1996 Plymouth Grand Voyager: loss of power steering

Filed Jan 11, 2019 · Brakes, Fuel system · 205,000 miles · OR

Affected component: body control module the bcm controls the following: wipers, fuel pump, vehicle power and much more. During a rainy day in oregon ciry oregon, the bcm failed. The car was moving into a parking lot at less than 20 MPH. In the parking lot was a police vehicle. When the bcm failed, the vehicle lost fuel pressure and therefore engine power then power braking, power steering and the wiper control went erradic. I managed to get the vehicle stopped, narrowly missing the police vehicle. I had no power brakes, no power steering, and the wipers stopped. The bcm was to blame. Had this occurred at highway speeds, I don't like to think what may have happened!!!

Filed Dec 3, 2004 · Engine · 108,000 miles · CA

After having the water pump replaced for the third time, while driving home the pulley flew off of the water pump, went into the air, rendering the vehicle inoperable. *jb the consumer was told that the water pump pulley was pressed on to the shaft. As a result of the pulley falling off there was a loss of power steering.

Filed Oct 13, 2003 · Engine, Fuel system · 60,000 miles · NY

Over a year and 1/2, had multiple (at least 10) incidents of vehicle stalling while slowing down, at turns or traffic lights. Resulted in loss of power steering, brakes, and temporary loss of control onto next lane; luckily, no accidents. Multiple trips to plymouth dealership, all inspections and costly empirical repairs are fruitless, until ais (automatic idle speed) motor replaced (throttle body cleaned, also). The mechanic stated he had seen this problem in his own plymouth! This failure has not recurred in the 3 years since making the ais motor the likely cause of the problem. This is simply a follow-up, hopefully of some use to drivers and mechanics.

Filed Sep 28, 2003 · Suspension · 68,000 miles · NY

I have a "96 grand voyager with 82000 miles. The towers which support the front struts are both grossly rusted and fatigued. When the strut breaks through the tower it is inevitable that the tire will lock up in the wheel well causing loss of steering and vehicle control. I have contacted chrysler regarding this and they say that there is no recall for this defect.

Filed Jul 30, 2001 · Electrical, Engine · NY

Serpentine belt tensioner bolt sheared off, resulting in loss of power steering/ engine cooling/ and alternator function. Very difficult to repair as to limited engine compartment clearance.

Filed Oct 21, 1999 · Electrical, Steering · HI

Reported steering problem in jul 98. Dealer said they were unable to duplicate failure. Dealer was cutter chrysler jeep of waipahu. It has been a problem since purchasing the vehicle and seems to be getting worse. Now the steering is locking-up (intermittently) when I go over a speed bump, causing loss of steering control. The windshield wiper problem was corrected by the same dealer on 24 jul 98 as a malfunctioned switch that was on recall and they replaced it as a goodwill repair because vehicle was out of warranty by mileage only. It once agian is failing intermittently. Both of these I feel are traffic safety concerns that the manufacturer should research and correct immediately. The power distribution center I believe is intermittently shorting out and causing many small electrical problems like radio works, then doesn't, lights go on by themselves, and things like that. Once again I feel that if left uncorrected this may also pose a potential traffic safety issue. All three failures I feel are based on vehicle production line problems that may be affecting many vehicles in the same manner. Please advise on what to do. Thank you for your time and effort on my issues and concerns. Sincerely, louis c. Martinez.

Filed Oct 8, 1999 · Brakes, Electrical · NY

Engine shuts down repeatedly when decelerating; loss of power steering, brakes; may or may not restart immediately. O2 sensor, battery, ignition cables, belt drive & tensioner, 60k service, 3 service visits: problem still occurs, but less often. Twice, nearly lost control as ps & pbs failed in a turn; engine shuts down particularly while decelerating or braking, as in turns and at traffic lights. Worse when AC was on. Sounds to me as if an ignition controller shuts down under low voltage ("brown-out") conditions.

Filed Jul 30, 1999 · Steering · RI

While trying to make a right or left turn the steering wheel would make a loud noise. Also, loss of steering.please provide further information.

Filed Apr 24, 1999 · Electrical, Engine · OH

Engine stalled numerous times without warning after slowing from high speed. In each incident, stalling occurred while slowing after driving at highway speeds for extended periods (1 hr or more) during hot weather (80deg of higher). One incident involved stalling on I-95 during rush hour. Traffic slowdown caused speed decrease from approx 60mph to approx 40mph when engine stalled suddenly and without warning. Van was immediately put into neutral in attempt to restart while coasting.engine started right up but then stalled again immediately. Had to coast across two lanes of heavy traffic to get van off road. Waited several minutes to restart. Engine restarted ok. Kept foot on gas to prevent restalling. After 2-3 minutes, engine ran fine again. Latest incident involved engine stalled just after entering turn at approx 15-20mph. Van had been driven at high speeds (50-70 MPH) for approx 2hrs prior to incident. Engine stalled suddenly and without warning, resulting in loss of steering.lack of steering nearly caused accident.allowed van to coast off road. Restarted and kept foot on gas pedal to prevent restalling. After several minutes, engine ran ok. Other incidents involved engine stalling while driving into parking lots after driving at highway speeds continuously for several hours. Three dealers have attempted to fix problem by replacing computer,fuel pump,battery, and fuel tank.also tried using premium unleaded gas,yet stalling still persists.incidents occurred approx 3-4 times/year.usually no fault codes indicated by computer when checked by dealer.

Filed Dec 27, 1998 · Steering · WA

Power steering assist fails when car is operated in rain. Problem occurs during turn and belt gets water on it. Dealer contacted and I was told that this is a design defect and that nothing is being done by chrysler at this time. Without power assist, the steering is very difficult and could easily result in loss of control if the right set of conditions were present.

Filed Aug 11, 1998 · Steering · IN

Power steering failed when vehicle was driven over a puddle of water - total loss of steering.

Filed Aug 13, 1997 · Steering · NC · crash

Vehicle would momentarily lose power steering during sharp left turns.