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Dodge Caravan Repair Questions and Answers

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Question: 2002 Dodge Caravan mileage: 44,000.  I have already checked the Q & A archives and I think I know where this problem is leading, probably big $, but I'll ask anyway. Five months ago the check engine light was giving me a '46' fault code. The battery was being overcharged and was replaced. That seemed to have fixed the problem except that the oil pressure gauge wasn't working properly. It would register some pressure but always on the lower side of the gauge. I replaced the oil pressure switch (while the engine was cold) and took it out for a quick test and everything seemed to be working fine until the engine came up to temperature. The battery charge gauge went way up and the battery boiled over. The oil pressure gauge is still reading low pressure (with the new switch). I let the engine cool down and checked out the battery and topped it up (unsealed battery). Now, although the battery is not being overcharged (the charge gauge is slightly right of center) I'm still getting the "check engine" light, and a '46'-fault code. Is it the computer giving out the wrong signals causing the alternator to overcharge the battery? Can something as simple as a faulty oil pressure switch trigger this series of events or does one thing have nothing to do with the other. Thanks for your time and consideration.

Answer: The computer has a voltage regulator built into it. If it malfunctions, it will cause the alternator to overcharge the battery. Check the ground wires for the computer as a bad ground may also be causing your problem.

Question: 1999 Dodge Caravan mileage: 96,000.  My cooling fan keeps going out. First time dealer said the module was faulty, probably getting too much voltage blew the fan and fusible link. I bought a used fan and it lasted four months. I can't find another used fan, this makes me think this a common problem. Any ideas as to what could be causing this?

Answer: Cooling fan failure is not uncommon after 96,000 miles. We are not surprised that a used one failed as it probably had about the same amount of miles on it as your old one. Your best bet is to replace it with a new fan motor.

Question: 1997 Dodge Caravan mileage: 32,000. The "Service Engine" light came on. Using the ignition switch off to on three times and count method, I determined the diagnostic codes to be "12" and "21". I saw from the previously asked questions that "12" simply means I'm "ready to read the code". Can you tell me what the "21" code references? Thanks.

Answer: Code “21” indicates a failed oxygen sensor.

Question: 1998 Dodge Caravan mileage: 106,000. This is my first time at this, but I figured I'd give it a shot! The manual windows on my van are stuck, the passenger side is down half way and won't budge (not so great this time of year in central NY!) and the drivers' side window will go down, but you need to be Hercules to get it back up. Something's definitely wrong. Is it something a woman with no car experience whatsoever can fix? I don't even know how to get the door panel off to look inside! Money is very tight here, so I'd like to try to do it myself. Can you please help? Thanks!

Answer: Do not attempt to replace the assembly yourself. The assembly has a large tightly wound spring that can cause injury. Take your car to your local auto glass service center and play it safe. Risking a serious injury would not be worth trying it yourself. On the window that works hard, you might try placing some powdered graphite on the window tracks. This will lubricate the track so that the window does not drag.

Question: 1995 Dodge Caravan mileage: 123,000. When I start the van after it has been running for awhile, it overheats and I have to turn it off because the water starts boiling over.

Answer: A partially plugged radiator may be causing your problem. Have the radiator “boiled” out at a radiator service center. Another solution is to buy a brand new radiator for about the same price.

Question: 1996 Dodge Caravan mileage: 87,000. The fans are not working and our Dodge overheated as a result. Can you tell us where to locate the relay sensor to this van? Or what do you think the reason could be that the fans are not working? Our engine light is also staying on also. Any ideas on how to get our fans working? Thanks

Answer: The fan control module/relay is probably faulty. It is located by the radiator fan, the replacement part is a dealer item. 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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Question: 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan mileage: 76,000. We have an oil leak that drips in three small spots. We took it to our garage and the mechanic told us that he could not see where it was leaking from and since it is such a small amount we should not worry about it. Also, he told us that it is common in these types of engines. I am not comfortable with this since every time you park the van it leaves oil stains. Should we get another opinion or just leave well enough alone? Thanks!

Answer: What your mechanic may be telling you is the possible hundreds of dollars you may have to spend for the repair, may not be worth the three oil spots.

Question: 1997 Dodge Caravan mileage: 35,000. The wipers come on by themselves, a lot of times when cornering and using the turn signals. Our neighbor's 1996 Town & Country does the same thing.

Answer: Replacing the turn signal/wiper switch assembly should fix the problem.

Question: 1995 Dodge Grand Caravan mileage: 73,000. Last spring our van engine just quit while my wife was slowing & turning into a parking area. We took it to our dealer repair center and they could not locate the problem. There were no codes resulting from the shutdown and the van would not duplicate the problem in their presence. Now we are under similar circumstances (wife slowing and turning into a high-school parking lot) and the van quits again. The attempts to restart the engine failed, at least until a tow truck arrived. Then it started. I had it towed to the dealer (25-30 miles). Tried the engine & it ran! But, I shut it down and I tried to restart and (success? failure? I'm not sure), it stalled out. It would turn over, start running then fail. The next morning, I replayed the scenario for the service writer and this time it did it, but for the last time, apparently. The dealer could not duplicate the occurrence and, as you may have guessed, no codes either! I'm at a loss to explain what's going on. Do you have any ideas as what is going on with my van?

Answer: The fuel pump may be the cause. If it temporarily stops with no codes stored.

Question: 1991 Dodge Caravan mileage: 114,000.  My CV joint is going out. Is there any information I can obtain in replacing the part myself? If so, where?

Answer: We normally replace the axle assembly with a rebuilt unit. A Mitchell or Chilton auto repair manual will have diagrams showing axle replacement. car repair manuals

Question: 1999 Dodge Caravan mileage: 147,000.  I am having troubles with the engine stalling. I've replaced the oxygen sensor but the stalling continues. Any suggestions? Thanks.

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: 61,250. When I got in my van after it was sitting all night it had an "ashtray" smell to it. Turned it on and I realize the radio, interior lights & voltage/battery gauge was not working. When driving the "ashtray" smell seems to come from dashboard area (no smell under the hood) I've checked my fuses and they are ok. After forty miles and the smell seems to have gone. What next? Please help.

Answer: From what you describe, you have a wiring problem under the dash that has caused the radio and interior light fuse to "blow." Have the short located and repaired.

Question: 1996 Dodge Caravan, mileage: 120,000. When accelerating between speeds of 38 to 41 mph I notice a shake and rattle in the front end as if a loose metal part is hitting the frame. I have tried to shake all moveable parts in the front end nothing seems loose. The rattle only occurs when the van is passing through this speed range. I have noted the rpm during this and the rattle is independent of the rpm. This has been going on for some time and is only noticeable when the car is eased through this regime. A quick acceleration and the rattle does not occur when passing through this speed range. I have had the wheels balanced and the front end checked nothing seems to work!

Answer: The C.V. joints on the front drive axles may be worn out. Replacing the C.V. joints or drive axles should cure the problem.

Question: 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan , mileage: 87,500. I'm beginning to notice some difficulty steering this minivan, particularly when I first start it; once the car is going, I don't notice the problem. What part(s) do you think it is likely to need? What is likely to be the repair cost range for these parts?

Answer: Several things can be the cause. First, check drive belt for the power steering pump. Is it tight and in good condition? If the belt is okay, that leaves a faulty power steering pump or steering rack. A pressure test will eliminate a bad pump. That leaves the steering rack.

Question: 1999 Dodge Grand Caravan 125,000 miles. My Caravan is blowing blue smoke out of the tail pipe. I put new sparkplugs in it then I ran it for a minute and checked one sparkplug for oil on it, there was oil on it. Please tell me what is going on with it.

Answer: Blue smoke is from oil burning. Your engine has internal problems such as piston blow by, valve stem seal problems, broken/worn piston rings, etc. It may be time for an engine overhaul.

Question: 1995 Dodge Caravan 88,000 miles. I just purchased this van and the first time I drove it I noticed oil on the top of the engine (Rocker Cover). At the same time, I noticed that the oil pressure gauge was reading "0". The dipstick reads about 1/2 Qt. low. The two bolts that go right through the top of the cover have large washer like things that cap the bolt holes, one is a black rubber type material that looks melted into goo, the other is metal. Is this a bad idea of a replacement part? Is this likely to be my problem?

Answer: Your oil leak may be fixed by replacing the valve cover gasket and the two robber grommets that are in the middle of the cover. Low oil pressure at idle with engine at normal temperature is okay. Low oil pressure at highway speed is not okay.

Question: 1998 Dodge Caravan. The van has a water leak behind motor mount on front of the motor. The top of the radiator is okay and the bypass hose is okay on intake.

Answer: Your coolant leak maybe caused by one or more of the following: (1). Intake manifold gasket, (2). "O" ring seal on back of the water pump housing, (3). Thermostat housing or gasket.

Question: 1997 Dodge Caravan.  My Caravan has squeaky brakes. The Dodge dealer says there is nothing wrong with the brakes. They say it's dust between the brake pads, but I don't hear other cars squeaking like mine. Is there something wrong with the brakes on my car?

Answer: A brake squeak is a high frequency vibration. Assuming the brake pads are not worn out there are several products that can be applied between the back of the brake pad and the brake caliper to dampen the vibration and stop the squeak.

Question: 1996 Dodge Caravan. Where is the O2 sensor located on my car? How hard will it be to replace by myself?

Answer: The oxygen sensor is located in the exhaust system, either the exhaust manifold or the exhaust pipe very close to the manifold. They are very easy to change if done with the engine cold. Un-plug the wires and unscrew the sensor. Be sure to put anti-seize compound on the threads of the new sensor before replacing.

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