Vehicle was experiencing ongoing / intermittent problem with air bag senosr light coming on. Condsumer believed this problem causes horn and cruise control failure as well. Dealer notifed, and repaired / replaced air bag module and clock spring. Would like the federal safety agency to provide additional information on this matter.
1996 Dodge Grand Caravan electrical complaints
Page 7 of 8: complaints 161 to 190 of 197, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Transmission is leaking and the van does not back up. Starter, air conditioner, and brake pads all had to be repaired. Dealer contacted. *ak
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.
Windshield wipers come on by themselves at random while driving
Two letters dated 05/23/98 and 06/08/98 addressed to mr. Robert eaton, ceo of chrysler corp. Was sent with a repair history schedule containing 24 itemized occurences depicting the associated repair order number, nature of repair, mileage, date-in and date-out, remarks as to results, warranted repair or not, location of repair and cost if applicable. Also depicted was the number of times we repeatedly returned the vehicle for brake repair which was six times within first six months and six times regarding electrical within the first six months of possession which all is evidenced by the given information on the repair history schedule I provided with the letters. I received a response back from customer service to no avail. I would be delighted to provide you at your request a copy of both letters which includes the repair history schedule I eluded to earlier.
While turnning the key to start vehicle the battery exploded under the hood. Dealer has been contacted.
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.
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.
I purchased this vehicle october of 1995, in march of 96 the fuse block had to be replaced along with a multi function switch because the wipers would come on by themselves while I was driving, a contact and plunger kit because the right sliding door would not always unlock when using the unlock button, the fuel tank was replaced because it only held 12 gallons of gas when it was supposed to hold 18 - 20, the tank was installed so that the tank was bowed in the middle and the front door panel was reattached to the door and the left sliding door was repaired because it would not unlock with the key. In august of 1997 the switch for the interior lights was replaced because the lights would flicker, the left side sliding door lock was replaced again along with the rear door latch. In sept. 0f 97 a gear was replaced for the power steering, the left sliding door had moulding replaced because the clips were broken. In august of 98 the stereo was replaced because the treble would fade, the vehicle shut off while I was driving no one could explain this phenomenon, the relay switch was replaced and the rack and pinion was replaced also the multi-function switch was replaced again. In sept. Of 98 the car was back in the shop because the air bag light came on. Evidently when they replaced the relay switch just 7 days earlier things in the dash started working that had not worked up til that point for instance I was not aware that the chime would go off if the blinker was left on for over a mile. It took 7 days to get my car back because they found out that there were never any screws holding the air bag in the module so as far as I know for the two years that my husband and I were driving this car there was no protection by and air bag. This past week july 1, we were on vacation and we had to replace the transmission to the tune of $l771. The car is back in the shop today (7/6) because it appears that the transmission continues to slip and run at high RPM.please help!!
Soon after purchase airbag light would intermittenly come on, however, my husband had an accident in november of 98 and they did not deploy and have remained on all the time. Also, our horn and cruise quit working and still does not. We don't know if it was because of accident or body repair. We have been attempting to get our car ins. Co. To do something but to date they still haven't.
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.
Brake wheel cylinder and rotors warped.
Transmission/steering column/horn/struts/brakes/sway bars/battery/windshield wiper switch and A/C condensor failed.
When the ignition was turned on the battery exploded. The dealer has replaced the battery.
The original equipment battery exploded when I turned on the ignition.
While driving vehicle about 45 MPH vehicle stalled on the road, causing lack of acceleration or power. Dealer and manufacturer were contacted. *ak windshield wipers come on by themselves, dealer replaced multifunction switch. Vehicle would not start up and run, dealer replaced battery. Steering wheel shakes while braking, dealer machined rotors.
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.
Almost at stop hit small bump and both air bags deployed. No accident or damage to the vehicle other than the bag deployment.
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.
Uneven braking as though the rotors are out of round.
Driving at approximately 15-20, engine will die due to the electronic control module. This is a intermittent problem. Dealer replaced electronic control module.
Design location of electrical wires caused them to be cut by the fan blade causing the car not to start.
Brake shoes failed.
Horn failed.
Engine stalls on freeway without warning, caused crash, rearended by another vehicle. Dealer has not duplicated problem after seven times, no repairs.
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.
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.
Wiring harness routed under battery, causing battery acid to eat through wires.
Battery blew up, resulting in an accident. Also fuel tank leak.
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