1996 Dodge Caravan: windshield wiper failure

Filed Apr 12, 2009 · Acceleration, Electrical · 18,000 miles · IA

Bcm-1, (warranty) loss of dash functions 1996: bcm-2 estimate $1200 replaced chrysler p/n p4686727 lost 95,000 mile odometer for a working bcm from junkyard (2001), bcm-3, lost fuel gauge and speedometer bcm from junkyard fixed p/n p46867(2006) bad windshield replacement leaks water into cabin, bcm-3, failed again currently no wipers, not able to find a 1996/1997 bcm only 1998 plymouth voyager bcm p/n p04801062ae. Will try to validate compatibility tonight. Adel chrysler estimate $1,400 plus labor. Already gave them $742 for tune up and trouble shooting what they said was a bad multi-switch ($110) did not fix and no discount for not knowing how to diagnose a problem properly. Their number is 515‑993‑4587 cory (karl is the service manager-owner's son).

Filed Mar 27, 2006 · Electrical · 144,345 miles · CA

In 2003 bcm replaced for my windshield wipers would not operate. Over $600 . Last year my battery cables and battery were smoking and I was lucky I got to the dealer just in time as black smoke was gushing out from under my hood.... Another $600 repair. In january 2006 electrical system craziness. Check engine light was on and it could not be smoged. They reprogrammed the module and I was able to get it smoged 2 days later the check engine light came on and the car would turn over and die ....I returned and was told I needed a PCM module replaced $719. Getting the car back was one electrical mishap after another....the gauges went crazy...taken back to dealer....reprogrammed ....and then told they were not sure how to fix it...then got the car back and the clock and radio intermittently went on and off.. The computer shutting down and not allowing the remote to open the locks using the key the alarm would go off and I could not shut it off until the computer came back on and I could use the remote....I was then told by the service manager that I needed a body control module(bcm) which I replaced in 2003. He was nasty and rude. I told the general manager I really did not believe they knew what they were doing ....for each time I brought the car in with one problem they returned it to me with another. He could also not guarantee that if I paid another $550 for a new bcm that it would solve all the problems.... ...after 6 weeks and four trips to the dealer having my car over 2 weeks I was frustrated and angry....and after reading on the internet countless other dodge caravan owners have the same problems I am outraged dodge has ignored its responsibility to its consumers. .when I dropped it off the clock, radio, locks and alarm were the problem..but an hour after I picked it up it started raining and guess what....the windshield wipers were not operating.

Filed Jun 12, 2005 · Electrical · MN

The cruise control,and horn began malfunctioning about 6 months after I bought my used mini van. I now have no horn or cruise and air bag is is dought. I have heard that the clockspring in the 1996 dodge vans have been defective. I need to know if the new ones have been inproved, or if they or going to be replaced as a matter of safty. Also from time to time the wiper blades come on and go off by them selves. And one time the radiator fan came on the middle of the night by it self and drained the battery dead. I also have a simmy in the front end at 35 to 45 miles per hour.

Filed Mar 10, 2005 · Visibility · MN

Windshield wipers will suddenly cut off . At times, not working at all. The cause of this was undetermined.

Filed Jan 12, 2005 · Visibility · MN

Windshield wipers do not function properly; intermittent mode will sometimes run constant, or will stop completely in the middle of the windshield and will not immediately come back on. Twice, in the past month, I have had to abruptly pull off the road because of not being able to see through the windshield. This is extremely dangerous and will most certainly cause an accident at some point in time, if it already hasn't. The dealership (white bear dodge, in mn) suggested I replace the multi function switch, which I did and paid $273.45, but it did not correct the problem. Also, after very little time researching this exact problem via message boards and forums on the internet, it is quite apparent to me that this is a common problem on many year, makes and models of dodge/plymouth/chrysler mini vans. I purchased this car in nov. 2004 and have experienced this problem each time it has rained, or snowed.

Filed Nov 17, 2004 · Visibility · 150,000 miles · PA

While driving, the wiper stopped working. Upon turning the windshield washer on, they will work for a minute and then stop again. The consumer has made several repairs which has not corrected the problem. Please provide any further information. *jb the consumer stated that traveling at 65 MPH in a rain storm was dangerous. Problem still exists.

Filed Jul 26, 2004 · MO

Windshield wipers would come on by themselves under any weather conditions. Later the winshield wipers would not come on when it was raining. After pulling over turning the vehicle off and restarting the wipers would come back on. Current status is that the wipers will not come on at all, even after shut down and restarted. We were stranded for over 2 hours waiting for the rain to let up. I took the vehicle to the dealer and they replaced the "body control module". This is over a $300 part. I researched online and there are hundreds of complaints about this problem. This should be a safety recall.

Filed Jul 7, 2004 · Electrical · 60,000 miles · NH

1996 dodge caravan suffers from intermittent "body control module". One of the possible symptoms of this failure is random failures of the windshield wipers. This failure is unpredictable and apparently widespread over several model years. The body control module is replaceable only at chrysler dealers who charge over $700 to replace this module. They have contracted with some national service facilities to repair the modules (including "united radio" in syracuse ny) but these service facilites are contractually prohibited from performing repairs on modules submitted by anyone except daimler-chrysler. This failure is dangerous and daimler/chrysler is using it as a cash-cow instead of repairing it at no charge.

Filed Jun 23, 2004 · Visibility · 70,000 miles · 00

Windshield wipers intermittently turn on by themself while driving. This occurs more frequently when the turn signal is engaged. Dealership urged consumer to replace the wiper motor arms and the bcm. The failure progressed, and currently the windshield wipers were inoperative. Tsb 083198a was issued.

Filed Apr 27, 2004 · Visibility · WA

Vehicle was taken to the dealership three times for the windshield wiper switch to be repaired. *ph the wipers would come on when the left turn signal was used. Over time the problem got progressively worse. *ph letter was forwarded to the federal safety agency by cpsc.

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Suspension · OH

I took ownership of my used 1996 dodge grand caravan in 2000, and since then have replaced minor mechanical failures such as the starter, water pump, serpentine belt, tires (twice), wiper blades, bulbs, brakes (twice) as well as the rotors. At present I am dealing with the following problems: peeling paint, wipers engaging and not going off even though they are not turned on, hard jerks every now and again (possibly from transmission), and the breakage of a stabilizer bar bushing in the front suspension.

Filed Oct 25, 2003 · Visibility · 50,000 miles · CA

The windshield wipers come on by themselves. This can occur at any time, and sometimes, but not always, is triggered by the turn signal switch.