2002 Dodge Grand Caravan: windshield wiper failure

Filed Jun 25, 2015 · Electrical · 165,000 miles · NY

The date and mileage are approximate, but this has been happening since last fall (2014). When placing the key in the acc position everything works. After starting the motor, many times the wipers, radio, power windows and internal fan will not come on for as little as a few seconds or as long as an hour. It does not to always happen, but very frequently it does. It sometimes seems to be weather related... Heat, cold, raining or snowing when this happens. The danger is shutting the vehicle off especially on a rainy/snowy day, being away from home and the wipers will not work when re-starting the vehicle. I have had the fuse and computer units changed (total fuse power box replaced new about 1-1/2 years ago which I was told was an upgraded better sealed unit and the computer attached in front of it replaced with a used one about 1 month ago) but the problem still exists. It is my opinion this is a dangerous safety issue since it concerns the wipers not able to work. I know which fuse operates them and have tried replacing it, but this is not the problem. The problem is, it will not click on until what ever is causing it not to decides to let it come on. I believe this is a serious safety issue that should be addressed by dodge and not be an expense to myself or any other owner who has this problem. Thank you for hearing my grievance.

Filed May 11, 2010 · Electrical · 170,000 miles · TN · fire

While going to pick my children up from school, the windshield wipers started going off by themselves and the radio started changing channels. The van quit and smoke began to come from out from under the hood. Upon opening the hood, noticed a fire on wires below. Fire was put out but children were in the van.

Filed Dec 1, 2007 · Visibility · 104,000 miles · NJ

Windshield wipers came on without cause or warning and will not turn off even with ignition off and key removed. Had to remove fuse and disable wipers to drive car and keep battery from discharging.

Filed Dec 28, 2006 · Electrical · 76,620 miles · WA

1) 2002, dodge grand caravan, "sport" edition with v6 3.3l engine, 76,600 miles. Wife went to work and parked van as usual. 2a) co-workers noticed the van's wipers were on; van had started all by itself after being parked with ignition turned off, key removed, and doors locked. To get the engine stopped again, van was put into gear and turned off, then put into park to remove key. This happened several times that day. 3a) wife took van to chrysler dealer where it was purchased. Dealer charged 3 hours of troubleshooting labor and only found that the ABS cab was in need of replacement. Dealer ordered ABS cab. Dealer could not find cause of the startup/running with no key in ignition. 2b) 6 days later (dec. 21, 2006) van would not turn off after driving ~300 miles. Also, this time all the accessories such as the cabin fans, radio, wipers, and interior lights came on even after the key was removed from the ignition. All accessories except interior lights could be turned off with their respective switches. +battery cable was disconnected to get lights off. Van worked fine for the next 3 days. Dec. 24, 2006, van would not stop running once on the return trip after key was turned off. After arriving home and van was parked with engine off, all accessories came on, by themselves, after a period of time. +battery cable was once again disconnected to prevent further malfunction. 3b) another appointment was made for jan. 4, 2007 to replace the ignition and/or the key cylinder switch at the dealer.

Filed Feb 22, 2005 · Electrical · 38,000 miles · NH

I purchased a 2002 dodge grand caravan new. Over the last year I have had multiple electrical problems. The problems caused basically two effects. The first one was that the vehicle would shut off and either not start or have difficulty starting. The second was that every time you step on the brakes, the wipers, heat, and radio would quit.at first the dearler bonneville & son could not find the problem even after putting a scope on it at the exact time the trouble occurred. I took it to an independent shop and they found a grounding stud in the door jam on the drivers side was very loose, $250.00 later it was ok. After a month the trouble came back. This time the dealer, bonneville & son found that one of the wires in the main wiring harness was rotted, $215.00 later it was ok. Another month gone by, having the same trouble again. Bonneville says the only way to be sure to fix this completely is to replace the whole main wiring harness at a material cot of $1400.00. I've tried to get crysler and the dealer to fix this with out me spending more money on rotting wires in a vehicle that's just three years old. They would not. I will never by a chrysler product again!!!

Filed Jan 8, 2004 · Brakes, Electrical · NY

Where to start, since the dau we bought it in 7/02, we have brought it in 3 times for faulty windshield wiper problems, we lost powering steering (thank god my wife was not driving it with our two small kids), the rear hatch didn't work and it took 3 months for us to finally get it fixed, we have to replace the brake pads at 14,000 miles, and just recently the alternator had to be replaced. Now there is a problem with the brakes they make a horrible sound when pressing on them and is going into the dealer again next week. My wiper refuses to drive the caravan that we bought so it would be easier for her with the kids, but she feels that something else is gonna go wrong. We wrote a letter to chrysler and they responded "we're sorry for the inconvenience". (the date of the first incident listed below may not be exactly when it happened, the paperwork is at home.)