[3rd Gen : 96-00]: 2000 Dodge Grand caravan se 3.3l v6
Removed alternator and battery, had both bench tested. alt good, battery bad. bought new battery and installed. returned to autozone and had vehicle tested again. system came back fine. two days later battery light is back on. vehicle seems to struggle with accessories on. any thought as to cause?
Last edited by ktip20; Apr 8, 2014 at 09:56 AM.
Sounds like a malfunctioning relay or solder point(dash clusters in all caravans have bad soldering), but it could also be damaged wiring. You have to check the main loom and chassis wiring for damage where there would be copper on copper. It's actually unlikely bad solder since it's draining power.
It could also just as well be a damaged starter or computer PCB. Even the person who designed the system couldn't tell you without testing.
By the way you're not alone, almost every 3rd gen owner I've met has had electrical issues at the least.. Most people find what causes issues in the electrical systems using multi-meters and automotive short probing tools on a lot of the end-points of the electrical system.. It's actually one of the hardest things to do to a car unless it's a classic car where there is only what is needed as far as electronics..
It could also just as well be a damaged starter or computer PCB. Even the person who designed the system couldn't tell you without testing.
By the way you're not alone, almost every 3rd gen owner I've met has had electrical issues at the least.. Most people find what causes issues in the electrical systems using multi-meters and automotive short probing tools on a lot of the end-points of the electrical system.. It's actually one of the hardest things to do to a car unless it's a classic car where there is only what is needed as far as electronics..
Last edited by tjnc; Apr 8, 2014 at 10:19 AM.


