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02 Grand Caravan 3.8L salvage rebuild project

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Old Jan 2, 2013 | 03:28 PM
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Default 02 Grand Caravan 3.8L salvage rebuild project

Hi everyone.

Ok, so my wife hit a deer. Damage done to front driver's side. Insurance totaled it. I thought "rebuild?". I have owned this van since new.

Exterior needs new hood, headlight, and plastic bumper. Front quarterpanel can be reworked, I think.

Under the hood it has a busted radiator and a bent condenser. The condenser held pressure but I will replace it anyway. The transmission oil cooler is undamaged as are the associated lines.

The ECM has a busted connector but I will try to salvage it and see how it goes. The ECM and the wiring harness (wiring harness does not need to be replaced) is what busted the cap on the insurance limit.

I figure that while I am in there installing a new radiator, I'll go ahead and put a new water pump and extension tube on.

I still need to test the fan assemblies to see if they still work. The brackets are busted but I may be able to get away with some epoxy welding there.

Where does everyone like to shop for parts? Where can I find a water pump with a metal impeller?

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Old Jan 2, 2013 | 03:51 PM
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Rockauto.com and good luck. I hope the ECM didn't short out.
 
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Old Jan 2, 2013 | 09:15 PM
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There is a seller on eBay(I think it is autocomputerexchange) that is pretty sketchy to deal with for your ECM if it comes to that. NAPA is supposed to be a good source for the ECM.
 
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Old Jan 3, 2013 | 09:29 AM
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It would cost more than the van is worth, not really a good project. I'd look for another 02 that needs an engine or something like that, more worthwhile of a project to use your parts on.
 
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Old Jan 3, 2013 | 09:44 AM
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Too late for that. A project it is. My decision was arrived at due to the insurance repair estimate and knowing that I can do much of the work myself.

Why do you think it is not a good project?

Although this van was mfg in Canada, it currently resides in Ohio.
 
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Old Jan 3, 2013 | 02:16 PM
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BTW - All Chrysler Corp vans built since 2009 (ish) are built in Canada.
 
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Old Jan 3, 2013 | 04:10 PM
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Rockauto. Don't forget the shift solenoid pack while the room provides better access.

How many miles on it. I would love to have a 3.8 in my 02. Good luck.

In today's economy its kind of smart or urgent to save money. Fixing that van is no way as much as a new vehicle.

If you have the time and another vehicle to drive do it. There is a service called junkyard dog I think that you can search a network of salvage yards for parts.
 
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Old Jan 4, 2013 | 12:01 PM
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Check eBay for parts. On the waterpump, get a NEW GMB pump for around $25.
I have wiring harnesses for the PCM connector if you have the patience to change the connector. It's not hard, just time consuming. Also, I have delt with Auto Computer Exchange and have one of their units in a 96 Plymouth Voyager working just fine.
 
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Old Jan 5, 2013 | 10:56 AM
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Thanks for the tips everyone.

All torn apart. Picked up the body parts and all of the internal stuff is on order. I'll flush out the heater core just before I reassemble everything.

I was having heater issues before the deer. I used an infrared thermometer on the 2 heater core hoses and they were about ~15degrees F different. I don't know enough to know whether that is normal or not but I figure it's a good time to do a flush.

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Old Jan 5, 2013 | 11:33 AM
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The damage doesn't look that bad. Are you planning to repair the front bumper or replace it? It looks like it was torn but all the pieces seem to be all there.
 
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