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Town & Country/Grand Caravan Problem Codes

45 messages,  Last post on Jun 18, 2012 at 1:36 PM

You are in the Chrysler Town & Country/Dodge Grand Caravan Forum.

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

Messages Page 4 of 5

#26 of 45 2005 Grand Caravan Emission TestingProblem by yuthea

Nov 04, 2009 (9:16 am)

My 2005 Grand Caravan had engine light several months ago. On 7/12/09, the dealer replaced the Exhaust Gas Circulation Valve.The engine was cleared.
* On 9/04/09, 814 miles later, I took it to Emission testing, and it failed - "Test failed due to excessive OBD monitors not ready, return after the vehicle has been driven in accordance with the manufacturer drive cycle." The testing operator and the dealer told me to drive more, and I did.
* On 9/21/09, after 463 miles later, I took the van for the Emission Testing again. This time the testing was 'Aborted': "Test aborted due to excessive OBD monitors not ready, return after the vehicle has been driven in accordance to the manufacturer drive cycle." After talking with Dodge engineer, the dealer replaced anoth sensor - The Oxygen Sensor.
* On 10/22/09, after 466 miles later, I had the Emission Testing again. The test was aborted again. Due to the same 'Excessive ODB monitors not ready ....
* Then after checking the van, the dealer said the computer was defective. They ordered it and replaced it on 10/27/09. The dealer told me to drive for 50 miles and it should be fine.
* On 10/30/09, after 92 miles of driving, I took my van for the Emission testing. The test was aborted again due to the same "Excessive OBD monitors not ready, ..."
My big question is: What is wrong with my van? Right now I suspect that it might be something wrong with the Testing program itself.

#27 of 45 Re: 2005 Grand Caravan Emission TestingProblem [yuthea] by xwesx

Nov 04, 2009 (10:33 am)

Replying to: yuthea (Nov 04, 2009 9:16 am)
It might have to do with the type of driving you do. If you take short, low speed trips, there are several loops that will not complete. I have had a couple cars that post periodic trouble codes, so I keep my scanner with me and read/clear them as necessary. Many times, I have done this only 20-30 miles prior to an emissions test, and it went without hiccup. However, my trip to the test site involves mostly highway driving, which is a required part of the loop.
 
You should be able to get ahold of the procedure in your owner's manual or from the dealer. If you follow that and still no luck, maybe it is the test facility. Have you gone to the same one every time? If so, try a different one.

#28 of 45 Re: 2005 Grand Caravan Emission TestingProblem [xwesx] by yuthea

Nov 05, 2009 (10:48 am)

Replying to: xwesx (Nov 04, 2009 10:33 am)
Thanks very much for your comments.
I want to clarify that most of the mileage was on highway drives. My issue right now is that the dealer has no idea what is wrong. The dealer mechanics have contacted the Dodge co. several times, as I was told. To me, they all are just guessing. They have replaced two exhaust related sensors and a computer (maybe just a module?). Yesterday, I talked with the dealer again, and they said they have to talk to Dodge engineer again.
 
I also talked yesterday with a Connecticut DMV emission engineer on the phone. He said would call me and would see me at the testing station today. But so far, he has not called me yet.
 
Have you had any experience with testing stations that their softawre were not compatible to all kinds of cars.
 
Note: A few weeks ago, before the computer was replaced, a friend of mine used his tester (a $50-kind) to checked my van out after I had told him the issue. We found every thing was good, but a few days later I took the van to have the test again and it was aborted again.
 
I have spent more than 10 trips between the test facility and the dealer in two months. It was fortunate that I have just lost my job and had time for this headache.
 
Thanks again.

#29 of 45 Re: 2005 Grand Caravan Emission TestingProblem [yuthea] by xwesx

Nov 05, 2009 (11:13 am)

Replying to: yuthea (Nov 05, 2009 10:48 am)
I have never experienced compatibility issues with the testing computers. That said, I have only run three different vehicles through computer-interfaced emissions testing and all of them were late 90's models (OBD II).
 
Your 2005 model likely uses the OBD II CAN interface, but I still would not expect there to be compatibility issues. As I recommended before, taking the van to a different testing shop could help clear that as a possible source.
 
Also, your dealership should be able to use a laptop-based real-time scanner to monitor the vehicle while it is in use. If a circuit is failing to set as "ready," I would think a program like that could help pinpoint the source fairly well.

#30 of 45 Re: 2005 Grand Caravan Emission TestingProblem [xwesx] by yuthea

Nov 06, 2009 (9:37 am)

Replying to: xwesx (Nov 05, 2009 11:13 am)
This morning, I took my van to a Technical Center of the Connecticut State, and had my van retested. After I had explained and showed all the documents from the testing facility and dealer, the Technical Center retested my van. The test was PASSED. I asked what was the problem. The answer was "Some cars are very difficult to test."
 
When I got back home, I looked at the 'Vehicle Inspection Report'. They used PCTSI test type, instead of OBDII that the testing facility had used before.I do not understand the difference, but there is a comment at the bottom of the report:
 
 "This vehicle is not ready to determine the status of the pollution control system and the vehicle received an alternate emissions test. On the next inspetion cycle, this readiness failure may result ina reject of the vehicle."
 
This means that I'm not out of the hook yet!

#31 of 45 Re: 2005 Grand Caravan Emission TestingProblem [yuthea] by xwesx

Nov 06, 2009 (10:53 am)

Replying to: yuthea (Nov 06, 2009 9:37 am)
Sounds like they ended up passing it based on the tailpipe emissions.
 
It is odd that something is preventing it from being in "ready "status, yet you are getting no codes indicating a bad sensor or some other fail. Perhaps monitoring your fuel economy, etc., over the next year or so versus prior (if you did that at all) will help to determine the source.
 
At least you can keep driving it for the time being!

#32 of 45 Re: 2005 Grand Caravan Emission TestingProblem [xwesx] by roadrage921

Nov 16, 2009 (11:40 am)

Replying to: xwesx (Nov 05, 2009 11:13 am)
I am having a similar problem with a 99 caravan. Ready codes will set but once I cycle the key they will reset. I have had at least 3 tests and drive the vehicle with a scanner to monitor them. My frined had a similar problem on a liberty, they found the PCM was losing memory when key was off. the constant to the PCM was not working. I am in the process of getting a pin out to check if that is what is wrong with my van. My brother in law is a chrysler mechanic and he is stumped as well. We are checking the 12 volt to the pcm to make sure they are being provided. Don;t know if this will help but thought I would mention.

#33 of 45 Replacement of the Ambient Air Temperature Sensor by bilsabrey1950

Feb 26, 2010 (4:29 pm)

I have a 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan with a 3.8L engine. With the check engine light on, I had it diagnosed and it shows a code: P0073. Where do I find this part in my vehicle and how do I replace it with a new one?

#34 of 45 Re: Replacement of the Ambient Air Temperature Sensor [bilsabrey1950] by srs_49

Feb 27, 2010 (4:57 am)

Replying to: bilsabrey1950 (Feb 26, 2010 4:29 pm)
P0073 => Ambient Air Temperature Sensor Circuit High Input
 
I don't know where that is located on a late model 3.8L engine. I would guess it's somewhere along the intake air path, either before or after the air filter.

#35 of 45 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan - Ck Engine Light - Code P 0032 by wolfpack17

Mar 22, 2010 (5:16 pm)

Replying to: srs_49 (Feb 27, 2010 4:57 am)
Check engine light came on this morning. Checked code and it showed P 0032. Based upon previous posts, looks like this is an o2 sensor. Funny thing is that my wife said it seemed that the heater for the interior wasn't putting out alot of heat over the past several days, and she just didn't think to mention it. I checked the water level, and it was very low. Added water.......of course the check engine light is still on and I am pretty sure this had nothing to do with the water level. Anyway, we are leaving in 2 days for Florida with the kids and it is about an 800 mile drive down I-95. Should I be concerned with having troubles? I have had some emessions sensors that I have had to replace over time (van has 108,000 miles), and have been told to eventually replace it. I don't mind driving like this by myself, but it is different with the wife and kids. Any input is greatly appreciated.

Messages Page 4 of 5

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