1998 Dodge Grand Caravan: check engine light

Filed Sep 12, 2009 · Electrical · VA

I own a 1998 dodge caravan and my speed odometer, my RPM, the temp gauge, and the gas gauge pop off at least 3 times a week either I wait and eventually it will come back on or I must hit it sometimes it comes back on other times it don't. Is there a recall on this. The ABS comes on the check engine light also comes on. It is very dangerous when you have children in the car.

Filed Jan 21, 2007 · Transmission · 141,000 miles · WA

Transmission failed while going 60 on interstate. Power would come and go leaving me stranded in the middle of traffic and attempting to get to the side of the road without getting hit. The engine light didn't come on until I was pulled off the road. No prior warning of the pending failure.

Filed Sep 28, 2005 · Electrical · NJ

Consumer dash lights malfunctioned, consumer took vehicle to the dealer and they could not resolve the problem. *ts the consumer stated instrument panel containing the cluster of the engine, temperature gauge, RPM gauge, speedometer, gas tank and digital odometer began to intermittently go off and come back on while the vehicle was on. The problem began to effect the speed of the vehicle and the gas that was left in the tank, it also effected the door locks which did not automatically activate as they were suppose to. The check engine light illuminated which was due to a problem with communication between the processor and the transmission. When the consumer pick the vehicle up from the dealer,within 20 minutes, the consumer saw a thin bluish smoke coming from under the hood on the drivers side. When the consumer arrived home he inspected the vehicle, but saw no visible signs of damage to anything. The dealer has been unable to diagnose the problem.

Filed Jul 29, 2005 · Engine, Steering · 25,000 miles · DC

Dt: consumer complained about a rack and pinion steering and other problems. Consumer drove over a rough pothole with a metal flatbed on top at a low speed. While driving at a street at 25 MPH consumer made a right turn and there was popping noise in the steering wheel. The noise was evident only when turning to the left or right. Took vehicle back to dealer, who said there was a problem with front alignment , but that was all. However, insurance company noted there were problems with rack and pinion steering /front alignment/ radiator, and the transmission pan. Also, consumer noted the engine light was constantly on and it smoked after driving a long period of time. Oil was changed regularly. Vehicle has had a recent front end alignment but no other repairs.

Filed Oct 21, 2004 · TX

My elderly mother purchased a used 1998 dodge grand caravan from the local chrysler-dodge dealer in april 2002 and also purchased the powertrain care plus coverage. Not too long afterwards, the dash instruments failed to work, so the vehicle was taken in for repairs. Nothing could be found wrong and we were told to simply "keep an eye on it and bring it in when it's not working." we took the vehicle in twice more with the same problem -- speedometer, tach, oil pressure gauge -- all not working, but these last couple of times, the check engine light, airbag and ABS lights all came on and stayed on. These three times the vehicle was under this extra coverage and all three times, we were told there was nothing wrong! The last straw came on october 13, 2004 when we took the van in for the 4th time for the same problems. This time, we were told there were massive oil leaks which had sprayed oil on the wire harness, possibly causing the failure of the instrument panel. We had that repaired to the tune of over $300. Then we were told that the reason the instrument panel failed was not due to the wire harness, but the body control module (bcm) had failed. It would cost another $500 to have this repaired as it was no longer under warranty. We politely told the dealership service department we'd take the vehicle elsewhere for repairs (we've gotten the quotes, but not had repairs done at this time). It just seems strange to us that the dealership was finally able to determine what the problem was after the extended warranty had expired!

Filed Jun 6, 2004 · Electrical · 111,400 miles · CA

About three or four times a week I will lose my dash guages. The lights and upper dash light will still work but guages won't. After no set amount of time it will power back up and doors will lock down, seat belt light will come on and van will act like it just started (goes through intial start up sequence). Sometimes the van won't start. Key will be turned and van will start up and immediately stall. This will happen three times and then doesn't roll over or anything. Lately van will lock and unlock itself continually while driving, sometimes unlocking itself after alarm has been set risking the loss of valuables in the car while we are away. The check engine light comes on periodically and we take it into dealer and the computers aren't communicating so they replace wires, etc and fixes for a little while but doesn't fix the stalling problem, etc. Dealer doesn't know what is wrong and suggested replacing all wiring at $2000 but no guarantee this is causing problem. We have already spent close to $700 on new starter, etc. To no avail. On message board someone suggested when it doesn't start before it completely won't turn over to turn the key over and hit the dash as hard as possible and it worked....started right up. Suggested the circuit board is bad. Why can't the dealer figure this out. Still costs $500 to fix. We don't have the money to keep putting into van....we just bought it less than a year ago...but we can't afford to get anything else right now either.

Filed Sep 9, 2003 · Engine · FL

We purchased this vehicle used in august 2001. After two months of having the vehicle we had to replace the serpentine belt, which broke as soon as I turned a corner,(we were told the dealership, maroone toyota in weston, fl sould see nothing wrong) we then had to have the vehicle looked at as our engine light came on (we were told there was nothing wrong with the engine) within the next 2 years of having this car, we have replaced the serpentine belt 4 addiotnal times, we have had the motor in the driver door break and we cannot get that window down, we have the warning lights come on for the air bag system (which I just noted is a recall issue that I never received notice), we have just experienced the A/C breaking down, wich looks in turn that this will be a problem with the pulley or system it is attched to ( a coil problem). We have 3 small children and I must admit that this has been the worst experience that I have ever encountered with a used vehicle. We have had nothing but complications with this vehicle - I should have returned thevehicle and count my blessings, I'm afraid the next time something goes wrong with this vehicle - it may cost us ourlives. Can someone please contact me and tell me my options.

Filed Mar 28, 2001 · Engine, Fuel system · IL

Had just filled fuel tank, got inside vehicle, and smelled an odor of gasoline fumes. Engine check light came on & stayed. Took vehicle to mechanic, and ran diagnostic test. Mechanic reset the engine check light, and it came back on.*ak consumer states engine light is continuously illuminated and there is a strong odor coming from the fuel tank door.