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Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan 2005+

1422 messages,  Last post on Sep 25, 2009 at 8:55 AM

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


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#1069 of 1422
Re: Vibration in 2005 Grand Caravan SE [dennisctc] by rrc1
Jan 25, 2006 (2:45 pm)
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Replying to: dennisctc (Jan 25, 2006 12:16 pm)

I didn't test drive the van before I bought it. The weather was very bad that week and I didn't see the point. I had a 2002 Caravan on lease for four years and owned 1996 Caravan prior to that and never had a problem with vibration or ride in those vans. As this is a brand new vehicle, I didn't think it was necessary to test drive it--my mistake. If it had been a used van, I would have taken it for a test drive first. Also I had driven a Grand Caravan for 1 week as a rental when my leased Van was in for repairs and never noticed any thing similar to what is happening with this van.
 
I noticed some vibration when I first drove it home from the dealership, but thought is was due to the poor road and weather conditions. When I drove the van to work the following Monday on the highway, I really noticed the vibration that comes through the steering wheel, seat and brake pedal. It is like a pulsing sensation that runs up your arms and leg and across your back and chest. It is really strange and difficult to describe. I have never been in a vehicle that has done this before. It seems to get more intense with speed and more annoying the longer you are in the van. The man from servicing said it was just the harmonics of the vehicle. I have never had a car make me feel sick before (either as the driver or the passenger)and I have been driving for 30 years.
  
I found four other posts on line from 2005 Grand Caravan owners complaining of vibrations described as follows:
 
"When you accelerate it feels like you are on driving on gravel"
 
"there is a troubling vibration (it can be heard & felt when trany is in overdrive going 45-50 mph"
 
"The engine produces vibration that can be felt in the gas pedal"
 
"I got a bad vibration in the steering wheel/seat that is worse when idling"
 
These complaints sound like they may be the same thing I'm experiencing.
 
I'm going to ask the dealership to let me test drive another van of the same model to see if there is any difference. I don't think I'm imagining this problem, but I have no idea what could be causing it. I don't think it is the tires or steering as the vibration can be felt when the car is not moving. I'm hoping it goes away because otherwise I really like the van, but I don't want to drive a vehicle that makes me feel nauseated all the time.
#1070 of 1422
2006 GC SXT - Bins Bins Bins... by gctony
Jan 27, 2006 (12:26 pm)
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Hi
Has anyone purchased the 2nd row bins for Stow-n-Go?
Comments? Seems like alot of $$ for them, the carpeted factory area seems fine..?
Also has anyone purchased additonal overhead bins for the rail system? I think 2 more would be cool...
 
Also has anyone heard of a snake light for the overhead rails??
 
Overall this mini van rocks and is most excellent! Like others have said, should have gotten one long ago...I still dont understand the 'stigma' with them, people snicker when I tell them about it. But it is FAR more versatile than any of their vehicles.
Stow-n-Go Rocks!
 
Tony
#1071 of 1422
Re: 2006 GC SXT - Bins Bins Bins... [gctony] by dennisctc
Jan 27, 2006 (12:51 pm)
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Replying to: gctony (Jan 27, 2006 12:26 pm)

Has anyone purchased the 2nd row bins for Stow-n-Go?
Comments? Seems like alot of $$ for them, the carpeted factory area seems fine..?

 
I purchased the 3rd row bin and folding table. Like the bin but not impressed with the table/lid. I used the table a few times camping for my 2 burner coleman propane stove. The stove isn't heavy at all, and the table sags?
 
This is my 3rd Minivan, I love em and don't care with others think If someone has a problem with you driving a minivan, it's their problem, not your's
#1072 of 1422
Re: 2006 GC SXT - Bins Bins Bins... [dennisctc] by gctony
Jan 27, 2006 (2:47 pm)
Reply

Replying to: dennisctc (Jan 27, 2006 12:51 pm)

Thanks for the table/bin info..The table does look pretty flimsy...But what exactly do you like bout the third row bin? Just easy to remove and hose out?
 
I am digging on the overhead bins, I think I found out they are $140 EACH though the guy is not sure...Wouldnt that be rich?
http://www.leeparts.com/item-1-59-326-427.html
He thought it was one bin but has to dig ...
Tony
#1073 of 1422
Re: Vibration in 2005 Grand Caravan SE [rrc1] by genetuck
Jan 27, 2006 (9:58 pm)
Reply

Replying to: rrc1 (Jan 25, 2006 2:45 pm)

Maybe the harmonic balancer wasn't installed correctly on the engine. The dealership mechanics should be able to detect any unusual vibration very quickly. Let us know what you discover with the test drive. I can feel some vibration in my SXT steering wheel, but it is no problem. According to the following statement from DBC, they do a lot to reduce vibration and noise:
"State-of-the-art technology is used to ensure quietness in all seating positions for 2005 Chrysler and Dodge minivans. By combining computer simulation techniques with vehicle testing in Chrysler's state-of-the-art Auburn Hills wind tunnel and on environmental four-post shakers, Chrysler Group engineers were able to create the quietest minivans in the marketplace. Some changes for 2005 models include:
 
    * Robotically applied liquid spray dampener technology to prevent noise from entering the passenger compartment. The damping treatment is applied to the floor, toe-pan, cowl, and roof panel.
    * Expandable polyurethane foam is injected into cavities at the base of the cowl plenum, liftgate opening, and center and rear door pillars to cut noise.
    * The new underbody structure is designed for high bending and torsional stiffness, which helps isolate suspension vibration and chatter from passenger compartment.
    * A fluid-filled hydro engine mount significantly reduces engine vibration into the front rails to help isolate engine vibration.
    * Suspension control arms utilize tuned hydro bushings to further reduce suspension vibration."
#1074 of 1422
Re: Vibration in 2005 Grand Caravan SE [genetuck] by rrc1
Jan 29, 2006 (4:39 pm)
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Replying to: genetuck (Jan 27, 2006 9:58 pm)

After the second day I drove my new van and really noticed the vibration, I started looking up information on vibration in Dodge Grand Caravans and read about all the engineering that had gone into the new models to reduce noise and vibration. I also read reviews where people commented on the smooth ride they had with the same model of van. This makes the annoying vibration in my 2005 Grand Caravan even more bizzare. Something is definitely not right. I'm getting to the point that I don't want to drive it at all. One thing I have noticed recently is the vibration stops when you put it in park.
 
This is much more than the normal engine vibration you feel in a van, I have never felt uncomfortable driving before. The van also seem to wobble when going over small bumps in the pavement, adding to the uncomfortable ride. It may be because I am feeling ill from the vibration that I'm noticing any other movement more intensely. I won't have time to get back to the dealership before next friday, but I'll let you know what I find out from driving another similar vehicle.
 
I just find it annoying to have to keep going back to the dealership after buying a brand new vehicle. This has been a very disappointing experience.
#1075 of 1422
Re: Vibration in 2005 Grand Caravan SE [rrc1] by dennisctc
Jan 30, 2006 (6:57 am)
Reply

Replying to: rrc1 (Jan 29, 2006 4:39 pm)

I just find it annoying to have to keep going back to the dealership after buying a brand new vehicle. This has been a very disappointing experience.
 
I hope you're documenting all this(conversations with dealer/reps, work records etc.), it sounds like you might need it if it comes to a lemon law situation.
#1076 of 1422
2005 Grand Caravan 3.8L Oil Consumption by frogger123
Jan 31, 2006 (10:07 am)
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I purchased a 2005 GC 3.8L used with 15K on it last summer. Currently have 24K on it with mostly highway miles. Bought at dealer & service records show previous owner changed around every 3000 miles. I am using Castrol 5W30 and the engine is using a quart of oil every 3000 miles. Is this is the normal range? Previous caravans with the 3.0L engine I drove at work didn't use this much oil even after 75K miles. Is anybody with a new GC using this much oil?
#1077 of 1422
Re: 2005 Grand Caravan 3.8L Oil Consumption [frogger123] by shipo
Jan 31, 2006 (10:26 am)
Reply

Replying to: frogger123 (Jan 31, 2006 10:07 am)

Three comments:
 
1) A car (ANY car) that uses a quart every 3,000 miles is just fine. Typically manufacturers have some arbritrary point (like 1 quart per 1,000 miles) where the car is deemed to be using too much oil.
 
2) We have two DGCs, both with the 3.8, one with 106,000 miles, the other with 57,000 miles, and neither use a full quart between 7,500 mile oil changes.
 
3) If an engine doesn't use some oil, that to me is more of a worry than if it uses a little too much. The fact is that the oil that lubricates things like valve guides is not recoverable, and as such, if no oil is being consumed, then the valve guides aren't being lubricated.
 
Best Regards,
Shipo
#1078 of 1422
Re: 2005 Grand Caravan 3.8L Oil Consumption [shipo] by frogger123
Jan 31, 2006 (1:46 pm)
Reply

Replying to: shipo (Jan 31, 2006 10:26 am)

Thanks for the info Shipo! However, I'm more used to the kind of oil consumption you're seeing on your higher mileage DGC's! I very much agree that using some oil especially through valve guides is better than none. Chevy designed the 350 to use oil through the valve guides for lubrication. Someone pointed out to me that using a quart in 3K may foul the Cat-converter. I wouldn't think so. What do you think?

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