Problems with my 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan

I need help. Has anyone experienced this intermittent problem?: sometimes my car will not start...the engine turns over then immediately shuts down...if i let it sit for a while it starts and will run fine for a few months then i get the same problem again...this has happened to me about 10 times in the last year...also during this failure it will not turn over when i turn the key...again - if i let it sit for a while it will run fine...Help

I had a similar problem in my 1998 Caravan in which the whole electrical system would just go dead--I couldn't even turn on the emergency flashers. After several visitsto several garages, a Chrysler/Dodge dealer's shop figured out it was corrosion in the lines running between the battery and the computer that ran the electrical system. Since then-7 months ago-- no more problem.
Good luck- I hope this helps

My 1998 Dodge grand Caravan has a leak from the windshield site which the accumulates water at the area behind the dashboard and dash compartment. already applied silicone sealant to the rubber for the windshield but water is still seeping in during heavy downpours and when the van is parked.
Water not seeping into the electronics, yet.
Any ideas on where this is coming from and how to take care of it?

Did you figure this out? I am having the same problem too. We replaced the computer and it worked for a couple days. Then stopped. Let it sit over night and then it started again. Now it is dead again.(As stated below.) My husband looked for corrosion previously and didn't see any. He will look again. But please if you have any more info let me know. Thank you.

joe vitelli wrote:

I need help. Has anyone experienced this intermittent problem?: sometimes my car will not start...the engine turns over then immediately shuts down...if i let it sit for a while it starts and will run fine for a few months then i get the same problem again...this has happened to me about 10 times in the last year...also during this failure it will not turn over when i turn the key...again - if i let it sit for a while it will run fine...Help

joe vitelli wrote:

I need help. Has anyone experienced this intermittent problem?: sometimes my car will not start...the engine turns over then immediately shuts down...if i let it sit for a while it starts and will run fine for a few months then i get the same problem again...this has happened to me about 10 times in the last year...also during this failure it will not turn over when i turn the key...again - if i let it sit for a while it will run fine...Help

try to change your ignition switch it may have deteriorated

Jason wrote:

My 1998 Dodge grand Caravan has a leak from the windshield site which the accumulates water at the area behind the dashboard and dash compartment. already applied silicone sealant to the rubber for the windshield but water is still seeping in during heavy downpours and when the van is parked.
Water not seeping into the electronics, yet.
Any ideas on where this is coming from and how to take care of it?

I am having the same problem

I have the same problem on my 1999 Dodge Grand Caravan

Jason wrote:

My 1998 Dodge grand Caravan has a leak from the windshield site which the accumulates water at the area behind the dashboard and dash compartment. already applied silicone sealant to the rubber for the windshield but water is still seeping in during heavy downpours and when the van is parked.
Water not seeping into the electronics, yet.
Any ideas on where this is coming from and how to take care of it?

I have exactly the same problem with substantial water coming in with heavy rain. front seat passenger gets wet feet, and worse, the serpentine belt slips, and shreds or comes off, leaving me without power steering, etc. I'm not even sure where the accumulation stores, as it leaks worse when I turn corners.

I have exactly the same problem, with substantial water coming in sith heavy rain. The front seat passenger gets wet feet, and worse, the serpentine belt slips, shreds or comes off. I am left without power steering, etc. three weeks after replacing the serpentine belt, it was in the shop as the belt had slipped off.

Lisa wrote:

Did you figure this out? I am having the same problem too. We replaced the computer and it worked for a couple days. Then stopped. Let it sit over night and then it started again. Now it is dead again.(As stated below.) My husband looked for corrosion previously and didn't see any. He will look again. But please if you have any more info let me know. Thank you.
<quoted text>

The photo optic sensor in the distributor controls spark and fuel.It will cause the problems as described and not show up on engine check because resting the engine seems to allow it to function properly again.This seems to happen in the 3.0L motor.

I am experiencing the same intermittent starting problem with my 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan. The dealer replaced the body control module which did nothing. The same problems happened two days later. They first said that the body control module had failed again but then decided it twas ok. Then they said it was problem in the wiring harnesses below the battery possibly damaged by battery acid. They ran a wire to bypass the harness which also did nothing to correct the problem. I am now out $950 with no solution to the problem.

I have the same problem with 98 Grand. It doesn't have a photo optic sensor. Replaced computer also starter when it first happened. I'm out over a thousand dollars. Looking to buy reliable transportation.

danny wrote:

<quoted text>try to change your ignition switch it may have deteriorated

i am having the same exact problem , when it happens to me the gauge cluster goes dead also i have changed the ignition switch and the body control module. its running for now. my next option is to check the ground wires in the dash because if i tapped the dash the problems would go away for a few days. any other suggestions for things to check would be great.

joe vitelli wrote:

I need help. Has anyone experienced this intermittent problem?: sometimes my car will not start...the engine turns over then immediately shuts down...if i let it sit for a while it starts and will run fine for a few months then i get the same problem again...this has happened to me about 10 times in the last year...also during this failure it will not turn over when i turn the key...again - if i let it sit for a while it will run fine...Help

Just had the problem in my wifes '03 Caravan, 77,000kms. It was the key reader module that was not reading the chip in the keys. They initially thought it may have been a problem with just one of the keys, except the problem occurred with both keys.

have a 1998 grand caravan with a 3.3L engine, 145,000 miles. I keep having a random problem with starting it up when the engine is hot. The van starts OK when cold but on some hot days after it has been driven for 1/2 hour or more the car will not start. The engine turns over but will not keep running. If I press the accellerator down and start the van It will rev up and then quit. If I let the van sit for 1-3 hours it will startup OK and run fine. Had it towed once to the garage, by the time it got to the garage it had cooled off and started OK. The garage checked for codes and found none. They ran it and could not repeat the problem. This problem is totaly random as to when it occurs but does seem related to temperature.

Also after 4-5 start attempts the starter locks out and will not crank the engine.
The last time this happened I pulled the battery cable for 2 minutes to see if this would reset the processor. This made no difference.

Just now having problems with electrical system on 98 Grand Caravan 223000 miles. Electric fans will not come on for radiator. The relay and fuses are good. One rear vent window will not open or close and on the Heater/AC area four lights flash on and off while driving for 15 minutes and then go off until I restart the car. I have temporarily solved the fan situation with a toggle switch to the battery. I would like to nip this in the bud without dumping thousands into a car that is one major problem from the Junk yard. Any suggestions.

I am having an unusual elctrical problem on my 1998 Caravan where all of the electrical items on my steering column are not functioning. The Horn, cruise control, and air bag light displays. Is there one relay for all items or could there be some other disconnect from the steering wheel. The horn does sound with a beep when I hit the alarm system on my keyring.

Any advice would be great. Thanks all!

I suggest the problem for you electrical, horn and other stuff not working is the clock spring, It has slip ring contacts that wear out.

Once before I had the problem of the ABS light coming on and staying on and all of the gauges on the dash dieing on my 1998 Grand Caravan (250,000 km). This appeared to have been fixed by replacing the clock spring. This problem just re-occured this morning.
The van starts and runs fine but the ABS light comes on and all dash gauges are dead.
I have no problem driving the vehical although I have no idea how fast or far I'm going or how much gas I have.
I guess I'll be getting another clock spring.