I have a 1998 caravan, 129,000mi. The service engine soon light is on. Can I check for codes myself? Should I have a mechanic check the engine?

 

You can check for the codes yourself by using the key on/off method. Turn the key on, off, on, off, then on and watch the CEL flash. It will flash once, pause, twice, pause, then count the number of flashes following each pause. That will give you a number. For instance, just did mine, flashed 1,2, 3,1, 5,5. The 12 is always the beginning, the 55 means it's done. Whatever's in the middle is your trouble code. If you do this and post the code, one of us will tell you what it means and help you troubleshoot ideas to fix it. You could also take it to most any auto parts store and they can put a scanner on it and tell you what the code is.

 

seizing on Autumn Girl's concern, my 99 Caravan Sport 3. 8 with 200,000 kms has (i believe) original 02 sensors in.

there's a little too much fuel smell in the exhasuston cold start, and i'm wondering how good/accurate the electronic system is for detecting worn out 02 sensors. at that mileage should i just change them out anyway?
thanks alot,
Wayne in Calgary



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It sure can't hurt anything to go ahead and change them out. You might actually get better performance and fuel mileage if you do!

 

Hello dodge drivers!

My 1998 Dodge Caravan is flashing a "Service Engine Soon" code of 1-2-1-7-7-2-5-5.
Anybody know what that refers to?

Thank you!

 

look on the sticky's at the top of this forum, there are 3 posts for different my's of CAravans and their DTC codes.
Wayne

 

code 17 is the thermostat code, it means you engine isn't warming up fast enough. Usually a thermostat issue. code 72 I can't find, are you sure it is 72.

 

Is the "SES" light preset to go on as odometer hits 100,000 ? I have a well maintained 1996 Caravan(minivan)?

 

nope, probably have a code and sweet timing. If there is a code, you should be able to get it and let us know what it is.

 

Speaking of thermostats......I don't know if it is an isolated problem or not but I have a 2001 with a 3.3 and it wasn't heating up as much as I thought it should. I pulled the thermostat and it came out in a few pieces not as one unit, no wonder it wasn't heating up LOL