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4276 messages,  Last post on Oct 23, 2006 at 1:11 AM

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#4207 of 4276 1996 Plymouth Voyager AC Compressor by ally10169 Sep 11, 2006 (1:06 pm)
My van went in to our regular shop for an oil change today and to check on a squeaky sound we were getting when pressing the gas. I just spoke with them and they said I had an oil leak (news to me) so they put in some dye and want me to come back in a few days to check on it. They said I need a new water pump and an AC compressor. My question, do I need an AC compressor? I did not have AC at all this summer and lived without it. If it is something that I can drive the car without I would rather not replace it. The van has 138,000 miles and we hope to get something new next summer.   Thanks for any insight.   Allyson Replies to this message: badgerfan (Sep 12, 2006 5:10 am) stashshel (Sep 18, 2006 9:52 am) badgerfan (Sep 18, 2006 10:28 am) mikew58 (Sep 18, 2006 1:36 pm) and 1 more... 97xpresso (Sep 21, 2006 1:13 am) stashshel (Sep 24, 2006 2:11 pm) mrbizness1 (Sep 23, 2006 8:10 am) stashshel (Sep 24, 2006 2:14 pm)
#4208 of 4276 Looking At Buying Base Model Van by jpf Sep 11, 2006 (3:14 pm)
I am considering the purchase of a base Caravan with the 2.4 liter engine. I do not plan on carrying heavy loads. Any comments on the reliability of this engine would be appreciated. Replies to this message: 97xpresso (Sep 11, 2006 4:43 pm)
#4209 of 4276 Re: Looking At Buying Base Model Van [jpf] by 97xpresso Sep 11, 2006 (4:43 pm)
Replying to: jpf (Sep 11, 2006 3:14 pm) Unless there is a great difference in price, I would opt for the 3.3 V6 in the base model. The MPG is almost identical, and no timing belt to worry about.
#4210 of 4276 Re: 1996 Plymouth Voyager AC Compressor [ally10169] by badgerfan Sep 12, 2006 (5:10 am)
Replying to: ally10169 (Sep 11, 2006 1:06 pm) Yes, most of the time you can get by without a working AC compressor. The only time you could have problems as a result of a bad compressor is if the electric clutch or bearings in the compressor pulley drive system failed, then the serpentine belt might have issues as this pulley is rotating all the time the engine is running, whether the Air conditioner clutch is engaged or not.   The squeek during engine acceleration could possibly be a result of problems in the compressor clutch/bearings, however, as this could indicate a slipping serpentine belt. There can be multiple sources of serpentine belt squeel, however. I would get a second opinion about this before going to the expense of replacing your compressor, if you really can live without AC.
#4211 of 4276 Re: Oil Light comes on [wandafun] by saymama Sep 16, 2006 (6:25 am)
Replying to: wandafun (Jul 19, 2005 4:49 pm) i realize some time has passed since you posted this, but my van is doing the same thing, oil light with warning bell comes on when i brake. Can you please tell me what the solution to the problem is? thanks Replies to this message: shipo (Sep 16, 2006 6:39 am) saymama (Sep 16, 2006 7:37 am)
#4212 of 4276 Re: Oil Light comes on [saymama] by shipo Sep 16, 2006 (6:39 am)
Replying to: saymama (Sep 16, 2006 6:25 am) Check your dipstick, I suspect that you don't have enough oil in your engine. When you brake the oil sloshes forward inside the oil pan and uncovers the oil pickup allowing it to suck in air. When that happens you will have an instant oil light.   Best Regards, Shipo Replies to this message: saymama (Sep 16, 2006 7:37 am)
#4213 of 4276 Re: Oil Light comes on [shipo] by saymama Sep 16, 2006 (7:37 am)
Replying to: shipo (Sep 16, 2006 6:39 am) not only did I check the oil level, but i also brought it back in to the shop where I just had it changed and they checked it as well. Everything checks out fine. There is no leak. Somone suggested perhaps the oil sensor needs to be changed.
#4214 of 4276 Oil light coming on by jnovice Sep 16, 2006 (10:37 am)
I had the same problem. I tried many fixes, including changing the oil pickup, changing the oil viscosity, changing the connector that connected the sensor and changing the oil sensor. I changed the sensor twice and the second change, I changed the connector as well as the sensor. It worked the second time.
#4215 of 4276 Re: 1996 Plymouth Voyager AC Compressor [ally10169] by stashshel Sep 18, 2006 (9:52 am)
Replying to: ally10169 (Sep 11, 2006 1:06 pm) hi! from what my mechanic has explained to me is you will need to have this compressor replaced and reason being is that it controls your defroster. Mine is shot to and is being replaced. But since owning my car I've put thousands of dollars into it for repairs. my brake caliper on the passenger front is seizing. this is the 3rd time I've had this addressed. my van eats through brakes as it was explained to me that the rotors are too small for the van because it takes more force to stop the van. I've gotten brakes on this van about every 16 months. I've only owned it for 4 years. I will have it paid off by next september and trust you/me, I'm not getting another chrysler/dodge product. the only positive thing I can say is that I've never leaked oil. Replies to this message: badgerfan (Sep 18, 2006 10:28 am) mikew58 (Sep 18, 2006 1:36 pm) stashshel (Sep 24, 2006 2:07 pm) 97xpresso (Sep 21, 2006 1:13 am) stashshel (Sep 24, 2006 2:11 pm) mrbizness1 (Sep 23, 2006 8:10 am)
#4216 of 4276 Re: Has anyone had electrical problems?.... [mikezak] by stashshel Sep 18, 2006 (9:56 am)
Replying to: mikezak (Dec 23, 2000 8:32 pm) that's really odd. my odomitor/instrument panel (which is electric) totally went dead. I couldn't tell how fast I was going, nothing. I was told that there is a sensor that would need to be replaced and is rather expensive because of where it's located. Replies to this message: kolbe77 (Sep 23, 2006 4:26 pm) stashshel (Sep 24, 2006 1:40 pm) kolbe77 (Sep 25, 2006 12:50 pm) and 1 more... stashshel (Sep 25, 2006 4:58 pm)

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