Hello Everyone,

I have a question. I have a 97 Dodge Grand Caravan 3.3L with 210,000 miles. I love it. I take very good care of my van. But in the last month, I've had to replace two speed sensors, powertrain computer module, stablizer link bushings, and a belt. I would like to know how many owners of this model have had to replace the powertrain computer module? Please let me know.

thanks,
Sharon

 

As of lastnight I am retiring my 97. New tranny 18 mths ago. 4 speed sensors. Had the last 2 (which I kept) tested and there was nothing wrong with them. Electrical specialist place told me my speedsensor fault traced back to the TCM. So, I bought a new one and put it in Saturday. 10miles (or less ) later speed sensor code, then TCM malfunction code, then incorrect gear ratio code. Same ones I was getting before. I've had it! I've got about $11k into a van I've put 60k miles on. Time for a new piece of junk....

 

Cardinal13 - I have nearly 150K on my 97 Carvan, no problems with the PCM. Hopefully mine will take me to as many miles as you have with only a few more sensors, belt, and some suspension parts. I say that seriously because breaking the 200K mile mark is a milestone for almost any vehicle. Concerning the PCM, they can go bad, but I would start checking out all the ground wires where they connect to the body and engine before swapping out the computer. A bad ground can cause havoc, possibly giving symptoms of a bad PCM.

Floorslay1 - I see in your signature you mention a broken differential pin. I was wondering if the pin flew out and blew a hole in your transmission case? I've seen two cases like that at a transmission shop. The shop owner bought a Caravan himself and soon afterwards fixed his transmission so that never happens. He recommended that we do the same thing to mine. Basically, there is a kit you buy with two shields that bolt fast to the differential and keep this pin from flying out. I helped him do that on my tranny. You can do it without removing the transmission, but it isn't easy. You need to drop the pan, remove the front engine mount, and rotate the engine and tranny so you can pull off a cover on the rear of the tranny. I would recommend all Caravan owners have this done, its cheap insurance compared to ruining your transmission.

 

I've only had one pin totally grenade the case (while my wife was driving it). the other 3 just slowly ate through the case after they broke. My last 2 fixes were to weld the pin in (seriously...and never had probs with those trannies after) I Just cant believe all the years of that ****-poor design chrysler never did something to fix it. Last wear through we did just what you mentioned with the tranny still in the vehicle and yep it was tight but doable