1998 Dodge Grand Caravan: engine overheating

Filed Oct 7, 2012 · Electrical, Engine · 140,000 miles · CO

When my van is in stop and go traffic the radiator fan fails to turn on to cool the engine to help it cool. Also it overheats at random in hot weather. My van uses a lot of coolant/antifreeze because of this. I have had the radiator replaced and pretty much everything else that is associated with the cooling system in an effort to fix this, but to no avail. Because of this I don't drive much as if it overheats I am stranded.

Filed Nov 9, 2011 · Engine · 108,000 miles · IL

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 dodge grand caravan. While driving approximately 45 MPH in rainy weather, the steering became difficult to maneuver and the brakes would not respond when depressed. The vehicle began to overheat and was driven to an independent mechanic for inspection. The mechanic advised that the serpentine belt detached from the vehicle. The mechanic replaced the serpentine belt and the tensioner. The failure recurred one month later and the contact was able to place the belt back in place. The failure recurred five times and only when driving in rainy weather. The vehicle was not further repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 108,000.

Filed Sep 9, 2010 · Engine, Steering · 90,200 miles · MA

The serpentine belt has come off of the pulleys on multiple occasions in wet weather, including rain and snow/slush, especially when a puddle is gone through by the right front side of the vehicle. On two of these occasions, I was turning a corner when the belt came off, lost control of my steering and almost hit the car which was stopped across from me. The belt coming off also causes the engine to overheat. This issue causes a loss of control and will lead to injury or death. Chrysler claims it is not a safety issue.. There is an updated belt/pulley kit which has a double-sided-grooved belt and pulley which is supposed to correct this issue but the cost to the consumer is approx $400-500 since chrysler claims that this is not a safety issue. However, this is most certainly a safety issue considering the loss of steering control on wet roads especially if driving on the highway, as I do, where the speed limit is 55-65mph or turning a corner at an intersection where other cars are stopped.

Filed Dec 29, 2008 · Transmission · 106,258 miles · IL

While driving the rain I went through a midsize puddle due to storm drains being blocked I lost the ability to steer the battery light came on the car stopped and started to overheat. I was thankfully driving in a residential area at 25 MPH with out alot of traffic and was able to pull over right away. Because of going through the puddle the drive belt came off. When the belt slipped off it bent the suspension and spring that hold the belt tight. The belt is fairly new and the car had recently been in for service and checked over. There was no reason for the belt to come off. Can I not drive my car in the rain? If I was driving on the highway at 50mph or the road conditions were snowy or icy I may not be here.

Filed Dec 27, 2006 · Fuel system · FL · fire

As I was driving the vehicle I smelled a strong odor but everything around the vehicle seemed to work normally (no smoke or overheating present). Less than 5 minutes after the engine caught fire. The entire engine is burned, the vehicle is a total loss. Experts that looked at the engine after the fire was put off suggest a failure in the gas hose causing the engine to catch fire.

Filed Jul 31, 2006 · Engine · 103,002 miles · NC

During a hard rain shower, the serpentine belt which drives the alternator, A/C, power steering and water pump jumped off of the pulleys resulting in the loss of the power steering and the engine overheating. Had vehicle towed to a repair shop for repairs. Repair shop could not find any reason for the belt to jump off. Belt was examined and found to be in good condition. This first occurrence occurred on 12/16/2005. The second occurrence occurred on 7/28/2006 under the same wet weather conditions. The vehicle was taken to the same repair shop and checked out by the owner of the business. The belt was examined again and found not to have any sign of damage. The owner of the business replaced the belt with a new one as he could find no reason for the belt to jump off. Steering of the vehicle was next to impossible due to the loss of the power steering. I checked with the service manager at the local chrysler dealership and he said he had not had any service bulletins from chrysler on this problem.

Filed May 9, 2005 · Engine · FL

Vehicle: make : dodge model : grand caravan year : 1998 bulletin num : 98771 date of bulletin: may 01, 1998 the federal safety agency item number: 601474 component: engine and engine cooling:cooling system:fan summary: the radiator fan relay may not turn on the radiator cooling fans, causing engine to overheat. *ak ================ this problem happened to me for the first time in sep 2004. The radiator fan relay failed causing the engine to overheat. I took the vehicle to my dealer, they replaced the part and charged me over $200. This problem reocurred again in may 2005. This defective part should be considered a factory recall and would appreciate your assistance

Filed Jan 6, 2005 · Engine · 35,500 miles · 00

While driving serpentine belt disengaged, causing power steering to fail, and water pump to overheat. This happened five times. A technical service bulletin was issued on this problem.

Filed Nov 1, 2004 · Engine · 86,455 miles · GA

Iam posting the exact problem as listed under your "defects" page for my specific vehicle: make : dodge model : grand caravan year : 1998 manufacturer : daimlerchrysler corporation ervice bulletin num : 98771 date of bulletin: may 01, 1998 the federal safety agency item number: 601474 component: engine and engine cooling:cooling system:fan summary: the radiator fan relay may not turn on the radiator cooling fans, causing engine to overheat. *ak ================ this problem happened to me a little over a year ago. The radiator fan relay failed, causing the engine to overheat almost immediately. I was stranded and had to have the vehicle taken to my dealer, team dodge of stone mountain, goergia. They refused to replace the relay as a recall (a tiny module located on the side of the radiator), and charged me in excess of $150.00 to replace it. Since this has happened to me, I have been informed by many dodge caravan owners that this is indeed a common problem. I feel this defective part should be considered as part of a factory-wide recall, and would appreciate any help you may be able to offer. Thank you.

Filed Jun 4, 2004 · Engine, Transmission · 66,000 miles · FL

When vehicle is turned off the fan continues to run. Consumer disconnected the battery so it wouldn't burn out the motor. This occurs because the radiator fan relay does not turn the cooling fan off or on, which is causing the engine to overheat. To correct this problem dealership has to replace the radiator fan relay, and reprogram the power train control module as stated in the recall. However, this vehicle is not included in the recall due to VIN.

Filed Dec 5, 2003 · Engine · 86,000 miles · SC

Serpentine belt of my 1998 dodge grand caravan came off while driving down the highway. I lost ABS, power steering, radio, and the engine overheated almost immediately. My daughters were in the car and I was in heavy traffic. I could barely steer the van. I was alarmed to find that many others have had this same problem. If my wife had been driving, I'm not sure if she could have steered the van. I could have easily caused an accident/injury/death to myself or others. The belt was not frayed, the tensioner is fine. The thing just slipped off. It was raining at the time as well, making a dangerous problem almost catastrophic.

Filed Oct 23, 2003 · Engine · 57,000 miles · VA

On two occasions, both during a heavy rainstorm, the serpentine belt had fallen off the vehicle while driving at a high speed. This caused a lost of power steering, overheating and the alternator light had come on. The service could not find a reason as to why this occurred. The consumer was also told that this was common on the east cost due to the rain and snow. (model/sport) *ph *scc