1997 Dodge Caravan Power Steering problem

LOKIBUG

MEMBER
1997 DODGE CARAVAN
4 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
150,000 MILES

My caravan has been acting funny for the last few weeks. It started as just whenever I turned the car off and then on again, the clock wold be wrong. Then it progressed to the colck would "spin" every time I started it. Then, yesterday, the power steering went on it, and today it wont start at all. Also the engine "ticks." We had bought the van used about 3 months ago and when we asked the guy we got it from about the ticking, he gave us some engine treatment stuff to put in with the gas. That stopped the ticking for a couple of weeks but it had started again about 2 weeks ago. I have absolutely no idea whether or not these things are related, or what might be causing either of these issues. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

2 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
108,179 POSTS

Hi:

I don't think the problems are related. It sounds like the radio is loosing power when the key is off, or it has an internal problem which is not uncommon. When you said the power steering went, what happened? As far as the no start, is the check engine light on? And the ticking sound, does it come from the engine compartment? Did you put the additive in the oil or the fuel?

Joe