1997 Dodge Grand Caravan: check engine light

Filed Jul 21, 2014 · Acceleration, Airbags · 106,500 miles · FL

I purchased my 1997 dodge grand caravan from a private party in 2009, and shortly after the gauge cluster stopped functioning while I was driving. Check engine and ABS lights came on which on checking with my mechanic said my ABS system is non-functional as is all other instrument related readings. A short time later, the panel came back on and worked for awhile than shut off again. Someone said hit the panel face and the gauges should come back on. I did and it did. For awhile. Over time the gauge failure interval grew shorter and shorter, and hitting the panel finally failed to return the use of the gauges. To replace this gauge cluster is an $800.00 plus repair in a shop with a rebuild panel costing over $200.00 by itself. I don't want to know what a dealer will charge. Upon further investigation, I have learned the gauge failure culprit is cold solder joints on the back side of the circuit board of the gauge cluster and is an all too common problem with this class of vehicle. This deficiency can easily be avoided by better quality control from the manufacturer.

Filed Sep 15, 2009 · Electrical · 74,953 miles · PA

My van will shut off and come back on without warning so long as your foot is on the gas. If you are coming to a stop it will shut down completely but will restart. The check engine light will come on and immediately go back out with no codes stored. The crank and cam sensor have both been replace by the dealer but didn't solve the problem. This is dangerous when going into a corner or through an intersection when it completely shuts down. This started in 2006 and is still going on.

Filed Aug 7, 2008 · Body, Electrical · 149,766 miles · NY

Tl*the contact owns a 1997 dodge grand caravan. Whenever the contact shifts, the vehicle makes an unfamiliar noise. When the vehicle is parked, it operates normally. The transmission stalls and will start back up, but it is unreliable. The vehicle would rev and have to be restarted in order for the revving to stop. If there is a power fluctuation, the rear wipers will turn on and off at random. The high beams on the headlights do not work, but the failure was repaired. The parking light on the front driver's side failed. He replaced the bulb, but it still does not work. The contact stated that he is constantly replacing the low beam lights. The serpentine belt slips off; however, it has been repaired. The check engine light flashes on and off and there is a burning electrical smell coming from the vehicle. The front strut assembly is rusting and rotting. The rocker panel on the driver's side is rusted completely. The current mileage was 186,000 and failure mileage was 149,766. Updated 09/10/08 *bf updated 09/11/08.

Filed Jul 14, 2008 · Electrical · 149,766 miles · NY

I own a 1997 dodge grand caravan se all wheel drive. My van has 185,000 miles on it aprox. And had 149,000 when purchased in 2004. I am having several electrical issues with the van from the get go to current. My front wipers will come on by them self at any given time and they refuse to shut off. I have to pull my car over and shut it down and hope when I start it next that the wipers will stay off. Just recently my check engine light keeps popping off and then back on and continues to do so. My rear A/C and heater blower works intermittently. I go through headlights like im drinking water and most recently my cigarette lighter no longer has power to it. I would like to be able to charge my cell phone in the van. I have taken the van to my mechanic and have had repairs done to correct the issues but they seem to be unrepairable. I also own a 1996 plymouth voyager that has the same very wiper issue. I have filed a complaint with chrysler.

Filed May 13, 2008 · Airbags, Engine · 80,000 miles · MA

Tl*the contact's spouse owns a 1997 dodge grand caravan. While driving 30 MPH, the check engine and air bag lights illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle has not been diagnosed. The contact received a recall notice for the clock spring, but he did not have the vehicle serviced because the dodge dealer stated that there was no need to service the vehicle since the air bag light was not illuminated at the time. The recall number was unknown. The current mileage was 101,000 and failure mileage was 80,000.

Filed Mar 12, 2008 · Electrical · 165,000 miles · MT

The instrument panel fails frequently (once or twice weekly) while driving. This may continue for several minutes to several hours. When it occurs, the service engine light also comes on while the gauges are off. This is dangerous because you don't know your speed, RPM's, fuel level etc. Etc. On occasion, hitting the dash will cause them to come back on, but not always.

Filed Apr 23, 2006 · Electrical, Lights · 120,000 miles · IA

1. Wipers turns on automatically - usually when a turn signal is on. 2. Service engine light turns on frequently with p1698 code and no other pending code. Present interval at an average of a week. Dealer cannot find the root of the problem. Found out this incident is very common as discussed in several chatrooms. Incident usually starts with ABS light on then instrument cluster dies, followed by airbag light then the service engine light. At incident, power door locks does not work. At incident, sometimes ABS and airbag light will turn off after s short drive then the instrument panel will work. 3.rear interior lights remain lit even when dash switch is off and no door ajar. Sometimes a single interior light turns on when starting engine and remain lit.

Filed Mar 19, 2006 · Engine, Transmission · 24,006 miles · MD

I purchased the 1997 grand caravan in january 1998 at the marlow heights dealership in marlow heights, maryland. The first time I started experiencing issue with the vehicle was 5/1999 at 24,006 miles vehicle had little power when accelerating, transmission not engaging, transmission had to be reconditioned. In 12/1999, there was transmission fluid leaking inside of the vehicle on the driver's side causing a very strong nasty odor. Carpet had to be replaced. This caused a hazardous condition to my family especially my kids having to breath in this fluid. 3 /2000 same fluid leaked again in auto because of defective heating coil. Then again in 8/2001 the leak happened again. This time I contacted daimler chrysler in north carolina and complained daimler chrysler agreed to repair the vehicle under what they called one consumer repair per customer per vehicle. In 11/2001, the check engine light came on 3 times. At this point, the vehicle was also due for emissions testing and did not pass the test because of a cylinder misfire code. Once I was able to obtain the funds for repair, in 5/2004 @ 118,668 miles, I decided to take the vehicle back to the dealership for the repairs. I was told that I needed to have the spark plugs replaced and that would solve the issue. So I paid $114.24 to replace the 6 .spark plugs, problem not solved I ended up paying $3,758.82 in 7/2005 to replace cylinder heads, timing belt, and water pump . This was the second time I had the timing belt replaced. Recently, in 3/2006, oil light came on. Had to replace both vc gaskets, cam plugs, both ft cam seals and rear cam seals and timing belt once again for third time. This cost to me was $2,677.50. Now the oil light is back on again.

Filed Dec 15, 2005 · Brakes, Engine · 102,000 miles · AZ

The vehicle's ABS and check engine light have been going on and off for about 6 months. We had a mechanic look into it and replaced a relay or switch that belonged to the blower motors (fans by radiator). The lights seemed to go away until a couple of weeks ago, the ABS light returned and the brakes act as though they are going to give out at any time. They have to be depressed for quite a length of time before the vehicle comes to a complete stop. There is also a weird sound of air or as if air where coming out when the brakes get depressed. I have had to add fluid once or twice a week and have been told by a mechanic buddy that there is very good chance its the brake booster due to the sound of air. I went online and noticed there were recalls for this in a couple of grand caravans but my VIN # doesn't fall into the suggested VIN range.

Filed Jul 14, 2005 · Brakes, Locks · 152,000 miles · MI

The 1997 dodge grand caravan front and rear brake pads and rotors wear out nearly every month. The vehicle begins to sway while driving 55mph on freeway or when changing lanes. The emergency brake light is on due to a leakage in the brakes. The egr valve keeps going out and the service engine light is on.

Filed Jun 22, 2004 · Body, Visibility · IN

My 1997 dodge grand caravan has been a headache since I got it. Right after I got it I had to pay $600 to get my dashboard fixed because all my gauges quit completely. Now my windshield wipers will go off by themselves even when they are off. This happens when I hit the brakes or unlock the doors or open the driver side door. My check engine light stays on all the time. We have it put on a tester and they cant find why its on. The rear end rattles pretty bad also and sometimes there is no pick up and go.

Filed Jul 1, 2002 · Brakes, Steering · MD

The power steering/power brakes have been locking/failing intermittently for the past year. Took the car to the shop in july of 2001 and was told the steering wheel problem was due to humidity and loose belts and the weather would improve the performance. Noticed that when the steering locked, I was driving the car between 5 and 10 miles per hour. Also, when steering wheel locked, power brakes would fail. Had to literally stand on brake pedal or turn off car ignition to stop car. Threw car in park and turned the ignition immediately to regain steering and brakes. Had no steering capability at all. This problem has happened about once every 2 months but seems to be getting more frequent with 3 failures in the past 2 months. Took car into dealer on 6/24/02 and they worked on it for a couple of days before deciding the problem was some part of the steering column. They could replicate the problem with the steering but not with the brakes. They replaced some component of the power steering and released the car 6/26/02. Picked up the car on 6/27/02. The next day, 6/28/02, both steering locked and brakes failed. Will have car towed to shop today. Both son and husband have also experienced this problem while driving. Son nearly hit a tree when steering locked. Said "check oil light " came on dash. Said the only way he could stop the car was the turn the ignition off while in drive. We had noticed the problem more when making a turn. Husband said the problem happened to him this past friday (6/28/02) and he wasn't turning at all. We do not see "check engine" light flashing on when this problem occurs. We are all scared to drive the car because we are afraid it will stall or the steering wheel and power brakes will fail to work at high speed.