1998 Caravan 3.3 Electrical Problems
#1
01-13-2011, 12:48 PM
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Olive Branch, MS
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1998 Caravan 3.3 Electrical Problems
Hello everyone.
I am new to this forum and I am having problems with a 1998 Caravan. Last week the brake light started coming on intermeitently an last friday the battery light came on for about 10 minutes. Last night i was driving home and the battery light and brake lights both came on at the same time. I made a stop before home and the van cranked right up with no problems. This morning i went out to let the van warm up before laving for work after between 5 and 10 minutes i looked out to check on it and my hedlights were flashing even tho the light switch was not turned on. I walked out and got in the van and my dash lights were also flickering and the dash was going crazy. I turned the van off and tried to restart but it would only click. Since then i haven't messed with it. I just carpooled to work.
My main question is:
Does this sound like it could be and alternator or battery problem?
I have spoken to a mechanic I know and a alternator repair shop and they both seem to think I have a bad ground or short in the system. Does this sound like a possible problem?
Has anyone else experienced the same problem?
I am new to this forum and I am having problems with a 1998 Caravan. Last week the brake light started coming on intermeitently an last friday the battery light came on for about 10 minutes. Last night i was driving home and the battery light and brake lights both came on at the same time. I made a stop before home and the van cranked right up with no problems. This morning i went out to let the van warm up before laving for work after between 5 and 10 minutes i looked out to check on it and my hedlights were flashing even tho the light switch was not turned on. I walked out and got in the van and my dash lights were also flickering and the dash was going crazy. I turned the van off and tried to restart but it would only click. Since then i haven't messed with it. I just carpooled to work.
My main question is:
Does this sound like it could be and alternator or battery problem?
I have spoken to a mechanic I know and a alternator repair shop and they both seem to think I have a bad ground or short in the system. Does this sound like a possible problem?
Has anyone else experienced the same problem?
#2
07-21-2012, 10:41 AM
Registered User
same issues
Just after replacing the battery and starter.
Several days passed and the battery light started coming on. Soon the ABS light would come on and the radio would die. If I more, the battery would drain further... which is what makes the lights flicker, transmission shift, and ultimately the van will stall out, leaving insufficent power to even run the flashers effectively.
I have replaced the alternator (twice), and had the computer checked out (the unit next to the battery). The auto computer repair specialists said the unit tested okay and that the internal voltage regulator was not the source of my problem. An "on vehicle" alternator test indicates only 8 to 12 amps of charging, insufficient to maintain the current needed to run all the systems. But when removed and bench tested at the shop the alternator passes. The batterty does NOT drain when the car is shut off.
Assuming you've had the caravan fixed over this period of time what was your problem?
Several days passed and the battery light started coming on. Soon the ABS light would come on and the radio would die. If I more, the battery would drain further... which is what makes the lights flicker, transmission shift, and ultimately the van will stall out, leaving insufficent power to even run the flashers effectively.
I have replaced the alternator (twice), and had the computer checked out (the unit next to the battery). The auto computer repair specialists said the unit tested okay and that the internal voltage regulator was not the source of my problem. An "on vehicle" alternator test indicates only 8 to 12 amps of charging, insufficient to maintain the current needed to run all the systems. But when removed and bench tested at the shop the alternator passes. The batterty does NOT drain when the car is shut off.
Assuming you've had the caravan fixed over this period of time what was your problem?