Problems with 1999 Dodge Grand Caravan ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

My dodge keeps on having electrical issues with battery light coming on and battery is new lights flicker on and off on panel while driving. concerning possibility of charging system not working as well. but alternator is new. car wont start sometimes like the battery is dead but battery is new bought in 2016 oct. it sometimes wont turn over and fact is the cars power doors are now beeping at me and not sure why. that just started. i got to unlock doors but now they buzz constantly. city driving mostly but scared to drive because it acts like it wants to stop completely .all this happens as i try and drive my car. one time this last week car didn't start, had to jump it started right up then. im scared to drive this car.no one at bear auto told me this car had electrical problems. redmond oregon.

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 dodge grand caravan. while the vehicle was stationary, the instrument panel malfunctioned and all of the instrument panel functions stopped working. the contact stated that the instrument panel gauges operated intermittently, such as the fuel gauge and the odometer. in addition, the engine indicator illuminated. a dealer was not contacted about the failure. the manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. the failure mileage was approximately 170,000.

Clockspring on my 99 grand caravan se has my airbag light on. my gauges went out while driving down hwy going 65mph and came right back on and my head lights flicker and its like it just comes and goes.

Intermittent loss of all dashboard indicator lights and gauges. electric door locks will not work. sometimes all malfunctions will clear themselves, sometimes i must slap the top of the dashboard with my hand several times to clear the malfunction. i have only seen this with vehicle in motion and on all roads.

Driving down road as usual and all the dash components went down i hit a bump and they came back up or if i slap the top of it they will come back on. i like knowing how much gas i have,how fast i'm going or even if i'm overheating. and i do carry a disabled person plus my self so we depend on this everyday. *tr

Both original keys and spares can be removed while the engine is running and in any gear. the van also has a failure to start that resembles a dead battery. i replaced the battery and the problem still exists and is completely related to the ignition switch. *tr

While driving, the instrument cluster will go blank. instruments: gas gauge, temperature, and speedometer needles will go to zero. digital readouts go blank. normal function returns usually in minutes and sometimes faster if i hit the dashboard with my hand. my research indicates this to be a significant problem with numerous year models of dodge minivans. this issue is described as a computer communication problem caused by faulty connections in the instrument cluster that interrupt the connections between the three onboard computers. when the power goes out to the dash, indicating a connection problem, will my airbags still work? the error code for this malfunction is: p1698. *tr

Three times in six weeks, the serpentine belt (which powers the power steering, alternator and water pump) has slipped off the pulleys. in one of the three instances, the drive belt was shredded. after a quick search of the internet, literally hundreds of complaints about this were found. fortunately, in our case, there has not been an injury to date, however a loss of power steering at the wrong moment could easily cause an accident. likewise, loss of accessories such as the alternator and water pump could leave someone stranded. on this vehicle, the belt tensioner has been replaced and the belt has been replaced three times in less than 1,000 miles. *tr

Keyswitch will not turn... sometimes it does fine, other times it locks up. it has been happening several times a week. fiddling with it, or hitting it, will sometimes cause it to unlock. *tr

I have a 99 dodge grand caravan when i first got it every thing was working fine. i have had it for about a year and now the horn doesn't work, the blinkers only work sometimes, the airbag light is always on which means it isn't working. these problems are dangerous in alot of ways an airbag failing can cause serious injury. also my blinkers only working sometimes have caused me to get a ticket and the horn not working makes it impossible to get my car inspected. the mechanic said that all these problems are related to the wiring in the dash. it is very expensive to have the whole thing rewired so i haven't been able to do it yet. *tr

Tl*the contact owns a 1999 dodge grand caravan. the contact stated that her vehicle had previously been serviced for recall 04v480000 (air bags). a month after being repaired, the vehicle displayed the same failure which was that the cruise control, windows, radio, windshield wipers, horn, lights, door locks and radio did not function on an intermittent basis. the vehicle was towed to an authorized dealership where the contact was informed that there was nothing wrong with the vehicle. the failure mileage was approximately 160,000. the current mileage was approximately 178,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 dodge grand caravan. the contact stated that the power windows, windshield wipers, and cruise control would fail sporadically. the emergency brake warning light would also illuminate intermittently. the radio had also failed in addition to the air bag warning light remaining illuminated. the contact took the vehicle in for recall repairs in 2008 under nhtsa campaign id number: 04v480000 (air bags) where the clock spring was replaced. the repair corrected the failure for approximately one month before recurring. in addition, the contact stated that the drive belt was defective and was repaired several times to no avail. the failure mileage was approximately 125,000 and the current mileage was 180,000.

Instruments and instrument panel lights become inoperative with no warning. in the past several years, while driving the 1999 dodge grand caravan, without warning, the instrument panel lights would go off and all gauges would quit working. usually, a smack on the top of the dashboard would bring it back, however, lately this did not work. the latest incident was on a cold, dark, wet evening with my wife driving and the children in the van. this problem results in not being able to see the speedometer nor the gear selection. i feel this is an unsafe condition that should be looked into by the manufacturer. in performing an internet search on this subject, it appears there may be a manufacturing defect with the soldering of some connectors for the instrument panel. thank you. *tr

I went out to start my car (1999 dodge grand caravan se) and it initially wouldn't start. there was just a clicking noise from the starter but it wouldn't turn over. i tried it a couple more times and it finally started. but there was an unusual rattling noise. i turned the ignition key off and the engine stopped but some part on the car kept running. i had my fiance look at it - he couldn't figure out what was going on either. it drove ok around the block but it sounded horrible. he couldn't get it to turn off completely either. after a few minutes, smoke started coming out from the front end of the car. my fiance could see it was in the area of the starter. initially, if the car was left idling, the smoke lessened but if the ignition was shut off the smoke got worse. so we left it idling while we looked for possible ways to shut it off completely. after a few more minutes, the smoke began again and there were flames under the hood around the starter. i called 911 to get the fire department here while my fiance used a fire extinguisher to try to put out the fire. the fire department arrived after we were able to put out the fire with the extinguisher and they helped us disconnect the battery cable in a safe manner so that everything shut off. the fireman suggested we check for possible problems with other vans like ours and to file a complaint regarding our experience. they took down my information and filed a report for their response to the fire. we replaced the starter and checked all the connections for fire damage. the old starter was taken by the auto parts store so it is not available anymore. the mechanic at the store said it sounded like the solenoid on the starter was stuck in the "on" mode and that was what caused the odd noise and subsequent fire. since then, everything seems to be running just fine. *jb

Right park lamp and lighted instrument panel failure. short located in wiring harness under dash near firewall on the interior side of vehicle. dealer unable to locate short without dismantling vehicle. delearship bybass short by jumping area where short was found using a new wire.

D/c refused to pay for my labor on a clockspring repair. *ak

Positive battery cable shorted to ground melting the insulation on the cable and nearly all interconnected harness wires. total estimate to repair and replaced damaged wires, starter, sensors, connectors, etc: $3,000+. investigation still ongoing.. failure resulted from design placement of positive cable in proximity of strut tower bolt. battery location for 1999 dodge grand caravan is immediately in front of strut assembly. this cable does not include any insulation sleeve (e.g., convoluted tubing or loom) and is therefore susceptible to wear and abrasion from vibrations during driving.*jb

While driving, the vehicle stalled. the electrical devices failed to come on. the driver had the vehicle towed to the dealer for inspection. the mechanic informed the driver that a electrical shortage was inside of the vehicle and had to be placed on a diagnostic machine. please fill in additional information. *jb

Starter solenoid failed, stuck in "on" position. would not shut off when engine was shut off. clouds of acrid smoke poured out from under vehicle. i removed battery cable and towed car to mechanic. dealer replaced starter. 67,000 miles similar to complaint #10138490. *nm

Dt*: the contact stated the ignition key would not turn to start the vehicle. the nature of the failure was gradual worsening. the vehicle was taken to the service dealer, who replaced the ignition switch, which was previously changed 3 years ago.

Air bag sensor light stayed on. as a result, the horn failed. *ak

We noticed check engine light was illuminated. vehicle taken to firestone. problem due to bad leak detection pump. ldp on order but vehicle is drivable. vehicle is driven three days. the day ldp arrives speedometer and odometer quits. computer burned out. ordered rebuilt computer, since no new computers available, from dodge. vehicle is not driven 14 days waiting for computer. firestone installs computer. three days later check engine light illuminates. firestone says problem due to bad ldp. obtain new ldp from dodge but installed by firestone. two days later check engine light illuminates. firestone resets computer but codes keeps displaying. firestone says problem beyond their expertise. vehicle taken to dodge. dodge inspects vehicle says computer burned out. dodge has vehicle for 10 days waiting replacement computer under warranty. dodge replaces computer and checks wiring harness for loose connections. two days later check engine light illuminates. dodge says computer burned out. dodge replaces and third computer which burns out. dodge suspects bad ldp, but rules out when informed ldp was replaced less than one month. dodge replaces and burns out fourth computer. 26 days and five computers later, dodge says vehicle has serious problem. dodge consults with chrysler technical who recommends replacement of entire wiring harness. we decline because not a sure fix and have dodge put the vehicle back together. dodge disconnected wire between ldp and computer to prevent computer from burning up. upon taking vehicle home radiator leak discovered which we replace. wiring harness inspected by independent automotive electrical expert who said vehicle electrical problem was too much trouble to trace.*ak

Airbag light came on, horn doesn't work, cruise control doesn't work. took it to the dealer said that there had been some recalls on it but not on my model...did some research and found that this is a consistant problem on the caravans including my model.*ak

Well a few months ago we had electrical problems with our 1999 grand caravan. the mileage, gas gauge, odometer, speedometer stopped working while i was in the van with it running in park . it turned out by a certified tech to be a manufacturer's defect because it was a wire was rubbing on a manufacturer's weld located in the overhead compartment area. so we paid for it to be fixed $500 and no problem since. so currently we had our airbag light come on along with no horn or cruise control. so i contacted dodge like some of these sites i read said to do because some other people had theirs worked on for free and i got a email which states they will not work on either reimbursement for the one and not even for the airbag light. i am currently not driving the van because i waited for my response from dodge. our van only has around 67,000 miles on it. i have the email from dodge if you are interested in showing how they respond. *jb

When turning a corner air bag light went on and off. then, horn went out, and cruise control failed. recall 02v293000 was issued for 1996 and 1998, but none for this vehicle. *ak *sc

No events lead to the failure, just an immediate failure of my horn, cruise control and air bag simultaneously. i had the clockspring replaced.*ak

The red light air bag is on,also the horn do not work,and the cruise control do not work.

While driving/idling the horn/cruise control failed to work. air bag light illuminated intermittently. dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. *ak

Cruise control does not work. horn does not work and air bag warning light flashes on and off. *la

Clock spring malfunctioned. as a result, the airbag sensor light stayed on, and horn become inoperative. *ak

I have a problem with my 1999 grand caravan, the air bag light is on and the horn will not blow, and the cruise won't work. i got in contact with chrysler and they told me they don't know of a recall. it is dangerous to drive a car with no horn, and what if the airbag comes out and cause an accident. *ak

My "clockspring" wiring harness that controls power to the driver-sdie airbag, horn, and cruise control has failed on my 1999 dodge grand cavan (~45,000 miles) vin [xxx]. this is a safety issue and a clearly defective part that is involved in other recalls, yet chrysler will not replace the part for free.*ak *js information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)

The on my 1999 dodge caravan works intermittently. *ak

We purchased a used 1999 grand caravan. through research we found the clockspring was the problem. crysler refuses to fix it because they said a different part was used after the last recall. they said save our receipt and if there actually a recall we would be reimbursed 100%.*ak

Clock assembly faulty on 1999 grand caravan. this vehicle is used as a company van. first aiirbag light came on then the cruise control and horn stopped working. twice in emergency situations the horn did not work. had clock assembly replaced at a cost of $304.53. this seems to be a manufacturer problem and a recall should be in place.*ak

When vehicle is started air bag light comes on and stays on. when air bag light comes on neither horn nor or cruise control work. consumer feels that the clock spring is the problem, but is not absolutely sure. *ak

Re: 1999 dodge grand caravan had intermittent and then constant air bag light followed shortly thereafter by simultaneous loss of cruise control & horn. *la

Instrument panel lights failed to work and caused a distraction to the driver. *ak the consumer did not know what was going on with the vehicle due to the problem. *scc *jb

About a year ago the airbag warning light came on, the horn stopped working, and the cruise control stopped working. the vehicle is a 1999 dodge grand caravan. we had the clockspring replaced just this month for a bill of $266.00. the 1998 dodge grand caravan was recalled for this very problem. it looks like the problem has not been rectified in the 1999 models.

Air bag light stays on, horn does not work and cruise control does not work on my 1999 dodge grand caravan. *ak

My 1999 dodge caravan "air bag" light illuminated. the horn and cruise control do not work. the dealer informed me that my clockspring needed replacement, but that my vehicle is not covered by the current recall. i find the explanation that my problem is "coincidental" to the recall of the 1996-1998 vehicles somewhat dubious. if the problem was that the clockspring was installed off center on the earlier vehicles causing a subsequent failure, is it not likely that my problem was similarly caused, warranting a repair at chrysler's expense?

To: whom it may concerns: i am writing to you as a dissatisfied dodge caravan owner. i purchased my van brand new on march 1999. i have had consistent problems with the car, since the day i purchased it: a) on january 24, 2000 we replaced the , sensor, transax le, turbin input in the transmission. b) february 17, 2000 we replaced the battery. c) february 20, 2001. we replaced the evaporetor, suction line, liquid line and the coil in the air condition unit. d) replaced the window lift motor. e) january 8,2002 replaced sop belt tensioner coil . f) january 4,2002 replace the battery. g) march 2, 2002 replaced windshield washer pump. h) june 2, 2002 replaced fuel seal. i) november 13, 2002 replaced the high pressure valve of the a/c now they are asking us to replace the evaporetor and the compressor which was replaced by maroone dodge on february 2001!!! all repairs were done at authorize dodge dealer: maroone dodge located: 21151 n.w 2nd ave miami, fl 33169 tel: 305-653-6343. we feel that for 44,000 miles car we should not experienced so much problem especially with the a/c which was fixed in 2001. we hope you will correct the wrong and repaired the car with no cost to us.sincerely david and honey bouganim 239 atlantic isle sunny isles, fl 33160 tel: 305-945-5354

Sensor failure caused vehicle to accelerate uncontrollably and jump. my wife and 2 kids in van. dt

Air bag light on at all times. horn and cruise controls on the air bag assembly do not work.

Horn not working, air bag and cruise control may fail because of this defect. dt

Tl*the contact owns a 1999 dodge grand caravan. the contact stated that the instrument panel intermittently fails. the dealer attempted to locate the failure, but two years later, the failure recurred for the fourth time. the current and failure mileages were unknown because the speedometer was the failure.

Windshield wipers/ horn, and cruise control are inoperative. cause is unknown. please provide any further information.*ak

Brake system fails to adequately stop vehicle. lso, vehicle will intermittently surge while brakes are being applied. dealership has examined vehicle, but cannot find a remedy for the problem. *ak consumer feels this could be related to brake booster failure. *jb

While driving all dash indicator lights went out, dealer replaced a sensor. this happened again in june of 2002, sensor was replaced a second time.*ak

My ignition lock in my van has failed two times. the first time in feb. 2000. it was replaced under warranty. then, it failed again a few days ago. the van would not start because the key could not be turned. this could be a serious safety issue in north dakota winters where wind chills can approach 80-100 below zero. also, if it failed in a high crime area it could be a safety issue. this is especially true if young children are in the van, and, of course, people with families buy the vehicles. the person who towed the van told my wife that he had seen the same problem with dodge vans before.*ak