2001 Dodge Caravan Intermittent shorts

Tiny
DELPHIUS
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 DODGE CARAVAN
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 126,000 MILES
Hello. I have a 2001 dodge Caravan sport that is having some issues. When we are driving it "shorts" out the inside electrical for a split second and then it comes back on. This happens when stopped or while driving. Most often the AC blower and the radio go off and then right back on that lets us know ithas happened. Maybe 40% of the time it will turn off enough for the seatbelt and brake lights to come on but not every time. I thought it was related to the brakes when we had our trailer hooked up it would happen when we braked but I disconnected the trailer lights (aftermarket Uhaul, I used to work there) and the van worked fine for 2 weeks, no shorting out. Then it just started again. The engine will keep running and never miss a beat, most of the time the speedometer and rpm gauge do not change when it shorts. There have only been 2 times when it has shut down the vehicle totally, both times it was idling and jsut died. The first time it started right back up with no problem but the second there was a huming sound coming from the place where the throttle cables are attached, could be the MAF or the TPS? It hummed for a few minutes until I disconnected the battery cable and then for a few seconds after I reattached it. While it was huming there was NO power to anything else on the vehicle. When it stopped, everything was just as if it had never had a problem. I checked for codes even without a check engine light just for kicks and there was nothing. I can't see any corrosion on anything and the alternator is putting out normal voltage. I am at a loss, thinking maybe bad battery cable leading to a bad ground that gets hot (started when it was raining a ton here thought it was water in a connection at first but it is totally dry now and still doing it) or I amthinking a relay or circuit. Please help! Thanks in advance -Justin
Thursday, June 25th, 2009 AT 2:38 PM

1 Reply

Tiny
DOCFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,828 POSTS
Hi
Think all your problems are related to the Intelligent Power Module. It controls all power to all the stuff your having go out including PCM. Located under the relay box left side engine compartment. I know of no tests for it though other than when AC, Radio go out check for power from ICM.
Hope this helps
Thanks for donate
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, June 26th, 2009 AT 2:28 PM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Sponsored links