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Dodge Caravan Repair Questions and Answers

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Question: 1999 Dodge Caravan mileage: 77,000.  How do you get to the air filter to replace it? I've unbolted the plastic box from the front of the chassis, but the box doesn't seem to open.

Answer: The air filter is buried and is very difficult to change. A Mitchell, Chilton, Haynes, dealer auto repair manual or a specialty repair book for your make of car will have step-by-step instructions so you can judge for yourself the difficulty based on your level of experience. car repair manuals

Question: 1997 Dodge AWD Grand Caravan mileage: 110,000. How do you change the "back left hand spark plug?” It’s the one that sits right behind the alternator. I can't reach it from underneath. I can't reach it from the side. Do I have to take off the intake manifold?

Answer: You must remove the alternator to replace the spark plug in question.

Question: 1999 Dodge Minivan mileage: 84,000.  After finally getting my car home while it was running hot, I had a now ex-mechanic tell me that I had a cracked engine gasket. He told me that I would need to get that fixed along with replacing my radiator because it too had failed. Have you heard of a 'cracked engine gasket' before and if so, how does it affect my radiator?

Answer: The “cracked head gasket” is probably a blown head gasket or possibly a cracked head; the result of the engine being severely overheated. The radiator is probably the cause of the overheating.

Question: 1995 Dodge Caravan mileage: 126,000.  The engine won't start. However, recently had tune up which included plugs, wires, timing, fuel filter, idle air control valve, coil, fuel pressure at ignition is 38. I'm unable to get the engine to run. What do you suggest?

Answer: Here are some things to have checked: 1. Check to see if the timing belt has failed, 2. Check for ignition spark at spark plugs, 3. Check for fuel pressure, 4. Scan P.C.M. (computer) for fault or error codes. The information should pinpoint the malfunctioning components.

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Question: 1998 Dodge Caravan mileage: 54,000.  My parking brake does not work. I push it, and it goes to the floor. How do I remedy? Thanks.

Answer: First check to make sure the parking brake cable that goes to the rear brakes is intact and not broken. Next check the rear brakes and the self-adjusters to see that they are free and working properly. If all checks out okay, then adjust the parking brake cable.

Question: 1988 Dodge Grand Caravan mileage: over 100,000.  I'm replacing the left motor mount on my 1988 Dodge Grand Caravan LE (3.0). I was able to remove the old bracket and mount without a hitch, but I am now having trouble re-installing the bracket. I can put the top screw in the bracket, but I cannot get the bottom screw in. It seems that the bracket is about 1/4 in. too long now, but this can't be as this is the same bracket that was taken off. Any techniques or suggestions? I have made sure that I am not putting in on upside down.

Answer: Remove the top bolt and install the bottom bolt first.

Question: 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan mileage: 282,000. Occasionally, the engine will just turn over but not start. Turns over at normal speed, usually after several tries it finally starts. Once, it would not start at all. I had it towed to dealer (late at night,) but next morning it started fine. The dealer could not find anything wrong after checking it out for two days. The dealer suggests replacing fuel pump. Due to the high cost I'd appreciate a second opinion. Thanks!

Answer: That would be our answer also. It sounds like a fuel pump problem. Replace fuel filter also.

Question: 1992 Dodge Caravan mileage: 100,000. The headlights on our 92 Dodge Caravan won’t come on and the fuses are fine. The fog lights and hazards work but is there any other reason besides the fuses that wont let both headlights come on?

Answer: Check the headlight switch, it may be faulty. Also, check the fusible link near the battery.

Question: 1994 Dodge Grand Caravan mileage: 84,000.  In your FAQ, there was problem with a Caravan just like the one we are having. No codes show up. You advised the fuel pump could be the problem. In my van, I have checked the fuel pressure at the manifold fitting and it is OK. Here is a list of what I have done and how the car has gotten worse. I think the intermittent problem has gone steady state. Your advice would be most helpful. You may look up the guy with the van and see if he found the source of his problem. I have the 94 Dodge mini van with 84,000 miles that would die at a light after going on the freeway for twenty five minutes. I will give you a very long-winded list of what I have done because I don't know what fact may be key. What I've done: 1. Replace the fuel filter. No change. 2. Checked the fuel pressure at the rail nipple. Peaks to 50 on start, drops or 38-40 psi and stays there no matter the speed. Had the motor die and the pressure was the same. 3. Replaced PVC. (Cheep, easy and I had the Factory original in place) No change. 4. Took van to "Car Computer Service” Local shop that I have never used before. Put sun readout box on van and ran for ninety minutes. No trouble codes but cam signal and crankshaft sensors are weak. Will replace for $225. "It should fix it” I ask the mechanic if I can replace the sensors my self? No special tools are needed to maintain air gap. I take the car back and try some easy maintenance stuff. 5. Took off input boot and sprayed out the throttle valve body/ butterfly valve. No Change. 6. Injector cleaner in the tank. No change. Still have 1/4 tank left. Car is getting hard to start when warm and die more at lights. 7. Replaced front three plugs and wires with Boush platinum 4 plugs. Runs fine. However, I think the car was cold when I ran it. 8. Replaced two back plugs. I started the car up each time I changed a plug and buy the time I replace the 5th plug the engine was warm but not hot. 9. Car started OK but ran rough. Replaced the PVC valve I had removed to get at middle back plug. Still rough. I thought maybe I had left a plug wire off or the mismatch of five new and one old plug was causing a problem. 10. Found section of book on "Check Engine codes.” Flipped on and off key and got codes 12, 21,52,55. 11. Based on code 21 (O2S stays at center of is shorted to voltage) Pulled off Oxygen sensor connector to see if that would allow start. No start. Only cranks. 11. Tried to start but now that engine was warm it would not start. After 1 hour, it would start but rough. 12. Drove it for 2 miles and it died at a stop sign. Wouldn't start for 45 min. It finally started but ran rough and no radio, power windows, power locks, Alt. gauge. I read about limp in mode but I don't know if my car has SCC Spark Control Computer or if that is only for Carburetor fuel systems. Would not restart after I got back home. 13. This morning started OK but rough. I ran it for 10 min. to make sure I had enough charge to keep testing. After it got warm, it ran rough. I turned it off and it would not restart. So, what changes when the car gets hot? 1. O2S? How to test? Did the injector cleaner foul it? The can said it was OK for Oxygen sensors. 2. Was the guy right and I need new crank and cam sensors? 3. How do I get out of limp mode? 4. The guy at the parts shop said that if I disconnect the battery for five minutes it will zero the codes and I can see if I still get the same codes now. 5. Throttle Position Sensor? 6. Is the fuel pressure high enough? New regulator? It can cruse at seventy with no problems. 7. Let me know what other tests I should run. This morning I started the cold van no problem. Warmed up the van, no problem. Revved it to 2,000 rpm's for five minutes and then it would not restart. Turned it off and when it did not start I pulled off a spark plug wire and stuck in an old plug. When my wife cranked the car, there wasn't any spark from the end of the plug and block. I could not test this before because when it acted up because I was always alone. This time I was in the driveway. How can I crank a dodge van under the hood by myself? Sorry this is so long. Looking for your advice.

Answer: Isn't it amazing the amount of time one can spend trying to find a problem? We have done the same thing. A hint to your problem may be the radio, power windows, power door locks and alternator gauge failing to working. Check 12-volt power leads to the engine management systems also check ground connections and check for possible faulty ignition switch. Try replacing the coolant sensor. It may be shorting out at operating temperature, but working properly when cold. Run a compression check to verify the engine condition. Check EGR valve for proper operation. If the oxygen sensor and throttle position sensor are faulty, it will show up on a computer scan. No spark when trying to start may be due to a faulty cam and crankshaft sensors or and faulty ignition module/coil pack.

Question: 1998 Dodge Caravan mileage: 125,000.  Can someone please tell me where is the fill for my power steering fluid? I found the stick measure in the back of the engine, but I need to fill it and the noise is terrible.

Answer: The measuring “stick” you found is also the port or opening to fill the power steering reservoir. Be careful not to add too much as it is easy to over fill.

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