1996 Dodge Grand Caravan Electrical Problems

THE VAN WILL START THEN IMMEDIATELY TURN OFF. IT DOES THIS MORE WHEN IT IS HOT OUTSIDE. IF YOU LET THE VEHICLE SIT FOR ABOUT 4 HOURS IN THE SHADE IT WILL START AND GET YOU TO YOUR NEXT DESTINATION. IF THE WEATHER IS TOO HOT IT WON'T START UNTIL THE WEATHER CHANGES TO COOLER. I HAVE REPLACED THE STARTER, TWO COMPUTERS, GOT THE CIRCUIT BOARD COLD SOLDERED. REPLACED THE BATTERY AND CAN'T REMEMBER ALL THE REST. IT STILL HAS THIS PROBLEM. IT SEEMS TO BE VERY COMMON. THERE IS A WEB SITE TOPIX.COM THAT HAS A FORUM JUST FOR THIS PROBLEM. NO ONE HAS BEEN ABLE TO FIX IT COMPLETELY. SOME ONE SOME WHERE HAS GOT TO KNOW HOW TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. ALSO THE CLOCK SPRING IS UNDER RECALL. ONCE YOU GET THE RECALL DONE AFTER A FEW YEARS THE SPRING BREAKS AGAIN AND THEY DON'T FIX IT AGAIN. SO I NO LONGER HAVE A HORN OR AIRBAGS THAT WORK. *TR

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND ALSO STALLED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE FAILURES GRADUALLY BECAME WORSE AND OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE WIRING IN AN ATTEMPT TO REMEDY THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AWAITING A FUSE BOX REPLACEMENT.

MOTHERBOARD HAS STOPPED WORKING AND HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE. IT FAILED A THIRD TIME A WEEK AGO; LAST TIME THE MOTHERBOARD WAS REPLACED WAS OCT 2003. WHEN MOTHERBOARD FAILS, ALL DISPLAY ITEMS CEASE TO WORK - NO SPEED INDICATOR, NO FUEL GAUGE, NO TEMP GAUGE, NO MILEAGE. THIS IS A $700 REPAIR AND SHOULD NOT CONTINUE TO HAPPEN. HAVE NOT REPLACED PART A THIRD TIME, AM CONSIDERING REPLACING THE VEHICLE. *NM

WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH ON MAJOR HIGHWAY MY 1996 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SHUT DOWN, AND LOST ALL POWER. SAME THING OCCURRED 1 MONTH LATER. I WAS ALMOST INVOLVED IN A MAJOR ACCIDENT WITH 4 CHILDREN ABOARD. MECHANIC HAS CHANGED 2 RELAY SWITCHES. DO NOT KNOW IF AND WHEN IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN.*AK

I OWN A 1996 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN WITH SEVERAL ELECTICAL PROBLEMS. FIRST THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AND WILL NOT RESET. ALL OF THE FANS FOR THE HEATER AND A/C DOESN'T WORK. THE REAR WIPER IS CONTINUOUSLY WORKING. WE HAVE HAD THE VAN TO THE MECHANIC SEVERAL TIMES(TOO MANY TO COUNT) AND THEY CAN NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THE COMPANY REALLY NEEDS TO RECALL THIS ISSUE.*AK

WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND GOING 65 TO 70 MPH, THE CAR LOSES RPM'S, BACKFIRES, JERKS, LOSES SPEED. I AM UNABLE TO GIVE IT GAS. I HAVE TO PULL OFF INTO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND IT SLOWS TO A STOP AND STALLS. I CANNOT START IT BACK, HOWEVER IF I SET FOR A FEW MINUTES, OPEN AND SLAM THE HOOD, IT WILL START BACK. MY SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND THE CODE THAT WAS FOUND SAID THAT A MISFIRE WAS FOUND IN CYLINDER 6. IT HAS HAPPENED SINCE FIXING THAT PROBLEM, BUT THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT WENT OFF. I HAVE BEEN TOLD TO TRY TO FIX MANY DIFFERENT PROBLEMS BUT NO ONE, NOT EVEN THE CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP CAN TELL ME FOR SURE WHAT IS WRONG AND NEEDS TO BE FIXED. THIS IS AMAZING TO ME, BECAUSE I CAN FIND MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM, AND NOT ONLY WITH 1996 GRAND CARAVANS. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM BECAUSE OF THE SUDDEN STALLING AT SUCH HIGH RATES OF SPEED. IF SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO BE RECALLED AND FOUND WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW FOR SURE WHAT TO DO TO FIX IT BECAUSE I CANNOT AFFORD TO PURCHASE ANOTHER ONE AND I LOVE THIS VAN (LESS THIS MAJOR PROBLEM). PLEASE HELP.*AK

SMOKE APPEARED FROM UNDER THE HOOD, THEN BURST INTO FLAMES. THIS OCCURRED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK *SC

HAD THE 1696 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN FOR ALMOST 3 YEARS , ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS I THINK. THE SPEEDOMETER, ODOMETER, GEAR SELECTOR, WATER COOLANT GAUGE, FUEL GAUGE STOPS WORKING WHILE DRIVING AND WHEN I SHUT CAR OFF THE GEAR SELECTOR AND ODOMETER STAYS ILLUMINATED EVEN WITH THE CAR OFF AND LIGHTS OFF , OR ON.. ALSO THE TACHOMETER FREEZES UP ON A CERTAIN RPM . DEPENDING WHAT THE RPM WAS WHEN EVERYTHING STOPED WORKING RIGHT.. WINDSHIELD WIPERS TURN ON AUTOMATICALLY BUT 99.9% OF THE TIME THEY WONT SHUT OFF EVEN IF I SELECT IT TO SHUT OFF , THEY KEEP GOING AND GOING EVEN ON DRY DAYS AND NO RAIN .TOOK IT TO MECHANIC AND THEY CANT FIND WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT AND THEY CHARGE ME 60 TO 90 DOLLARS JUST TO TEST IT AND THEY NEVER COME UP WITH A SOLUTION UNLESS THEY DISCONNECT THE BATTERY AND LET IT SIT FOR A FEW MINUTES SO THE COMPUTER OR SOMETHING RESETS, BUT THIS HAPPENS ABOUT EVERY 3 TO 6 MONTHS AND ALSO BEFORE THIS HAPPENS THE CAR RUNS ROUGH AT IDLE OR SITTING AT A RED LIGHT OR AT A STOP . THE DRIVER SEAT BUCKLE SOMETIMES DONT UNLATCH, I HAVE TO USE EXTRA FORCE TO UNLATCH THEM, SOMETIMES I DONT EVEN WEAR A SEAT BELT CAUSE I AM SCARED THAT IF SOMETHING HAPPENS AND I NEED TO GET OUT OF THE CAR QUICKLY THAT I WONT BE ABLE TO. THE MIDDLE BENCH SEAT SEEMS LOOSE , EVERYTHIME I COME TO A STOP OR I TAKE OFF A CLUCKING SOUND COMES FROM THE MIDDLE ROW SEATS, I CHECKED IT AND IT SEEMED LIKE ITS ALL LOCKED IN BUT I DONT TRUST IT.. I WOULD NEVER PURCHASE A CHRYSLER PRODUCT EVER AGAIN EVEN IF IT IS GIVEN TO ME FOR FREE OR EVEN GIVE IT TO MY WORST ENEMY.. THANK YOU .. JZ.*AK

RE:DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SE, L996 CONTINUAL PROBLEMS WITH ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. SUDDEN LACK OF POWER WHEN DRIVING ON FREEWAY, NARROWLY AVOIDING SERIOUS ACCIDENTS. IN RESEARCHING ON VARIOUS WEB SITES, THIS SEEMS TO BE A RECURRING PROBLEM FOR OTHER OWNERS AS WELL. THE DEALER HAS KEPT THE CAR TWICE SO THEY COULD 'DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM', THEY REPLACE ONE SENSOR OR ANOTHER. LAST REPLACEMENT SEEMS TO HAVE WORKED BUT STILL DON'T TRUST THE CAR AND WON'T DRIVE ON FREEWAY OR FAR FROM HOME. NOW HAVE TROUBLE STARTING THE CAR, THE DEALER SAID IT'S PROBABLY THE CRANK SENSOR. THEY SAY SINCE I ONLY HAVE 33,000 MILES ON THE CAR, IT SHOULDN'T BE THE STARTER. ALSO, I HAVE HISTORY OF THE WIPERS TURNING ON AND OFF WHENEVER THEY FEEL LIKE IT. THEY ALSO ESTABLISH THEIR OWN RHYTHM WHEN WORKING. THE WIPER SENSOR HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES. THE COMPUTER NEVER SHOWS AN ERROR CODE SO OBVIOUSLY, IT ISN'T WORKING EITHER. THE SPEEDOMETER WILL FLOAT AND SOMETIMES WILL SHOW 0 MILES AN HOUR WHEN I'M MOVING. THEY REPLACED THE SPEEDOMETER SENSOR TWICE AND NOW IT SEEMS TO BE WORKING. I HAVE SEEN ALL OF THESE COMPLAINTS LISTED ON VARIOUS WEB SITES. THE DEALER ACTS LIKE I'M CRAZY AND THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THESE PROBLEMS BEFORE. MY MAIN CONCERN IS THE SUDDEN LACK OF POWER, THE ENGINE JUST TURNS OFF, NO POWER STEERING EITHER WHEN THIS HAPPENS. I WONDER HOW MANY ACCIDENTS HAVE BEEN A RESULT OF THIS OBVIOUS DEFECT... AS SOON AS I CAN AFFORD IT, I WILL BE REPLACING THIS VAN WITH A NON-DODGE VEHICLE. *NLM

STEERING COLUMN ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS; TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL CAUSES VARIOUS ELECTRICAL INPUTS SUCH AS TURNING ON WINDSHIELD WIPERS, HONKING HORN, CAUSING THE ABS FAILURE LIGHT TO COME ON AND CAUSING ALL ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS TO SHORT OUT INCLUDING ALL GAUGES AND EVEN CAUSING THE ENGINE TO TURN OFF. *NLM

CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE'S HORN IS NOT WORKING DUE TO ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. DEALER WON'T REPAIR. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. TS

CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS

HORN WILL NOT WORK, AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON AND NO ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS ON THE STEERING COLUMN FUNCTION. DODGE IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT WILL NOT REPLACE THE CLOCK.*AK

THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THAT THE FAILURE OF TURN SIGNALS, THE COMING ON OF WIPERS BY THEMSELVES AND SHORTING OUT THE BATTERY AND THE VEHICLE STALLING WERE A FAULT OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WHICH THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE PROBLEM. *YH

INTERMITTENTLY WHEN LEFT TURN SIGNAL IS ACTIVATED WINDSHIELD WIPERS COME ON. DEALER HAS INSPECTED AND REPAIRED VEHICLE, HOWEVER PROBLEM HAS REOCCURRED. *AK THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START DUE TO BATTERY FAILURE. THE SLIDING DOOR DOES NOT SHUT PROPERLY. PASSENGER DOOR DOES NOT LOCK DUE TO DOOR LOCK MOTOR FAILURE. DRIVERS WINDOW MAKES NOISE DUE TO REGULATOR FAILURE. *YH

BATTERY EXPLODED AT FIRST START, ORIGINAL PART.*AK

MY HUSBAND WOULD BE DRIVING AND OUT OF NOWHERE THE VEHICLE SHUTS OFF. EVERYTHING ON THE DASH WENT OUT. ABOUT 2 TO 3 SECONDS LATER IT CAME BACK ON BUT BARELY WORKING. THE CAR BEHIND US ALMOST HIT US. WHEN THE CAR RE-STARTED THE DASH LIGHTS WERE FLICKERING AND THE INSTRUMENTS WERE NOT READING RIGHT. ONTOP OF THAT WE COULD NOT TURN THE AIR OR RADIO OR ANYTHING ELSE BECAUSE IT MADE THE PROBLEM WORSE. PRIOR TO THIS IT HAPPEN TO MY HUSBAND TWICE ON THE SAME DAY. IN MARCH WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND TOLD THEM THE PROBLEM WE HAVE BEEN HAVING ON TOP OF OTHER ISSUES. WE ONLY HAD THIS MINI VAN FOR A YEAR AND WE ALREADY HAD TO REPAIR THE AIR CONDITIONER 2X , FUEL PUMP BECAUSE IT WAS LEAKING, THE FIRST TIME THEY COULD NOT FIND THE PROMBEM AND SAID IT WAS AN OVERFILL OF GAS, SECOND TIME THEY FOUND THE PROBLEM AND FIXED IT. ALSO OUT OF POCKET FOR BRAKES, AND ROTOR. WE WERE HOPING FOR SOME KIND OF EXCHANGE FOR THIS. DURING THE YEAR WE HAD THIS MINI VAN THE DEALERSHIP CHANGE HANDS AGAIN. NOW THE CURRENT OWNER IS GETTING COMPLAINTS FROM CUSTOMERS WHO PURCHASE A VEHICLE FROM THERE LAST YEAR, PER OUR CONVERSATION WITH THE SALES MANAGER. THEY HAD TO RE-RUN OUR CREDIT AND TAKE ALL OUR PERSONAL INFORMATION ALL OVER AGAIN. NEXT MORNING I WAS TOLD THAT THE BANK /LENDER WANTS $2500.00 UPFRONT AS GOOD FAITH, BECAUSE WE STILL OWE ON THE VEHICLE. LIKE I SAID EARLIER THE CAR IS FINACE FOR 5 YEARS. ALSO THE PART THAT IS NEEDED COST ANYWHERE BETWEEN $385 TO 209 APPROX. AND LABOR $300.00 OR SO. SO WE WOULD BE PAYING CLOSE TO $685 OR MORE. ALSO THIS PART IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY NOR UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY. I CAN NOT UNDERSTAND THAT SINCE IT IS AN ELECTRICAL COMPONET. IF ANYONE CAN HELP PLEASE, WE REALLY WOULD LIKE TO GET RID IF IT OR SOMEHOW GET IT FIX.*AK

CONSUMER STATES VEHICLES ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF, CONSUMER WAS GETTING GAS, AFTER ENTERING THE VEHICLE CONSUMER SMELLED SMOKE, AND SAW SMOKE COMING OUT OF DASH. CONSUMER DROVE CAR TO A MECHANIC. NLM *YH

CONSUMER STATES THAT INSTRUMENT PANEL DID NOT OPERATE AFTER VEHICLE WAS STARTED, CONSUMER HAD TO TURN IGINITION OFF THEN ON AGAIN, IT COMPLETELY QUIT WORKING AND DEALER MADE REPAIRS, HOWEVER VEHICLE WAS OUT OF ITS WARRANTY. *TT

CONSUMER STATES THAT INSTRUMENT PANEL DID NOT OPERATE AFTER VEHICLE WAS STARTED, CONSUMER HAD TO TURN IGINITION OFF THEN ON AGAIN, IT COMPLETELY QUIT WORKING AND DEALER MADE REPAIRS, HOWEVER VEHICLE WAS OUT OF ITS WARRANTY. *TT

DEFECT CLOCKSPRING LEADS TO AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON, AND PROPELY MAILFUNCTION. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL STARTED BURNING IN THE SWITCH CONTACTS AND SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE DASHBOARD. THE CAR WAS PARKED WITH TWO SMALL KIDS SITTING IN THEIR BABY SEATS. ONE OF THE KIDS, 3 YEARS OLD MANGED TO KNOCK ON THE WINDOW FOR GETTING HELP. THE FIRE STOPPED WITHOUT MAKING ADDITIONAL DAMAGES AND NOBODY WERE INJURED. THE FUSES DID NOT BLOW.*AK

THE CLOCKSPRING ACTS AS AN ELECTRICAL CONDUIT FOR THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG, HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL. WHEN IT BREAKS ONE OR MORE OF THESE SYSTEMS FAILS WITHOUT WARNING. I FEEL THAT IT IS A VERY DANGEROUS DEFECT. I HAVE NEVER HAD A CLOCKSPRING FAIL ON ANY OTHER CAR THAT I HAVE OWNED, SEVERAL OF WHICH HAVE GONE WELL BEYOND 100,000 MILES.*AK

AIRBAG LIGHT CAM ON, I NO LONGER HAVE WORKING HORN OR CRUISE CONTROL.

CONSUMER PARKED VEHICLE IN PARKING LOT, IT CAUGHT ON FIRE DUE TO A WIRE IN THE WIRING HARNESS, CLAIM 35-W700-085. *SLC

WHILE LEAVING HOME, CONSUMER HEARD A POFF, WHEN LOOKING UNDER THE HOOD, IT WAS SMOKING IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, THE MAIN HARNESS IS MELTED, THERE WAS NO SIGN OF A FIRE, CLAIM 25-5394-275. *SLC

CONSUMER PARKED VEHICLE IN PARKING LOT, IT CAUGHT ON FIRE DUE TO A WIRE IN THE WIRING HARNESS, CLAIM 35-W700-085. *SLC

WHILE LEAVING HOME, CONSUMER HEARD A POFF, WHEN LOOKING UNDER THE HOOD, IT WAS SMOKING IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, THE MAIN HARNESS IS MELTED, THERE WAS NO SIGN OF A FIRE, CLAIM 25-5394-275. *SLC

CONSUMER SMELLED SOMETHING ELECTRICAL BURNING. NOTICED FLAMES INSIDE DASHBOARD. CONSUMER PULLED OVER AND SHUT CAR OFF. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER. *AK

DAIMLERCHRYSLER REFERENCE # 08756857 - BATTERY HAS FAILED 4 TIMES CHRYSLER HAS REIMB. TWICE AND STILL REFUSED TO SEND ME KNOWN SERVICE BULLETINS #082995 &08195 RELATING TO PROBLEMS WITH DEAD BATTERIES. ALSO REQUESTED INFO ON FLUID BUBBLING OVER ONTO ENGINE FROM JUNE 97 AND SEPT. 99. I HAVE WRITTEN TO CHRYSLER AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT "THE INFORMATION YOU ARE SEEKING IS EITHER UNAVAILABLE FROM DAIMLERCHRYSLER MOTORS CORPORATION OR CONSIDERED PROPRIETARY" AND WAS SIGNED BY GLENN S. CAMERON, SENIOR STAFF.*AK

BATTERY CRACKED AND LEAKED ACID INTO WIRING COVER AND AIR CLEANER HOUSING CAUSING VEHICLE NOT TO START, BATTERY WAS REPLACED AND BEGAN TO LEAK AGAIN APPROXIMATELY FOUR MONTHS LATER, SEVEN MONTHS LATER THE BATTERY HAD TO BE BOOSTED TO START VEHICLE, AGAIN DEALER REPLACED THE BATTERY, BATTERY WAS REPLACED A FOURTH TIME ALONG WITH A FAULTY STARTER. *SLC

BATTERY CRACKED AND LEAKED ACID INTO WIRING COVER AND AIR CLEANER HOUSING CAUSING VEHICLE NOT TO START, BATTERY WAS REPLACED AND BEGAN TO LEAK AGAIN APPROXIMATELY FOUR MONTHS LATER, SEVEN MONTHS LATER THE BATTERY HAD TO BE BOOSTED TO START VEHICLE, AGAIN DEALER REPLACED THE BATTERY, BATTERY WAS REPLACED A FOURTH TIME ALONG WITH A FAULTY STARTER. *SLC

AN ELECTRICAL SHORT WAS CAUSING AIRBAG LIGHT TO STAY ON. DEALER HAS REPLACED CLOCK SPRING ASSEMBLY, AND NOT HORN. HOWEVER HORN TOUCH PAD HAD A SHORT CAUSING THE HORN NOT TO FUNCTION. DEALER WAS LOOKING INTO THE PROBLEM.*AK DEALER HAD TO DISCONNECT THE HORN TO MAKE IT INOPERATIVE BECAUSE THE COST WAS 649 DOLLARS, CONSUMER FEELS THIS FAILURE IS BECAUSE OF THE FAULTY CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY THAT SHORTED. *SLC

CAN THIS CAUSE A FIRE ? IT MELTED THE RELAY . THEY HAD A TSB ON THIS LOTS OF PROBLEMS. *AK

VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN IT CAUGHT FIRE, FIRE WAS CAUSED BY A WIRE IN THE WIRING HARNESS, CLAIM 35-W700-085. *SLC

VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN IT CAUGHT FIRE, FIRE WAS CAUSED BY A WIRE IN THE WIRING HARNESS, CLAIM 35-W700-085. *SLC

AIR BAG LIGHT HAS COME ON, AND HORN HAS FAILED TO FUNCTION. DEALERSHIP HAS NOT EXAMINED VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.*AK

INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING LIGHTING ON THE DASH WILL GO OUT. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, CONSUMER DOES NOT KNOW HOW FAST VEHICLE IS GOING. DELAER HAS REPLACED CONTROL PANEL MODULE, HOWEVER , PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED.*AK

WIRE HARNESS SHORTING OUT IN STEERING ASSY POSS. SETTING OFF AIRBAGS WHILE DRIVING.*AK

BODY CONTROL COMPUTER WENT OUT AT 64000 AND THIS CONTROLLED WINDSHIELD WIPERS. AT 69000 MILES IT WENT OUT AGAIN.*AK NOW AT 71000 MILES IT HAS FAILED AGAIN. *SLC

I'VE READ ABOUT INVESTIGATION ON THE AIR CLOCK SPRINGS .... THESE SHOULD BE RECALLED. *AK

VEHICLE EXPERIENCING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH MALFUNCTIONING OF THE DASHBOARD, SPEEDOMETER, RPM, FUEL GAUGE, AND TEMPERATURE GAUGE. *SLC

ENGINE WILL DIE SUDDENDLY AT ANY SPEEDS AND WITHOUT WARNING POSSIBLY DUE TO BAD COMPUTER, AFTER WAITING 15-20 MINUTES VEHICLE WILL RESTART. DEALER CANNOT DTERMINE CAUSE.*AK

ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE AIRBAG LIGHT COMING ON/ HORN FAILURE AND CRUISE CONTROL FAILURE. *AK

WE PURCHASED A USED 1996 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN IN DECEMBER OF 1997. IT HAS AN INTERMITTENT FAILURE. DURING COLD WEATHER, OCCASIONALLY THE ENGINE QUITS RUNNING. SOMETIMES FAILURES OCCUR EVERY FEW DAYS; SOMETIMES THEY ARE MORE THAN A MONTH A PART. FAILURES OCCUR FOLLOWING A COLD START AS THE ENGINES GETS CLOSE TO OR REACHES NORMAL OPERATING TEMPERATURE. THE FAILURE USUALLY HAPPENS FROM 9 TO 31 MINUTES AFTER THE VEHICLE IS STARTED. FAILURES OCCUR WHEN THE OUTDOOR TEMPERATURE IS BELOW ABOUT 400F. FAILURES MOST COMMONLY OCCUR WHEN THE MINIVAN HAS BEEN PARKED IN A GARAGE THAT IS WARMER THAN THE AMBIENT OUTDOOR TEMPERATURE. THE ENGINE QUITS RUNNING. THIS HAS HAPPENED WHILE AT A STOP, WHILE DRIVING ON LOCAL STREETS, AND WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE. SOMETIMES IT RECOVERS AND SOMETIMES IT MUST BE MANUALLY RESTARTED. IT APPEARS THAT IF THE THROTTLE IS CLOSED, THE ENGINE MUST BE RESTARTED MANUALLY AND IF THE THROTTLE IS OPEN, THE ENGINE RECOVERS. WHEN THIS FAILURE OCCURS, THE SPEEDOMETER DROPS RAPIDLY TOWARD ZERO. IT DOES NOT REFLECT THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE. SCHAUMBURG DODGE HAS MADE AT LEAST SEVEN UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPTS TO DIAGNOSE AND REPAIR THIS PROBLEM.

IN FIRST INCIDENT, ENGINE SUDDENLY STOPPED RUNNING WHILE VAN WAS STOPPED IN TRAFFIC. IMMEDIATLY TRIED TO RESTART ENGINE BUT ENGINE WOULD NOT CRANK. AFTER THIS ATTEMPT ,ELECTRICAL POWER TO ALL OTHER COMPONENTS (LIGHTS, RADIO/ ETC.) WAS LOST. AFTER APP. 1/2 HOUR WITHOUT POWER ,ENGINE RESTARTED WHEN AGAIN ATTEMPTED. IN SECOND INCIDENT, WHILE TRAVELING APP. 50 MPH,AGAIN, ENGINE SUDDENLY STOPPED RUNNING.ENGINE WOULD NOT RESTART (NO CRANK) . AFTER 15-20 MINUTES, ENGINE WOULD RESTART. TAKEN TO DEALER, WHERE THEY COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM AS VAN WAS NOW RUNNING OK. DEALER COULD NOT EXPLAIN WHY ENGINE WOULD SUDDENLY AND COMPLETELY LOSE POWER.EULY

BATTERY FAILURE. *SLC

ELECTRICAL COMPUTER FAILURE, WINDOWS ROLL UP AND DOWN, WIPERS GO ON, ALL INSTRUMENT LIGHTS FLASH ON AND OFF, AND ALL POWER IS LOST, WITH NO KEY IN IGNITION OR ANYONE IN VEHICLE THE WIPERS WILL COME ON. *SLC

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO ACTIVATE WHILE ON "OFF" POSITION/ TAIL LIGHTS TO FAIL, AND PROBLEMS WITH AIR CONDITIONER. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

WIRING SYSTEM IS SUSPECT, AIRBAG LIGHT SEEMS TO BE SYMPTOM BUT NOT SURE IS CAR IS SAFE.

CONSUMER WAS LEAVING HOME AND HEARD A POFF, CONSUMER LIFTED THE HOOD AND THE VEHICLE WAS SMOKING IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, MAIN WIRING HARNESS IS MELTED, NO SIGN OF FIRE, CLAIM 25-5394-275. *SLC

CONSUMER WAS LEAVING HOME AND HEARD A POFF, CONSUMER LIFTED THE HOOD AND THE VEHICLE WAS SMOKING IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, MAIN WIRING HARNESS IS MELTED, NO SIGN OF FIRE, CLAIM 25-5394-275. *SLC

DRIVERS AIR BAG, HORN AND SPEED CONTROL SHORTED OUT AND INOPERABLE

OWNER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER AFTER AIRBAG LIGHT FLASHED ON AND THE HORN STOPPED WORKING. SAID THAT ENTIRE AIRBAG SYSTEM HAD TO BE REPLACED. OWNER CONTACTED CHRYSLER BUT THEY PROVIDED NO HELP IN PAYING FOR REPAIRS. *ML

STARTER FAILED.*MJS

VEHICLE'S ELECTRICAL GAUGES FAILED INTERMITTENTLY DUE TO LOOSE GROUND WIRING.*MJS

THE HORN IS INOPERABLE. NLM

I HAVE HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS, THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS HAVE HAD TO BE REPLACED, EVEN THOUGH IN THE 3 YEAR TIME FRAMED I PAID FOR THE NEW ONES, THERE IS A KNOCKING SOUND THAT THE MECHANIC COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG ALTHOUGH HE COULD HEAR THE SOUND, AND NOW THE CAR WON'T START AND AFTER SEVERAL DAYS OF TRYING THEY CAN'T FIGURE IT OUT. I OBVIOUSLY WANT THE CAR FIXED, BUT I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO KNOW IF OTHER OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THESE PROBLEMS. *AK

TRANSMISSION SWITCH ALSO FAILED THIS YEAR

THE BATTERY EXPLODED UNEXPECTEDLY WHICH CAUSED ACID TO SPRAY ONTO THE ENGINE AND BURNED A HOLE. THIS COULD HAVE A CAUSED A FIRE. COMMON PROBLEM. *AK

WINDSHIELD WIPERS COME ON BY THEMSELVES AT RANDOM WHILE DRIVING

WHILE TURNNING THE KEY TO START VEHICLE THE BATTERY EXPLODED UNDER THE HOOD. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

FAN RELAY CONTINUED TO ACTIVATE THE FAN AFTER THE IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF CAUSING THE NEED TO REPLACE 3 BATTERIES STRANDING THE FAMILY EACH TIME. DEALER ASSURRED ME THAT THIS DIAGNOSIS WAS HARD TO PIN DOWN DUE TO THE INTERMITTENT NATURE OF THE POWER DRAIN. NUMEROUS OTHER ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS HAVE OCCURRED WITH THIS VEHICLE, INCLUDING WIPER MOTORS AND SWITCHES, AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCK SOLENIODS AND VENT WINDOW MOTORS.

WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE STALLED OUT DUE TO A SHORT IN WIRING HARNESS. VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT DEALER FOUR TIMES FOR REPAIRS, AND DEALER COULDN'T DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK

THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM THAT HAS OCCURRED TWICE. EACH TIME THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WHILE IN MOTION AT APPROX. 25-30MPH. THE FIRST TIME, THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER WHILE SLOWING TO MAKE A TURN ONTO AN ADJACENT STREET. THE SECOND TIME OCCURRED WHEN STARTING TO SLOW DOWN FOR AN INTERSECTION. DURING THIS OCCURRENCE THE VEHICLE STOPPED RUNNING, THEN SEEMED TO RESTART RESULTING IN AN ENGINE RACING CONDITION. DURING EACH OCCURRENCE (NO POWER OR STALL THEN RACE CODITION) THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DIFFICULT TO HANDLE AND COULD HAVE RESLUTED IN AN ACCIDENT. AFTER THE FIRST OCCURACE THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALER. THE TPS SENSOR WAS REPLACED AT THAT TIME. AFTER THE SECOND OCCURRENCE THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT BACK TO THE DEALER AND AFTER MUCH DIAGNOSIS, THEY HAVE PROPOSED TO REPLACE AND 5V WIRE IN A POWER HARNESS AND/OR REPLACE THE COMPUTER CONTROL MODULE. ALTHOUGH THIS SEEMS LIKE A COSTLY TRIAL AND ERROR PROCESS WE HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED THAT THERE ARE NO OTHER ALTERNATIVES TO SOLVING THIS PROBLEM SO WE HAVE ELECTED TO DO BOTH. *AK

THE LOCATION OF THE WIRING HARNESS WHICH IS TOO CLOSE TO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD CAUSED THE WIRING HARNESS TO MELT, RESULTING IN THE COMPUTER MALFUNCTIONING, ETC.*AK.ET.

WIRING HARNESS FAILED DUE TO SHORT.

WHEN THE IGNITION WAS TURNED ON THE BATTERY EXPLODED. THE DEALER HAS REPLACED THE BATTERY. *AK

THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT BATTERY EXPLODED WHEN I TURNED ON THE IGNITION.

WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE THE BATTERY EXPLODED, CAUSING FUMES AND ACID ALL OVER THE VEHICLE. DEALER SAID IT WAS A DEFECTIVE BATTERY. CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER REPLACED BATTERY. *AK

VEHICLE PURCHASED WITH 24,000 MILES AND WE HAVE OWNED IT FOR LESS THAN A YEAR. AT FIRST REPAIR THE ENTIRE COMPUTER SYSTEM WAS REPLACED: PROBLEMS REOCCURRED IN LESS THAN 2 WEEKS; SECOND REPAIR, REATTACHED FUSE PANEL AND COMPUTER: PROBLEMS REOCCURRED IN APPROX. 2 WEEKS; THIRD REPAIR, REPLACED STARTER SWITCH: PROBLEMS REOCCURRED WITHIN 2 DAYS.

DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 15-20, ENGINE WILL DIE DUE TO THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE. THIS IS A INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. DEALER REPLACED ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE. *AK

DESIGN LOCATION OF ELECTRICAL WIRES CAUSED THEM TO BE CUT BY THE FAN BLADE CAUSING THE CAR NOT TO START.

HORN FAILED.

BATTERY FAILED.

ENGINE STALLS ON FREEWAY WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSED CRASH, REARENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. DEALER HAS NOT DUPLICATED PROBLEM AFTER SEVEN TIMES, NO REPAIRS. *AK

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE, CAUSING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS, RADIO AND DOOR LOCKS TO ACTIVATE THEMSELVES ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY. THE CAR IS ALSO HAVING TROUBLE STARTING BECAUSE OF ELECTRICAL FAILURES.

WIRING HARNESS ROUTED UNDER BATTERY, CAUSING BATTERY ACID TO EAT THROUGH WIRES.

DEFECTIVE ELECTRONIC CHARGING SYSTEM CAUSED OVER CHARGING OF THE BATTERY. THIS CAUSED SULFURIC ACID TO SPEW FROM THE BATTERY SPILLING ONTO THE MAIN ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESS THAT IS ROUTED UNDER THE BATTERY. THERE WAS A COMPLETE FAILURE OF ELECTRICAL ITEMS.

FRONT/REAR WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL SHORT.

BATTERY FAILED.

BATTERY FAILED.

ELECTRICAL FAILED.

COMPUTER FAILED.

INTERMITTENT STALLING. *AK

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILS WHEN VEHICLE IS NOT WARMED UP SUFFICIENTLY, CAUSING LIGHTS/TURN SIGNAL/POWER WINDOWS/RADIO/ AIR CONDITIONER TO BECOME INOPERATIVE.