.
 
A partially clogged radiator may reduce cooling capacity, but unless you are under the most extreme conditions, it will not show up as inadequate.
 
Sam55 may have a pinhole leak that only leaks under pressure, and if it is at the top of the system, may only be spewing steam, thus no puddle on the ground. Any good shop will pressure test the cooling system and should be able to diagnose the problem.
 
It also could be something like the plastic overflow tank has a leak, or worse, a the headgasket problem allowing coolant to get into the oil or into a cylinder, but then you would likely have some other serious issues going on.

#3106 of 4276 Oversized cooling systems by shipo

Aug 04, 2005 (1:32 pm)

My personal cooling system was horribly over capacity for the first half (outbound leg) of one particular trip, and horribly under capacity for the return leg. This trip dates back to when ATMs were not universal (1990). A few days before this fateful trip I had pulled into the Mammoth Lakes, California Goodyear tire store needing brakes (trust me, the Sierra Nevada’s are not a place to drive a car without good brakes), and for some reason they would only do the job for cash and none of the ATMs in town were on the network that supported my ATM card. Fortunately there was a bank in Bishop (about 45 miles away) that would honor my card and since it was a beautiful August day, I hopped on my bike and rode down (literally) to Bishop. On the way down I actually coasted at a minimum speed of 55 mph for over 20 minutes, and even though it was August, I got rather cold.
 
Once there, I got my money, consumed a half of a bottle of water and headed back up toward Mammoth Lakes. For those of you who don’t know the area, Bishop sits at something just a little over 4,000’ above sea level, and Sherwin Summit (the nominal half way point) is something over 7,000’, with my destination being a couple thousand feet above that. I was half way up the climb to Sherwin Summit and realized that I was, A) HOT, B) nearly out of water, and C) not going to make it to the townlet of Tom’s Place (just past the summit) without a considerable infusion of water. Just about that moment, a large motor home (with what can only be described as an enormous radiator) pulled off the road a few hundred yards up the road to cool off its engine. I quickly rode up to its side door, knocked and asked for some water. While talking to the couple who were vacationing from the mid-west I drank an entire gallon of water.
 
My thirst sated, I continued up to Tom’s Place where I stopped again, bought a quart of milk, two quarts of water, an ice-cream cone and a beer, all of which I happily consumed on the spot.
 
As for our two Caravans, the cooling system proved to be insufficient only once, and that was climbing a very steep, narrow, winding road up a mountain in 100 degree weather with the A/C blasting.
 
Best Regards,
Shipo

#3107 of 4276 Re: A/C issues [tinglejr] by bogie5

Aug 04, 2005 (2:54 pm)

Replying to: tinglejr (Jul 01, 2005 1:12 pm)
I have a 01 caravan SE with the same problem. The mechanics found that the flaps that are operated by a motor are warped where they hinge or secure. This is in the climate control box/heater core box. sure enough it was warped, you could see about a quarter inch difference and since there is a heater core behind those, the loose fit of the flaps let hot air in on the drivers side and partially on pass. If and I mean IF they are right I will post again, the part came in today and being installed in the morning. Heres the catch, 7 hrs to take apart, 8 hrs to put back. the part is about 250.00 but with shop labor will run about 1400.00 if they get it right the first time.

#3108 of 4276 98 grand Voyager. some kind of alarm goes on when stopped. by paredesg

Aug 05, 2005 (6:51 am)

My mom is having problems with her minivan. Whenever she stops, some kind of alarm starts to make noise, and immediately stop once she takes her foot of the gas. I don;'t think she has an alarm on the car, so we have no clue what the problem could be. If anyone can help, please do.

Messages Page 311 of 428

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