So I picked up a used GC Crew just last month with 17K miles. Before we had a 2005 T&C LX, and once in a while the lighting system both interior and exterior would flicker like mad. Soldering the battery wires securely to the battery terminal connectors finally fixed the issue. Although to this day I still believe the latent issue was still there, that being that the battery cables used in these vans is not of a large enough gauge to handle the amp load.

Now on the 2011, the interior only lights have started flickering. At first it happened when we were driving back from LA to Phoenix a few weeks ago. Then it stopped completely until yesterday. Now they are flickering again at random.

It was at the dealer last week for a bumper issue (we had them agree to realign it since it was slightly off), and I brought up the light issue. They have ordered a new headlight switch and will replace that.

I've read about this issue on older GC and T&C models, and the headlight switch was discussed. Some said it fixed the problem, others said it didn't. I hope it does as I'd hate to have to keep running it back to the dealer.

Has anyone else had issues with the current gen GC or T&C?

 

Headlight switch is a common problem with this van. But i've also seen poor Terminal connection at the Dash connector above the driver's left foot as well. Causing Interior light not to work. If headlight switch doesnt fix the problem, might be an area to inspect.

 

That sure rings a bell. That fix was thrown around the forums a couple of years ago. Worked for some. One guy had changed everything under the sun but wound up adding a second cable from the positive battery post to the IPM connection. Just piggy backed them and it fixed his flickering.

Can you be more specific? When it consistently flickers is the flickering random or more cyclic? In other words, is it acting like a loose ground or power connection (random) or something more power generation related (cyclic). If it's cyclic does engine RPM effect it?

I'll second the switch. Some have had success. Hope you're in that group.

 

On the old T&C, it was random. But when it started doing it, it did it constantly. It was very annoying since it was also flickering the exterior lights as well, and night driving was embarrassing.

Pretty sure it was the battery cables on that. The first time it went to the delaership, they shot the terminals with a temp probe and they were 140°. What was happening was when they got hot like that, it would cause symptoms like a bad ground. They soldered the wires to the terminal connectors, and everything was good for a year.

Then they started doing it again, and they resoldered the connectors even better. That was last July, and it worked fine until we traded it in last month.

With the new van, it's only doing it to the interior lights, but not the exterior.

 

OK, I'm still having this issue. So far Dodge has replaced both the headlight switch and the dimmer switch assembly.

Due to go back in next Friday. I will tell them about the terminal connection that steak suggested above.

 

Atually, I change my mind, lol.
If it is still under waranty, I would throw a TIPM (central eletrical distribution center) at it. TIPM are known to cause some weird electrical problem.
O yeah, I think they are in national back order when I check few days ago.

 

OK, thanks. I'll bring up the TIPM too.

 

OK, so the van went back in again on Friday. After they worked on it a few hours, they told me they went ahead and replaced the dimmer switch. Wait, what? They were supposed to have done that LAST TIME I was in there.

Turns out all they did last time was pull apart the switch and then reinstall it, not replace it. This time they took one out of a new van just delivered. So they got it installed and took it for a drive for a bit and said all seemed well. They also checked the wiring harness above the left foot, and the TIPM for trouble codes, but said they saw no issues.

I get in the van, turn on the headlights, then work the dimmer switch, and OF COURSE there's still a problem. I immediately walk back in and hand the van back to them. This time they said they were able to do an electrical diagnostic while the lights were acting up (I would have thought they would have done this the first time), and the verdict now is that the cluster needs to be replaced.

So it's going back in again, but this will be the last time. Not only will I suggest they change the oil for free for having to make so many trips there (we have 6K miles on it since purchase), but if it doesn't get fixed properly this time I'm going right to the dealership GM and demanding a replacement vehicle. This has gone on long enough.