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Dodge Caravan Repair Questions and Answers

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Question: 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan mileage: 40,000.  I am impressed with your site. It seems like I have to keep getting the brakes replaced in this van. Most of my driving is around town, stop and go type of driving, but I was told at one time that I am a conservative braker. It is getting expensive!

Answer: You might try an after market brake pad to see if you get more mileage out of a set of brakes.

Question: 1999 Dodge Caravan. Power steering seems to blow out power steering fluid somewhere underneath. But, after cleaning it up, I put it up in the air, topped it off and ran the engine and had a helper turn the wheels back and forth. No fluid leak, stayed OK for two weeks and it did it again. Pressure relief valve?

Answer: The mysterious power steering leak can be caused by turning the steering wheel with the engine off. This will pump the power steering fluid into the reservoir overfilling it. Another possibility is that the bushings in the power steering rack are worn and, under the right conditions, will allow the rack to move excessively in the housing which would cause the leak. You can verify this by checking the inside of the dust boots on the steering rack.

Question: 1996 Dodge Caravan mileage: 55,000. The power windows on my Caravan don't work. The owner's manual states that the fuse for the power windows is a resetting fuse "serviceable only by an authorized dealer." How do I reset the fuse? I don't want the hassle of a service visit!

Answer: The resetting fuse that you refer to is the body control module (BCM). It has to be reset with the proper scanning tool, the OBDII.

Question: 1992 Dodge Caravan mileage: 78,000. Only after highway speeds, then when coming into traffic and creeping along at slow speeds I notice the feeling of the vehicle pulling, then relax, pulling, then relax, while all this time I keep the accelerator steady. It's like having out-of-round wheels, only from front to back instead of up and down. Is there an explanation for this?

Answer: We believe that the brake rotors and or drums are heating up when you drive at highway speeds. The heating causes them to warp slightly resulting in an intermittent brake drag, which in turn gives you the sensation of having wheels out-of-round.

Question: 1996 Dodge Caravan mileage: 55,000.  I'm getting conflicting information. The Gates replacement belt web page and several messages on various bulletin boards say the six cylinder, 3.0 liter Dodge Caravan engine is a non-interference engine while several other postings and the Alldata repair manual say that it is an interference engine. I lost my timing belt while driving about 60 mph and tried to start the vehicle several times before I realized what had happened. The van is a 1987 with 160,000 miles on the original engine (as far as I know).  I don't want to put a lot of money into repairing it. What are the chances the valves are OK?

Answer: Our sources identify your engine as a non-interference type. However, we have found that occasionally the valves still get bent when the timing belt brakes. This is normally caused by the engine over-revving when the belt brakes. In order to determine if the valves are bent, put a timing belt on and do a compression check.

Question: 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan mileage: 130,000.  I am having a problem with a wheel shimmy in the front passenger side. It only seems to happen when first starting to accelerate and is more pronounced on right hand turns. It seems to go away at speeds above 20-25 Mph. I have had it checked by my mechanic, he replaced the entire axle on the passenger side, 2 struts,2 strut mounts, a motor mount and did an alignment and this did not solve the problem. If you could send me in the right direction, I would appreciate it!

Answer: When replacing axle assemblies, both left and right axles should be replaced. Also, check the tires for cord separation.

Question: 1995 Dodge Caravan mileage: 120,000. I accidentally poured some motor oil into the brake fluid reservoir. What are the symptoms? What should I do to correct it?

Answer: Assuming you have not driven the car and used the brakes. Replacing the master cylinder should correct any damage that may have occurred. If you have driven the car and used the brakes, then the motor oil is throughout the entire system. The only safe thing to do under these circumstances is to replace all rubber components in the brake system (brake hoses and cylinder seals).

Question: 1999 Dodge Caravan mileage: 96,000. While driving, the front end starts 'jumping' (or sounds) like an unbalanced wheel. This happens occasionally at highway speeds. I must lightly touch the brake when on 'cruise control' or let off the throttle before it will stop. Seems to be coming from the passenger side mainly. The steering wheel does not move a lot. It seems that it only does this when under power. Any ideas?

Answer: From what you describe, the CV joints on the drive axles are starting to fail. Replacing them will should fix your problem.

Question: 1998 Dodge Caravan mileage: 100,000. This Caravan has a drive train. A condition I'll call "halts", that is, while traveling along from 15-70 mph the van will act as if I hit the brake. With no detectable rpm loss, no engine rev, just a “whoa there” mild jerk and then on it goes. Feels as if a CV axle is slipping out of gear-mesh or torque converter is losing revolution/velocity and then instantly catches up. Feels dangerous and is quite annoying, and two good mechanics can't zero in on solution.

Answer: Your van may have problems with the drive axles. The CV joints may be failing and binding up.

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Question: 1996 Dodge Caravan mileage: 135,000. My transmission keeps going out on my minivan. I have an automatic transmission in the van and at 135,000 miles it will need it's 4th transmission. The first one was replaced by the dealer at 35,000 miles then again at about 95,000 and now this one lost the overdrive and 4th gear at 135,000 miles. First, aren't transmissions supposed to last more than 40,000 miles and what could be happening to cause such a regular problem? My mechanic says that if you get 60,000 - 70,000 out of one of these transmissions that is considered good. I would think since it is mostly (90%) driven on the highway (not stop and go) that this shouldn't happen. Please shed some light on this problem and give me an estimate of what it would cost to repair a transmission on a Dodge minivan.

Answer: The cost to rebuild your transmission should run about $1700.00 to $2300.00 depending on the amount of damaged parts. Heat build-up shortens the life of a transmission. Try adding an extra transmission cooler and using synthetic fluid.

Question: 1998 Dodge Caravan mileage: 80,000. The engine won�t idle and misses bad; tried cleaning throttle body and injectors and replaced O2 sensor  and it ran good for about fifteen minutes then died and started doing same thing again.  Please help!

Answer: Your car may be ready for a major tune-up including spark plugs, plug wires, distributor cap, rotor, fuel filter and air filter. Also, perform a fuel pump pressure test. Clean fuel injection system including throttle bore, idle speed control motor and passages. If problem still exists, scan computer for trouble codes.

Question: 1995 Dodge Caravan mileage: 70,000.  I'm having problems with my "Check engine" light coming on and there is sometimes a sudden lose of power, hesitation and surging. I've changed various components such as; major tune-ups, replaced fuel filters and PCV's to name are few, as well as, taken it to the dealership for diagnostic check and no problems were found. I'm sure there is a very simple explanation, I'm at the end of my rope and money trying to solve this problem.

Answer: The “check engine” light will “light” when there is a malfunction in the engine management system. The fault code is then stored in the computer. The computer must be scanned to retrieve these stored faults to pinpoint the malfunctioning component. Because the check engine light indicates something is wrong, a trip to you neighborhood automobile service center sooner rather than later is recommended. If no codes were found the problem may be the fuel pump or/and the fuel pressure regulator.

Question: 1993 Dodge Grand Caravan mileage: 72,000.  I read the questions for a 1994 dodge caravan. My check engine light also comes on. What I would like to know is, if you can be more specific in your opinion on what are the possibilities that can make your engine light come on. I have taken my car to mechanics and they have told me everything that is wrong with my car that really isn't. It's hard to find an honest mechanic. I want to make sure I know what they are talking about and that they are not lying to me.

Answer: There are a number of things that can malfunction and cause the check engine light to come on. First ask your mechanic what the trouble codes where. Once you have the codes you can check to see which system is showing a malfunction. Fortunately there are code readers available that you can use yourself to check the trouble codes that set off the check engine light.

Question: 1995 Dodge Caravan cylinder mileage: 120,000. I installed a new radiator and thermostat in my van. It has been overheating and it is still overheating, I cannot figure out why. Could it possibly be the water pump? There are no leaks visible either.

Answer: There is a remote chance the overheating may be caused by the water pump. We have seen the pump blades corroded to where there is nothing left. Before you change water pumps, check for a “blown” head gasket.

Question: 1998 Dodge Caravan mileage: 94,000.  I had trouble getting my van started today. I had it jumped and it drove fine, but the speedometer or tachometer are now not working. When I turned the engine off it would not restart. The battery is in good shape. Is this my alternator, voltage regulator or something more costly?

Answer: Have battery load tested. Check alternator output and check for voltage drain with the key off.

Question: 1999 Dodge Caravan mileage: 120,000.  For over six months I have been hearing a humming noise inside the van when the is engine running, from outside the vehicle I cannot hear this noise. The intensity of the noise is increasing with time. I suspect it is generated by the fuel pump in the gas tank. If I put my hand on the gas tank while the engine is running, I can feel a distinct vibration. Is that an indication that the fuel pump is dying or can this be cause by a loose connection?

Answer: If the fuel pump has not been replaced, it would be a good idea to do it now before it fails.

Question: 1994 Dodge Caravan mileage: 138,000.  My engine seems to run fine, but recently when I'm on the highway, my check engine light comes on. So not knowing what to do, I’ll shut the engine off and restarted it and it goes out for most of the day. I had the van tuned up just two days ago and its still happening. Please help.

Answer: The “check engine” light will “light” when there is a malfunction in the engine management system. The fault code is then stored in the computer. The computer must be scanned to retrieve these stored faults to pinpoint the malfunctioning component. Because the check engine light indicates something is wrong, a trip to you neighborhood automobile service center sooner rather than later is recommended.

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