I have had my 2008 Caravan 4.0L for about a year now and it has done pretty well until now. Last night on my way home I accelerated from a stop light around half throttle I guess and the tachometer went way up to like 6K and never shifted to the next gear. As soon as I noticed this I let off the gas and let the RPMs drop to 2K or so but it still never shifted. I accelerated slightly again and the rpms climbed right back up but again no shift. After this I started slowing down to pull off and I finally felt it shift. At this point I decided to go a little further as there was no place to stop anyway but as I pushed the gas it was just barely accelerating like it was in a limp mode or maybe too high of a gear. Next thing I know I looked down and the tach was on 0, it had died. So I pulled over and put it in park. I turned the key off and back on to attempt to start it and it just barley turned over once and then started making a clicking sound like when your battery is dead. It smelt hot and there was a little bit a smoke as well from behind the engine but it dissipated quickly.
I pulled it home with my old TJ and broke out the code reader to check the MIL but it says no codes found. It has two lights on the dash now, the MIL and an ETC (Electronic Throttle Control). The battery is fully charged, reading 12.8 volts and I double checked all the battery cables but when I attempt to engage the starter it sucks every bit of juice it can get and all the dash lights go out for a second and then it starts clicking again. It’s as if the engine has seized. I checked the oil and it was 2 ½ quarts low which is far from the normal as this thing is always right on the mark. I looked it over and I do not see oil anywhere at all on the engine or under the car and it has never leaked oil in the driveway. Again, no code but I have a MIL. The van has 31K miles on it and is a few months out of the 36 month warranty. I am guessing the MIL is tranny related. This would make since as I don’t believe my reader can display tranny codes and with the given tranny symptoms of course. First I thought possible seized torque converter but that doesn’t account for the sudden 2 ½ quarts of missing oil. Any thoughts on this would be appreciated. Thanks guys.

 

remember the powertrain warranty is longer...Try turning the cranckshaft with a socket and ratchet. If it turns then engine is good may be a problem with the starter or wiring to starter. On the no shift it could be a transmission failure but first is first...turn the engine by hand and see if its not locked up.

 

I tried to turn the crank today with a breaker bar but it didn’t budge. I paid to have it towed to the dealer but they are saying since I am the second owner the power train warranty in nontransferable and the van will not be covered. No word yet on the diagnostic or the estimate but if this engine is toast at only 31K and just a few months over the 3 year warranty then they better do something because that is some BS…

 

the 3 yr 36k warranty is bumper to bumper...the lifetime warranty is not transferable but the powertrain warranty sticks with the vehicle....

 

If you send me the last 9 of the vin and mileage, I will send you the information. Send it by a pm, not on the open forum.

 

PM has been sent. Thank You.

 

Warranty status Update for 2008 Grand Caravan SXT (31,800mi.)


BASIC 36 Months or 36,000 Miles Expired (Time)
POWERTRAIN 36 Months or 36,000 Miles Expired (Time)
PERFORATION 60 Months or 100,000 Miles
EMISSIONS 36 Months or 36,000 Miles Expired (Time)
ADJUSTMENT 36 Months or 36,000 Miles Expired (Time)
AIR CONDITIONING 36 Months or 36,000 Miles Expired (Time)
EXTENDED FEDERAL EMISSIONS 96 Months or 80,000
(X25) 2008 (RT) FRT BRK 36 Months or 36,000 Miles Expired (Time)
WCC Roadside Assistance Towing Assistance Master Shield Transferable-Powertrain Warranty
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

(To Dodge Customer Care)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
To whom it may concern,

I own a 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT with 31,800 miles on the
odometer. (VIN: ****) The van began acting erratic
while accelerating from a stop sign under normal driving conditions.
The van accelerated from the stop as normal with maybe 1/3 - 1/2 throttle
but it did not seem to shift into the next gear as it usually does. I
let off the throttle and watched the tachometer drop and then slightly
depressed the throttle again. The tachometer quickly jumped to the
redline but I felt no engine pull as if the van was in neutral. I
then noticed the van had died as I was pulling off the road. I came
to a stop, placed the van in park and attempted to restart it but the
starter just made a clicking sound as if the battery was dead although
it was not. At this point the dash was showing two warning lights to
include a MIL (Malfunction Indicator Lamp) and ETC (Electronic
Throttle Control).

I had the van towed to my local dealer. (Dealer Info Here) The service center there stated the van will need a new engine and they are uncertain of the transmission
or the cause of the failure at this time. They stated I do not have
powertrain warranty on this van. I have owned and still do own several
Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep products and have never experienced an issue like
this before. A catastrophic failure of this magnitude for a 2008
model van with only 31,800 miles to not be covered under warranty is unacceptable in my opinion. As a valued Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep customer for many years it is of my belief that this issue should be covered by or at least assisted by the manufacture.

Thank You

 

(Reply from Dodge)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thank you for contacting the Dodge Customer Assistance Center in regards
to your 2008 Grand Caravan SXT.

I am sorry to learn of the problems you have encountered with your
vehicles drivetrain. I appreciate the time and effort you took to bring
this matter to my attention.

Your concerns, particularly in view of the expense and inconvenience
involved in this issue, are understandable. However, your request for
consideration in this matter must be declined, because the vehicle in
question has exceeded the time or mileage limitations of the
manufacturer's warranty at the time the expense was incurred.

 

Well that’s that I guess and I am pretty much screwed. I apologize if sharing this experience has upset anyone but now if it happens to anyone else they will know what to expect from Dodge.

Now lets us be on with it. Does anyone know where I can get an engine rebuild kit for the 4.0?