Hello all,

I have a 2012 Grand Caravan with 40k miles, this past summer I was driving and the headlights flashed, dashlights went out, then all warning lights came on for a few seconds. This would happen several times over the next 5 minutes or so. Sometimes one or more of the warning lights would stay and it seemed as if it would try to reset itself every 15 seconds or so. This would randomly happen every once in awhile, always at night (headlights on) and I thought it was also when it was raining. This is issue has continued to happen and I believe I have narrowed it down to that it always and only happens when the highbeams are on. The last incident also left the traction control warning light on while it was going thru its fits.

I have tried to do my research and have found suggestions to check the ground connection, remove the negative terminal to reset the computer, and clean the high beam fuse terminal with emery cloth (supposedly its common for a varnish to build up and cause resistance in the circuit).

Has anyone experienced this issue or anything similar? Being that the high beams seem to be an integral cause of the problem it seems like its something with that circuit but I don't know which fuse contains the high beams. Any help, suggestions, or guidance would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance, Justin

 

wipers cycle?

 

No, wipers do not cycle.

 

well, you may still have a bus issue, but usually when the bus goes down, the wipers cycle. Also found a bulletin involving the headlamp switch not being fully seated causing an intermittent connection.

 

That combination sounds like the TIPM, your fuse box, is mucked but I'm not the Tech here. Could try a wiggle test on the connections and box to induce the problem. Disconnect the negative battery cable then reseat the connections checking the contacts for any signs of corrosion or damage to the contacts. The pattern reported on forums has been the TIPM has an internal fault and requires replacing.

The closest model year diagrams I have, 2008, don't show any headlight fuses. Same generation van but can't say for sure you don't have a fuse.

Headlight switch? I'll never say no where the data bus is concerned but can it turn on the dash warning lights Tizzy1?

Are the instruments erratic? Any starting issues? Besides lighting and dash issues these are the most noticeable signs of a data bus problem. While on the data bus, it's been a while but i read of shorted sliding door wire harnesses causing instrument cluster problems on 5th generation vans. That harness is in a cavity in the chassis at the bottom of the door, not in the door. The door control modules are on the data bus.

To back up a bit, still under warranty? Head for the dealer.

 

No sir, not under warranty... No starting issues and the instruments work as they should the rest of the time. Forgive my ignorance but I should be checking the external connection of the TIPM? I'm not very familiar with vehicle electronics... I just googled TIPM and the first thing that came up is a lawsuit investigation regarding Chrysler and as fate would have it 2012 Grand Caravan defective TIPM's.