1996 Dodge Grand Caravan electrical problems

Filed Aug 17, 2008 · Electrical, Visibility · 80,000 miles · CA

There are many problems with my 1996 dodge grand caravan. 1. The windshield and rear wipers will go on an off when they want too. Sometimes when you turn them on you can't turn them off. The back one will come on sometimes when starting the car. 2. The horn all of a sudden stopped working. 3. When my van hit around 80,00 miles the air cond. Stopped working and doesn't get cold. Took it to a place to check and they said it was a know problem with dodge. And that it would cost around 1,500.00 to repair.

Filed Jul 10, 2008 · Airbags, Electrical · 80,000 miles · CA

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.

Filed Mar 6, 2006 · Electrical · 95,000 miles · IL

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.

Filed Jan 24, 2005 · Electrical · 171,000 miles · GA

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.

Filed Sep 29, 2004 · Electrical · 105,500 miles · NY

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.

Filed Jul 29, 2004 · Airbags, Body · 500 miles · MD

Serpentine belt or tensioner clip has had to be repaired 4 times (towed every time) electrical problems since the beginning; turn the key and the windshield wipers start going, turn the key off and the wipers "keep" going, take the key totally out of the ignition and the wipers go and the "dinging" alarm that tells you the lights are on or the key is in, starts.(I seriously thought the car was possessed) or turn the key and "nothing" comes on except the engine. I've replaced the battery 5 times at least - it's usually better w/ a new battery for a little while. Have had to have the window motor and assembly replaced on drivers side twice and 5 times on the passenger side. Most recent was 4/04, which was replaced 7/04 again. The side sliding doors on both side do not lock, if you push the button down, you can't get it back up. The rear hatch is damaged from closing the door, looks like I was hit in the rear, but have not been. Check engine light was on for months in fall '03, no mechanic could say why. Wanted to get the A/C charged but it wouldn't hold a charge. Dealer couldn't figure it out. Took it to another mechanic who said the A/C unit was totally melted. Had it replaced and then the computer reset. Replaced the transmission at 100000, the "plantatary gears" were cracked. Check engine light is on again in 7/04, failed emisions, replaced o2 sensor, light still on, tack sticks and car won't accelerate at times - I can push it to the floor and it won't go?? Feels like it's choking, no power. Have a 3.8l, should have power. There is no panel/door for pass. Airbag to come out. If I ever got in an accident, what would it do...just bust through my dash? Over time, the dash on that side has gotten soft and mushy, what's that about? My dad bought the same year caravan I did, but he doesn't have the grand caravan le and he doesn't have the 3.8l and he hasn't had a single problem...I guess I got all of them.

Filed Jun 6, 2004 · Electrical · OH

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.

Filed Jun 3, 2004 · Electrical, Engine · 127,500 miles · SC

I own a 1996 dodge grand caravan with the mileage around 128,000 miles. Starting in april , we smelled and saw smoke coming from under the hood . We took it to aamco and they checked it out and could find nothing wrong with the car at that time using the diagnostics. A few weeks later, the service engine soon light came on and stayed on steadily and they could find nothing wrong with the van at that time either . The *code* they found said *oxygen sensor* but they reset it . Four days later, we were heading back to charleston (100 miles) and had made it around 40 miles on interstate going around 65-70 miles an hour when, without notice, the service engine soon light started blinking and the car completely lost power . We had to pull over on the side of the emergency lane and wait until a tow truck could tow us back to lexington ... The van was taken again to nasco where they thought the problem could be the spark plugs and wiring so they changed all that out to the tune of $400.00 plus the $80.00 for towing... Then....two days later the van was driving again to charleston on interstate and at almost the exact same spot --it cut off again !! The van had to get towed yet again to orangeburg ( closer to where it cut off ) and the mechanics there could find absolutely nothing wrong with the van !!! In town, the van does fine ...but when you are on interstate and going a high rate of speed for a prolonged period of time ...and it cuts off ---something is definitely wrong with the van !! It is very dangerous to be driving at such a high rate of speed and then losing power ..and must be addressed before a death occurs !! Last weekend , my husband took the van on the interstate again to try it out and sure enough around 50 miles out it cut off yet again with the service engine soon light on .I notice there are several other instances of this happening to the grand caravans and think it should definitely be investigated and a recall issued.

Filed Mar 31, 2004 · Airbags, Electrical · IL

While driving SRS light appeared on the dashboard and remained on. Also, horn didn't not work. Consumer took vehicle to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that the clock spring needed to be replaced.

Filed Mar 18, 2004 · Electrical · 120,000 miles · TN

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.