Three times in six weeks, the serpentine belt (which powers the power steering, alternator and water pump) has slipped off the pulleys. In one of the three instances, the drive belt was shredded. After a quick search of the internet, literally hundreds of complaints about this were found. Fortunately, in our case, there has not been an injury to date, however a loss of power steering at the wrong moment could easily cause an accident. Likewise, loss of accessories such as the alternator and water pump could leave someone stranded. On this vehicle, the belt tensioner has been replaced and the belt has been replaced three times in less than 1,000 miles.
1999 Dodge Grand Caravan electrical complaints
Page 2 of 3: complaints 11 to 40 of 61, newest first, as owners wrote them.
I have a 99 dodge grand caravan when I first got it every thing was working fine. I have had it for about a year and now the horn doesn't work, the blinkers only work sometimes, the airbag light is always on which means it isn't working. These problems are dangerous in alot of ways an airbag failing can cause serious injury. Also my blinkers only working sometimes have caused me to get a ticket and the horn not working makes it impossible to get my car inspected. The mechanic said that all these problems are related to the wiring in the dash. It is very expensive to have the whole thing rewired so I haven't been able to do it yet.
Keyswitch will not turn... Sometimes it does fine, other times it locks up. It has been happening several times a week. Fiddling with it, or hitting it, will sometimes cause it to unlock.
Tl*the contact owns a 1999 dodge grand caravan. The contact stated that the instrument panel intermittently fails. The dealer attempted to locate the failure, but two years later, the failure recurred for the fourth time. The current and failure mileages were unknown because the speedometer was the failure.
Instruments and instrument panel lights become inoperative with no warning. In the past several years, while driving the 1999 dodge grand caravan, without warning, the instrument panel lights would go off and all gauges would quit working. Usually, a smack on the top of the dashboard would bring it back, however, lately this did not work. The latest incident was on a cold, dark, wet evening with my wife driving and the children in the van. This problem results in not being able to see the speedometer nor the gear selection. I feel this is an unsafe condition that should be looked into by the manufacturer. In performing an internet search on this subject, it appears there may be a manufacturing defect with the soldering of some connectors for the instrument panel. Thank you.
Dt*: the contact stated the ignition key would not turn to start the vehicle. The nature of the failure was gradual worsening. The vehicle was taken to the service dealer, who replaced the ignition switch, which was previously changed 3 years ago.
Starter solenoid failed, stuck in "on" position. Would not shut off when engine was shut off. Clouds of acrid smoke poured out from under vehicle. I removed battery cable and towed car to mechanic. Dealer replaced starter. 67,000 miles similar to complaint #10138490.
I went out to start my car (1999 dodge grand caravan se) and it initially wouldn't start. There was just a clicking noise from the starter but it wouldn't turn over. I tried it a couple more times and it finally started. But there was an unusual rattling noise. I turned the ignition key off and the engine stopped but some part on the car kept running. I had my fiance look at it - he couldn't figure out what was going on either. It drove ok around the block but it sounded horrible. He couldn't get it to turn off completely either. After a few minutes, smoke started coming out from the front end of the car. My fiance could see it was in the area of the starter. Initially, if the car was left idling, the smoke lessened but if the ignition was shut off the smoke got worse. So we left it idling while we looked for possible ways to shut it off completely. After a few more minutes, the smoke began again and there were flames under the hood around the starter. I called 911 to get the fire department here while my fiance used a fire extinguisher to try to put out the fire. The fire department arrived after we were able to put out the fire with the extinguisher and they helped us disconnect the battery cable in a safe manner so that everything shut off. The fireman suggested we check for possible problems with other vans like ours and to file a complaint regarding our experience. They took down my information and filed a report for their response to the fire. We replaced the starter and checked all the connections for fire damage. The old starter was taken by the auto parts store so it is not available anymore. The mechanic at the store said it sounded like the solenoid on the starter was stuck in the "on" mode and that was what caused the odd noise and subsequent fire. Since then, everything seems to be running just fine.
Right park lamp and lighted instrument panel failure. Short located in wiring harness under dash near firewall on the interior side of vehicle. Dealer unable to locate short without dismantling vehicle. Delearship bybass short by jumping area where short was found using a new wire.
Positive battery cable shorted to ground melting the insulation on the cable and nearly all interconnected harness wires. Total estimate to repair and replaced damaged wires, starter, sensors, connectors, etc: $3,000+. Investigation still ongoing.. Failure resulted from design placement of positive cable in proximity of strut tower bolt. Battery location for 1999 dodge grand caravan is immediately in front of strut assembly. This cable does not include any insulation sleeve (e.g., convoluted tubing or loom) and is therefore susceptible to wear and abrasion from vibrations during driving.
D/c refused to pay for my labor on a clockspring repair.
We noticed check engine light was illuminated. Vehicle taken to firestone. Problem due to bad leak detection pump. Ldp on order but vehicle is drivable. Vehicle is driven three days. The day ldp arrives speedometer and odometer quits. Computer burned out. Ordered rebuilt computer, since no new computers available, from dodge. Vehicle is not driven 14 days waiting for computer. Firestone installs computer. Three days later check engine light illuminates. Firestone says problem due to bad ldp. Obtain new ldp from dodge but installed by firestone. Two days later check engine light illuminates. Firestone resets computer but codes keeps displaying. Firestone says problem beyond their expertise. Vehicle taken to dodge. Dodge inspects vehicle says computer burned out. Dodge has vehicle for 10 days waiting replacement computer under warranty. Dodge replaces computer and checks wiring harness for loose connections. Two days later check engine light illuminates. Dodge says computer burned out. Dodge replaces and third computer which burns out. Dodge suspects bad ldp, but rules out when informed ldp was replaced less than one month. Dodge replaces and burns out fourth computer. 26 days and five computers later, dodge says vehicle has serious problem. Dodge consults with chrysler technical who recommends replacement of entire wiring harness. We decline because not a sure fix and have dodge put the vehicle back together. Dodge disconnected wire between ldp and computer to prevent computer from burning up. Upon taking vehicle home radiator leak discovered which we replace. Wiring harness inspected by independent automotive electrical expert who said vehicle electrical problem was too much trouble to trace.
When turning a corner air bag light went on and off. Then, horn went out, and cruise control failed. Recall 02v293000 was issued for 1996 and 1998, but none for this vehicle. *ak
While driving, the vehicle stalled. The electrical devices failed to come on. The driver had the vehicle towed to the dealer for inspection. The mechanic informed the driver that a electrical shortage was inside of the vehicle and had to be placed on a diagnostic machine. Please fill in additional information.
Problems with vehicle's instrument panel, air bag sensors and associated printed circuit board modules. *mr there were problems with the PCM, the sensor failed, the engine stalled, the check engine light had come on along with the malfunctioning indicator light, the shift indicator light had gone out, the dash lights had gone out, and the odometer malfunctioned. The circuit board had to be replaced twice and the air bag and air bag light returned. The clock spring and air bag control module was replaced. The consumer requested reimbursement. *sc
I have a problem with my 1999 grand caravan, the air bag light is on and the horn will not blow, and the cruise won't work. I got in contact with chrysler and they told me they don't know of a recall. It is dangerous to drive a car with no horn, and what if the airbag comes out and cause an accident.
Air bag sensor light stayed on. As a result, the horn failed.
Well a few months ago we had electrical problems with our 1999 grand caravan. The mileage, gas gauge, odometer, speedometer stopped working while I was in the van with it running in park . It turned out by a certified tech to be a manufacturer's defect because it was a wire was rubbing on a manufacturer's weld located in the overhead compartment area. So we paid for it to be fixed $500 and no problem since. So currently we had our airbag light come on along with no horn or cruise control. So I contacted dodge like some of these sites I read said to do because some other people had theirs worked on for free and I got a email which states they will not work on either reimbursement for the one and not even for the airbag light. I am currently not driving the van because I waited for my response from dodge. Our van only has around 67,000 miles on it. I have the email from dodge if you are interested in showing how they respond.
Airbag light came on, horn doesn't work, cruise control doesn't work. Took it to the dealer said that there had been some recalls on it but not on my model...did some research and found that this is a consistant problem on the caravans including my model.
No events lead to the failure, just an immediate failure of my horn, cruise control and air bag simultaneously. I had the clockspring replaced.
While driving/idling the horn/cruise control failed to work. Air bag light illuminated intermittently. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.
The red light air bag is on,also the horn do not work,and the cruise control do not work.
Air bag light stays on. There is no horn or cruise control either. Dealer refuses to repair, saying the extended warranty does not cover any air bags or safety restraint system.
Cruise control does not work. Horn does not work and air bag warning light flashes on and off.
Air bag light stays on, horn does not work and cruise control does not work on my 1999 dodge grand caravan.
Clock spring malfunctioned. As a result, the airbag sensor light stayed on, and horn become inoperative.
My "clockspring" wiring harness that controls power to the driver-sdie airbag, horn, and cruise control has failed on my 1999 dodge grand cavan (~45,000 miles) VIN [xxx]. This is a safety issue and a clearly defective part that is involved in other recalls, yet chrysler will not replace the part for free.*ak *js information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)
When vehicle is started air bag light comes on and stays on. When air bag light comes on neither horn nor or cruise control work. Consumer feels that the clock spring is the problem, but is not absolutely sure.
About a year ago the airbag warning light came on, the horn stopped working, and the cruise control stopped working. The vehicle is a 1999 dodge grand caravan. We had the clockspring replaced just this month for a bill of $266.00. The 1998 dodge grand caravan was recalled for this very problem. It looks like the problem has not been rectified in the 1999 models.
The on my 1999 dodge caravan works intermittently.
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