2000 Dodge Caravan: engine stalls while driving

Filed Aug 7, 2013 · Electrical, Steering · 80,500 miles · OH

Today I was on an urban freeway in heavy downpour. The downpour was so heavy rain could be seen running off the road. Traffic was wide spread, but moving at 45-50 MPH, due to the rain. My wipers, at the highest setting, slow down. Car dings. Battery light comes on. I turn off the defroster (AC and ventilation), reduce wiper speed setting, switch from headlights to running lights, all to reduce electrical load. I then notice that the power steering has failed. It was really scary. True fear. The fear which we do not often encounter. I safely got the vehicle off the freeway. No further failure of systems. I drove the vehicle to the nearest shop I knew of, with caution lights on. I there learned that the accessory belt had come off of the engine, due to the rain. The belt was still in good condition, so they slid the same belt back on. I will have my preferred mechanic install an "anti slip" tensioner, belt, and pulley this weekend. This issue, the serpentine belt slipping off the engine in rain and snow, is known to chrysler, and known to the federal safety agency. But it was not known to me until it threatened my safety, and the safety of the motorists around me. If I had begun going around a curve while switching off accessories, driving one handed with a failed power steering system before I knew it had failed, I could have wrecked. Why one handed? Because I was turning off accessories because I didn't understand what was wrong, because the warning the car provided suggested that was what I should be doing to keep my car from stalling. I don't know why the federal safety agency decided this did not merit a recall. They were wrong. I am very thankful that money (to implement the technical service bulletin the federal safety agency won't share) can fix what went wrong today. Don't operate a gen iii chrysler minivan without a belt upgrade. We cannot control when it rains.

Filed Oct 4, 2012 · Engine · 78,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2000 dodge caravan. The contact stated that there was a loud explosion heard from the front end of the vehicle as the engine stalled. The vehicle was inspected by the contact's mechanic who located the failure at the engine belt tensioner bolt. The tensioner bolt failed and caused the engine to fail. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure and the current mileage was 78,000.

Filed Jan 12, 2006 · Transmission · 101,000 miles · ME

Dt*: the contact stated while driving at 40 MPH, the transmission failed without prior warning. The transmission pin fell out and transmission locked, causing the vehicle to stall. The vehicle received regular and routine maintenance. The road conditions were clear with no road hazards or debris. The vehicle was towed to the contacts residence. The dealer determined the transmission pin fell out without inspecting the vehicle.

Filed Dec 21, 2005 · Transmission · 54,183 miles · MI

The differential drive pin in the 41te model automatic transmission falls out , locking up the front wheels. And stalling motor. Then transmission will blow apart sending pin and fluid gears randomly.

Filed Feb 24, 2005 · Electrical · 63,765 miles · AR

Sept. 7, 2001, the battery in my one year old dodge caravan died. I asked that the cause of the failure be investigated. I was blown off. April 29, 2003, the second battery died. I was out of warranty at this time and again I asked that this issue be investigated. Nothing was done. Each time before the battery died, the alarm system on my car would act flakey. When this started happening again, I asked landers chrysler to look at it. They found nothing. A few weeks later, I was driving down a hill with a curve when the engine died without warning. I lost my power steering and brakes and nearly hit a mail box. I was able to start my car and continued but nearly hit a car in the middle of the turn when it happened again because I was not able to turn sharp enough. I was lucky in both cases that I did not hit anything or any one. Landers eventually located the problem, a faulty evs module. I contacted chrysler but they have refused to repair the faulty equipment because I now have 63,800 miles on my car even though evidence indicates the problem existed when I bought the vehicle. Landers told me I could disable the device by pushing a button on the dash that deactivates the anti-theft device. I was lucky that I did not have an accident, certainly the potential was there. I did a search on some auto forums and found several people who describe very similar problems to mine and others who complain about suddenly stalling. I have no idea how widespread this problem is. I do know that it took some time to determine the problem with my car. I think this matter should be investigated because anytime a driver loses control because they can not steer or stop, other drivers, property and pedestrians are in damages.

Filed Dec 2, 2004 · Engine · 45,000 miles · GA

While driving at any speed vehicle stalled. Consumer restarted the vehicle. Dealership was unable to resolve the problem.

Filed Nov 15, 2004 · Engine · 58,000 miles · MD

The vehicle stalled while driving. The check engine light came on prior to the vehicle stalling. A diagnostic test was performed, but no failure code was found. The cause of the vehicle stalling was not determined. *ak on other occasions the vehicle would stall when making turns.

Filed Mar 23, 2004 · Transmission · 39,000 miles · PA

While driving the automatic transmission outer case ruptured and the transmission blew out. When this occurred the van stalled without warning. The cause of the transmission failure has not been determined. *nm the differential pin which broke and came out through the case. Service dealer have made diagnostics and repairs on transmission on the vehicle.

Filed Mar 3, 2004 · Transmission · 51,350 miles · IL

While driving, the vehicle stalled. The consumer had the vehicle towed to the dealer for an analysis. The consumer was told the transaxle drive pin had sheared off and had blown completely through the transmission and the housing.*ak the transmission and the differential had to be replaced.

Filed Jan 23, 2004 · Engine · NC

While driving, the belt tensioner failed without warning and caused the vehicle to stall. Please provide further details.

Filed Nov 18, 2003 · Electrical · 73,000 miles · NC

While driving 40 MPH entire electrical system failed, causing vehicle to stall.

Filed Nov 7, 2003 · Acceleration · SC

While driving 65 MPH vehicle stalled. The driver was able to restart the vehicle, and drove to dealer. The mechanic noticed that the idle control sensor needed to be replaced.