Terrible squealing noise in belt area. Dealer charged ~$250 for belt and tensioner replacement and noise was greatly reduced. Several years later the noise returned and grew even worse. Replaced the worn belt and noise was greatly reduced for about two weeks. After the noise returned, removed the belt and checked all pulleys - found no problems. Replaced tensioner and idler pulleys anyway (~$20 each from dealer) and reinstalled belt. Noise was reduced for about two days. Took van to dealer who said that it was the tensioner and were surpised that it had lasted as long as it did. I purchased and installed a new alternator, power steering pump and tensioner. The noise was greatly reduced, but returned full force within a couple of days. In desperation I turned to belt dressing as a possible solution since I had cleaned all of the pulleys prior to belt reinstallation. When the belt dressing was sprayed on the tensioner pulley the sound disappeared for a few seconds, then returned. Belt dressing had small or no effect when sprayed at other locations along the serpentine belt.
1997 Dodge Grand Caravan: grinding or squealing brakes
7 of the 572 complaints about the 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan describe grinding or squealing brakes.
- owner complaints
- 7
- of this car's complaints
- 1%
- recalls
- 1
Grinding or squealing brakes by model year
What owners say
1997 dodge grand caravan 3.0 6 cyl belt came off in rain storm left me stranded and missed work the belt was in one piece and got it home and had a new belt installed and pulley upper front non grooved. Again belt came off bran new belt new belt put on again belt now squealing in the back belt tension arm nor squealing belt rides the pulley l/r about 1/4 inch than back. It seems to me.
Sepertine belt and tensioner make a constant squeaking noise. The belt came off while traveling on a rainy day through a small puddle of water. When it came off, I lost power steering but was able to muscle it over to the side of the road. My wife would not have been as lucky. It was replaced (under warranty) in 1999. It is now thirty thousand miles later and it has been squeaking off and on again for quite some time. The dealer does not want to replace it again under warranty since the last one lasted for 12 months or 12,000 miles. I have a friend that had his belt and tensioner replaced 8 times before having dodge buy the van back. It is a problem, so please look into making dodge recall the faulty parts. Thank you.
Airbag light intermittently comes on and off. Cruise control off switch doesn't disengage vehicle, only if brakes are applied cruise control shuts off. Steering wheel makes a squeaky noise, but doesn't seem to affect consumer's steering ability. Dealer advised consumer to bring vehicle in to be inspected.
While traveling heard a grinding noise. It got worise when backing out . Dealer has been contacted. Please provide further information.
Transmission is locked up. Vehicle would not even roll when placed into neutral. Vehicle towed to dealer. Service department stated the transmission differential came apart causing the trany to become locked up. Transmission wouldn't move in any gear and it would make a grinding noise when the vehicle was started up an put into a gear. Replaced the transmission and flushed the cooler. Service department stated with a 3 speed transmission there is no transmission computer to run diagnostics on it - this was a mechanical failure. Cost to replace transmission with a factory remanufactured transmission $1600.54. Air conditioning unit failed. Service department stated the evaporator had corroded and cost to replace approx. $740.00. Have not replaced the evaporator yet (going into cooler weather).
Premature wear of brake rotors. When brakes were applied brakes they would grind. Dealer has replaced the rotors.
Related recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder
- What is wrong
- The master cylinder rear seal, between the hydraulic fluid and the vacuum reservoir, may not seal adequately allowing hydraulic fluid to be drawn into the power assist vacuum reservoir.
- Risk
- As the hydraulic fluid in the master cylinder reservoir decreases, the level sensor will detect the loss of fluid and illuminate the instrument panel brake warning lamp. Continued operation of the vehicle with the warning lamp illuminated can result in extended stopping distances.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the brake master cylinder on all affected vehicles. Addendum (4-14-97): vehicles inspected per chrysler recall no. 707 and found to be outside the listed suspect master cylinder date code range, must now have the master cylinder primary piston replaced (chrysler recall no. 714).
Recall number 96V215000 · Recall details
Questions about the 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan grinding brakes
Is grinding or squealing brakes a common problem on the 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan?
7 of 572 owner complaints about the 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan (1%) mention grinding or squealing brakes. The model year with the most reports is 2008.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan?
There is 1 recall and 0 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan
Airbag light 67Wipers 58Adaptive cruise 49Power steering loss 26Stalling 24Fire or smoke 21Loss of power 21Headlights 19ABS 15Transmission failure 15Check engine light 13Brake failure 12Fuel leak 11Door locks 10Overheating 9No deployment 7Fuel gauge 7Tire blowout 7Fuel pump 6Won't shift 6Coil spring 5Slipping 5Won't start 5
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