Hi Everyone

I am so frustrated right now and I am hoping that someone can tell me what might be going on with my 1997 Dodge Carvan. It started 2 years ago when the heater and air would not function properly, it can go full blast most of the time, but cannot go on a lower setting. It comes in spurts, sometimes it functions 100 % and I can use the lower setting, and sometimes it only goes full blast. The the airbag light indicator came on & has stayed that way. The cruise control no longer works. When I turn on the defrost, the back windshield wipers always goes on without me turning it on.

I have already had to replace the transmission, and so that is working good these days. My new problem started 5 days ago. The headlights were flickering on my way home from work, this lasted only a few minutes and then two days later my family went out of town & when I went to lock the door it made a wierd noise. When we came back out the the van, it was dead. I got the window to roll part way down and I could get the gas guage to register, but it would not start. Hubby had the battery tested at Wal Mart & they said it was the battery, so we bought a new one and it fired right up. Today I went out to start it and it is dead. I got the wipers to start but they moved very slowly and then made a really sick sounding noise. When I tried to turn on the dome light it did not turn on, but made a wierd clicking sound. I could get the gas guage to register and for a brief second everything lit up and then went dead again, but the car still did not start. I dont know what this could be.

Sorry my description is not better. I want to see if hubby can fix this problem because we do not have the $$$ to take it in right now. I know we have electrical problems, but why wont it start?

Any idea's?

Thanks for taking the time to read this!

 

Battery problem sounds like it is either getting drained or poor connection somewhere.

Heater blower problem could be the resistor block which allows multiple speeds, or it could also be the HV/AC controller module which can be reset or diagnosed by pressing the upper wiper button, lower wiper button and button on the far right(can't remember what it is off the top of my head)With the key on (but motor not running) and blower set on high, press these 3 buttons at once and hold for a few seconds, ...once the lights start to blink let go and sit back while it does a self diagnostic (couple of minutes) you'll hear the dampers open and close and air blowing from the various spots. (or you should). At the end it will blink out any trouble codes (if any) blink pause blink blink for example is 12.
You'll have to get descriptions of hv/ac codes from a dealer. (lets hope it resets and no codes)

As for the Airbag light and cruise control and probably no horn, this is a problem called the clockspring and the good news is it's a re-call item. Call a chryler dealer with your VIN # and they will tell you whether this recall has been performed on this vehicle. There is also a fuel rail re-call that is common for these years and can probably be done at the same time. Good Luck

 

I had this happen recently to me in my 93 Bonneville!! The wife took it to work, went out at lunch and went to leave work, it would not start!! She got a boost and she switched cars at my work and I went out right after and the battery was dead, I too needed a boost!! I got home changed the battery with a good 1 and killed that battery!!! Checked everything I could and decided to change the alternator and been running fine since!!There must of been a dead short in the voltage regulator draining the life out of the battery!

 

I suspect it is your alternator. If the lights were flickering, it usually means a bad voltage regulator in the alternator. Replacing the battery will give you enough charge to run for a couple of days but then drain. Many of the functions on these vehicles are controlled by the body computer, so when voltage is low, all kinds of strange things will occur! Some of the noises can be actuators that don't have enough power to function. I would get a jump start or charge the battery if you have a charger, then have a shop check the alternator output.

 

Hi Hillary, i have a 98 caravan with same cruise/air bag problems. U just need to get a " clockswitch spring" replaced and everything should be good. GL

 

Hillary the Clockspring is a recall, just call your dodge dealership and they will fix it for free.