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Dodge Caravan Repair Questions and Answers

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Question: 2001 Dodge Caravan mileage 60,527.  I've read through a bunch of your previous answers and can see some similarities, but I'm still not quite sure which solution to try next. I have a problem with my 2001 Dodge Caravan.  It stalls occasionally when sitting at a stop light/sign and when going under 10 mph in traffic or when slowing down to turn a corner. The engine will also occasionally race or buck forward, usually while traveling at around 45 mph (the Check Engine light will occasionally come on when it races forward). Three different auto mechanics (including the Dodge/Chrysler dealer) have tried to correct this. It's had a tune up, the timing has been checked, the Cam Sensor and Crank Sensor have been tested using a computer and no code came up to reveal an error. The fuel filter has been replaced, and the throttle body has been cleaned/serviced. Can this problem be fixed or is it a common glitch with Chrysler products of this particular year?

Answer: Based on what you have told us, we suspect a faulty fuel pump and or oxygen sensor it's hard to tell for sure without running some tests.

Question: 1997 Dodge Caravan mileage: 92,233. The car stalls intermittently when not in motion and re-starts with no problems. The distance speed sensors were changed to no avail. No codes were found in the computer. I did notice that the engine tends to run a bit rough at idle prior to stalling. I am up-to-date on my preventative maintenance. At slow speeds the check engine light comes on for two to three seconds and goes off. Is this the sign of an engine problem?

Answer: If possible, check the fuel pressure when it starts to idle rough prior to stalling. Your fuel pump is probably failing.

Question: 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan mileage: 84,000. My A/C system vents pop over to the defrost vents when I accelerate. I went to a Chrysler dealer; they sold me this small black vacuum reservoir to put in line with the vacuum line that runs from the master cylinder to the control. This temporarily made a difference, now the problem is back. I went to a salvage yard and got a large vacuum reservoir off of an older Caravan, but that didn't help either. I have looked at all the vacuum lines, especially the main ones, nothing seen there. I don't have a vacuum gauge but suspect a leak someplace. Think the control itself is a culprit? Any common problems with this in Caravan that you know of? The dealer said they all did it.

Answer: Somewhere in the vacuum supply to the air conditioning controls is a check valve between the engine and the reservoir. The purpose of the check valve is to eliminate the problem you are having. Your check valve may have failed or you have a vacuum leak somewhere in the system.

Question: 1998 Dodge Caravan mileage: 115,000.  Driving to work the van just died like it was out of gas. Towed it home, compression tested cylinders, mechanic friend did a computer check showed no errors, tested it myself to get codes, only 12 and 55. Bought computer brain box and replaced it, its getting spark and gas, but now it starts and won't run or be idle. It really only runs when its floored. It starts with the gas pedal to the floor but won't stay running and now it ca-thunks loudly unless I'm flooring it.

Answer: First check the fuel pump, you may be low on fuel pressure due to a faulty pump or a plugged fuel filter. Next check the ignition module then the crank angle sensor.

Question: 1997 Dodge Caravan mileage: 69,000.  Even though the fuel tank has gas, at least 7/8 or less, the fuel low caution light comes on and the fuel gauge starts to go to empty. This happens intermittently and is always followed by the fuel gauge reading correctly until the caution light comes on again. Does not happen when the tank is full, just when a gallon or more has been used.

Answer: Check the float in the gas tank as it may have failed allowing gas inside and is not "floating" anymore. Or, the sending unit needs replacing.

Question: 1998 Grand Caravan. I replaced the battery and everything was great. Then my wife noticed that the manual recommended that I put the "felt pads" under the cables. I disconnected the new battery put the felt pads back down and reconnected the battery. Now, no interior lights work, headlights don't work, rpm/mileage display doesn't work. The power doors, mirrors, brake lights, CD player, AC all work. What do I need to reset?

Answer: When you replaced the battery, is there a chance that you accidentally got the cables switched? If so, you may have "cooked" a few things. If not, check the fusible links located close to the battery.

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Question: 2002 Dodge Caravan mileage: 31,000. Is there a way to stop a leaking rear head gasket by using a sealant or is that not a good remedy. I've been quoted a $1,200.00 repair bill and there must be another way. Is there? Can one head gasket be repaired without repairing the other?

Answer: We have never had much luck using a cooling system sealant to stop a leaking head gasket. If only one head gasket is leaking then just that head gasket can be replaced. However, be forewarned that the other gasket may soon be leaking. For economy reasons we usually change both at the same time, it is not half price just to do one. As for the $1200.00 repair bill, it's always best to get more than one estimate.

Question: 1996 Dodge Caravan mileage: 95,200. I have power door locks and I want to install remote opener. Where is control box located in van?

Answer: The control box is located under the left side of the dash-top cover.

Question: 1999 Dodge Caravan mileage: 104,000. I have a code 12. Any ideas?

Answer: Code 12 merely means that you are ready to access the computer.

Question: 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan mileage: 106,000. On a recent long trip, I experienced poor fuel mileage. Before the trip I did a tune-up, new plugs, wires, air filter, PVC etc. Once we started, I noticed that we were getting about twenty three MPG but after twenty miles, the mileage would drop down to twelve to fourteen. When the engine was cold after stopping for lunch or dinner the mileage would start at twenty three then again drop down to twelve to fourteen after twenty miles. I notice the tail pipe was black. Doing a key on engine light test, I found the following codes. 1-2, 5-1, 5-5. This said the O2 sensor (replaced at 82K) was detecting a lean mixture. After coming home, I took the vehicle to my local repair shop where they could not find any codes stored. The car is still getting poor mileage. It must be a sensor, where should I start?

Answer: We think that you may have a faulty oxygen sensor or coolant temperature sensor.

Question: 1997 Dodge Caravan mileage: 41,000. Just recently the engine would run hot when not moving. When moving ever thing is fine. I know the fans are not coming on. Even with the A/C on the fans are not coming on so I do not think it is the temperature sensing device. I have tested the fans by hot-wiring them. They both come on fine. The fan fuse (40 amp) is fine by all appearance. I believe it to be the relay or control module. The relay I replace myself  if I can find it! Where do they hide that thing exactly and what does it look like. In another Q&A, you said it is by the fan. The only thing by the fan in my case is a small connection. I have not "pulled" it apart because it is hard to get apart. It is fed power from a mass of wires all connected together. By the way, on both sides of this connection is voltage 6.4 volts when the A/C is on. (For ease of testing, I never let the radiator temp get to the cycle on temperature. I was using the A/C compressor to request for the fans to be on.) Does this sound like the relay? If so, please give exact description of location and appearance. Thanks.

Answer: What you are looking for is on the frame rail on the driver’s side front by the radiator. It is a solid-state speed control although Dodge calls it a relay. It is black or gray and very small.

Question: 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan mileage: 110,000. Yesterday I started the van and none of the gauges work, speedometer etc. Van runs fine. Pulled out of parking place all lights flashed (dash indicators) then everything waas ok. Today nothing reads but the van runs fine. Is it safe to drive what can I do?

Answer: All the gauges are controlled by the computer. Scan it for fault codes. The information should pinpoint the malfunctioning component.

Question: 1999 Dodge Caravan mileage: 75,000. This morning my minivan, which had not been started for two days, started fine and I let it idle for twenty minutes. The temperature was about -2. However, when I put it in gear it would not go anywhere, in any gear. The shift lever felt the same as always, so it did not feel like a bad cable. I let it sit and took the other car to work. At noon, I went home and the minivan then worked ok and I drove it to work. The temperature was only about ten degrees then. I do not understand what was going on and if this is something to be concerned about or can be fixed. Your advice is appreciated. Your site is an excellent service.

Answer: Your transmission may be ready for service. Replacing the filter and fluid may correct the problem. If it does not, you may be in the tank for a new transmission.

Question: 1997 Dodge caravan mileage: 110,000. I put in new half shafts at 99,000 miles, a 1,000 miles later both where out. I replaced struts, motor mounts, new tires, brakes calipers and rotors. I had the Dodge dealer align the front end and check the motor mount alignment. Now at 110,000 miles, there is one out again. Any reason why or is it because they are rebuilt; they where purchased at Napa. And of course it shakes between thirty to forty five mph then lets up past that or if take your foot of the gas. Thanks!

Answer: Try replace the CV joints with new parts. Some of the rebuilt units use old CV joints instead of installing new parts.

Question: 1989 Dodge Caravan mileage: 163,000. My horn stopped working, I took the steering wheel pad off, and I did not get any spark from the hot wire (should I have?) I am not sure where to look I checked the fuses and all seemed fine. By the way, is there a fuse for the horn? In addition, if so is it the accessories fuse? How can I tell where the problem is?

Answer: Check the horn relay. It may be faulty.

Question: (follow-up) Thanks for the reply, I asked some people at a parts store if there was a horn relay, and they looked it up and said they didn't see one listed, if there is one where would it be located?

Answer: The horn relay is located on the fuse/relay panel.

Question: 1999 Dodge Caravan mileage: 128,000. Does anyone know what engine code 32 means?

Answer: Code 32 is low speed fan control relay circuit.

Question: 1998 Dodge Caravan mileage: 99,000. Under light acceleration, when warm, with or without A/C, the engine seems to starve for fuel. The power just goes away. The engine never stalls. If the gas pedal is depressed the power returns and away I go. The local Dodge dealer says the EGR is faulty. This engine has no "Classic" EGR that I can find, or that is listed in the repair manual. Over the past several months the following items have been checked or replaced: Fuel pressure, idle position sensor, plugs, rotor, cap, wires, fuel filter, air filter. No error codes are generated in the on-board computer.

Answer: Check the fuel pressure regulator. It may be at fault.

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