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Comments
I'll let you know it that solved it once we get some $$ to get it looked at.
aaron
I do my own oil changes. Do I have to lube any suspension parts in the rear of the van when doing oil changes?
Could it be the struts/shock absorber?
Thanks.
Michael
Thanks, in advance for all reponses.
We now have spotty heat or lack of hot air blowing out of the vents. All vents work, all positions work on the fan switch, we get plenty of air but it will start out warm to hot then fade to cool or cold. FWIW, the engine temp heats up normally.
We have the SWB model with the 4-cyl engine, no rear outlets. Van now has about 48K miles on it.
What are some common causes I can check into?
Is this a common problem?
Thanks in advance (again)...
Monty
Thanks for any info you can provide!!!
Paul, With good air flow and normal engine temp, you have either a problem of loss of hot water flow in the heater core or air not coming through the core. I don't know this system 1st hand, but I think the air flow is cable controlled so I doubt it would change from warm to cold if the cable was malfunctioning. So I suspect a heater core that has poor hot water flow and quickly cools down.
I've had creaking noises from both sliders in the winter (I live in Minnesota), although the passenger side was the worst. When I mentioned it two years ago, the service adjuster said that was a common problem and replaced the sliding mechanisms on both doors under warranty. That was two winters ago. There was a bit of a squeak from the passenger door last winter during the really cold weather, but not a big deal.
Note: my dealer is one of those Dodge 5-star dealers. I don't know if that makes a difference, but they have always given me great service over my 11 years of Caravan ownership. I take my present van there for service even though I didn't buy it there.
BTW, we have as a beater a 1988 GC that we bought new and now has 194,000 miles on it. It was a POS in its early years with about everything possible going wrong with it but the last few years it has actually done fairly well.
brakes all around (all discs)
shocks/strusts (creaked moaned and had more play then they should have)
altrenator (new battery died twice for no reason)
water pump
various sensors (had dismal fuel economy and a tune-up did not do the trick)
other various problems (blown speaker, carpet needed replacing, etc.)
I got a brand new '02 ES MSRP 36.5k off the lot and with discounts, trade-in, and the top of the line extended b2b 7/70k warranty I was out the door for $24 plus TT.
I would have loved to keep my '99 but the cost of keping the car on the road between the impending repairs and the fuel usage was more than the payment on this new one.
I hope my '02 experience is much more pleasent than the two months that I owned my '99.
" Chrysler recalls minivans
Automotive News / November 11, 2002
DETROIT -- The Chrysler group is recalling 500,000 minivans from the 1996-98 model years to replace a steering wheel part called the clockspring.
Only vehicles driven fewer than 70,000 miles get new clocksprings. The other 1.3 million will get lifetime clockspring warranties. Off-center installation of the original clockspring makes the airbag warning light come on and, over time, causes the horn, cruise control and driver's airbag to stop working."
I called Dodge dealer and they said when I get my recall notice, I will present my repair bill and they will pay me back.
We have been very happy with this van, I would not hesitate to buy another Dodge Caravan. I know Chrysler has a very spotty quality record with a lot of you, and that is a shame.
Has anyone out there had any experiences similar to this?
I'm back with another problem on our '94 GC with 3.8 engine.
this time it's stalling and then it takes a few times to try to restart the van. it usually happens if the van has been idling for a few minutes.
i'd appreciate any troubleshooting/advice.
thanks!
arnej
To the guy worried about the transmission (aside from my minor leak!). I have the '96 which is supposed to have one of the worst trans. reputations and mine's been just fine. I work in the metro Detroit area and I don't hear many complaints from DC folks about the trannys on the newer ones.
To phartman (nice name bud) re: head gasket. We had ours replaced after it was leaking oil at about 80k miles. I think the total was around $900. It looked "easy" to replace but then again it was literally buried under a mountain of other stuff and I could see myself getting in trouble doing that job. It does seem that the head gaskets go on a fair number of the mid to late '90's DC minivans. By the way, what's the difference between a head gasket and a valve cover gasket?
Thanks all,
Rob
are you a master mechanic or where do you get all your smarts? anyway you're a blessing to us stuck with these beasts.
Happy Thanksgiving to all of you!~Aaron
I, for one, disagree. I had a 95 Dodge Stratus with 2.4L engine which started with a small oil leak on the back side of the engine by firewall. It started as a drip, and ended up with a mess on underbody. It was the head gasket and cost $550 to fix at the Dodge dealer. As usual the mechanic showed me the old gasket and said " They all do that!!! all 95-96 were doing that and in 97 they came up with a one piece gasket instead of a two piece one (small piece in a larger piece.)"
As far as batteries go, well, I think Chrysler's eat them for lunch. My van is on it's 3rd battery in 7 years. Seems it needs a new one every two-two and a half years. Never been able to find any unusual drain anywhere. I also own a '01 300M, and I know a lot of 99-00 M owners have already replaced their batteries as well.
The worst thing is that when these batteries die there is NO warning. One day it's fine, the next it's dead.
DGCS and a '99 300M (Chrysler should love me!). I have replaced the trans in the '90 twice now, first at 68,500 then again at 135,000. Kind of interesting how close the lifespan of these two units was, isn't it? The first was covered under the old 7/70 warranty and like you, I got stung for $2K to do it again. I just noticed motor oil drops under the '00 for the first time so now, I've got to investigate that. RE: Sears and batteries, do you just buy them there and put in yourself or do you pay them to swap? If so, what's their labor fee for the 300M? I understand its a bear to get at and I'm still on the OEM.
Glen.