2001 Dodge Caravan. About once a month my interior light, rear windshield wiper, panel lights, and electronic controls go crazy. It always starts with the rear wiper turning on by itself and acting really strange, then interior lights start to flash. If things get really bad the instrument panel will start to flash the light, the dials will stop working, the fans will turn on and my headlights will either stay turned on or will not turn on at all. Basically the electrical system goes berserk. After 2 years of this I learned that I can reset the electronics by unplugging the IOD fuse for a shot time. That doesn’t always work, but unplugging the battery usually resets everything and buys me a couple more weeks. I replaced the battery and took it into the dealer. They said that the PCM needed to be flashed and updated. They said that it was a software update that was needed. After two weeks at home it did it again. I have spent countless hours reading posts and trying to find a solution. Nothing seems to work. So here I am… scratching my head… anyone… anyone???
catfish10101
12-13-2006, 09:45 AM
Check the wires going to and from the alternator. and the electronic plug for the alternator. Use dielectric grease on all electric connectors. Also, it may even be a bad alternator, but I would suspect the plug or wires first. Or try the link below for more suggestions, they have helped me alot.
Nathan Rose
12-13-2006, 09:49 AM
I will check those wires and see if it helps.
Thanks,
Nathan
catfish10101
12-15-2006, 02:32 AM
Thinking more about it, you may have a short in the wires in your steering column or leading to it. Check the wires behind the carpet on the driver's side where they come through the gromet into the cab. I think that is the only place that all those wires come together besides the fuse and relay box (check there too).
catfish10101
12-16-2006, 04:14 AM
May also be a ground problem. make sure battery connectors are clean and secure. Also check any chassis grounds. (there is 1 behind the radio)
Nathan Rose
04-01-2007, 12:37 PM
I have started to check all my connections. I am starting to think that my PCM is simply dying. I still have the same problems and it has now been months. I am going to check the ground behind the radio. I did put a new radio in many years ago. I am willing to try anything.
Nathan Rose
04-16-2007, 10:19 AM
Got it all fixed. Here is what it was. The van decided that it had an alarm in it and that it would always be armed. I could rest the alarm by turning the key in the tailgate, but that would not disarm in. Remember... it has never had an alarm in it. Now I can't start it or drive it because as part of the alarm it shuts down the vehicle whenever I try to start it. Had it towed to the dealer and the confirmed my thoughts. Both the PCM and BCM were screwed up. They tried to reprogram them with no luck. Thus they were pretty much dead. I got Dodge to cover the PCM under warranty. They replaced them but as soon as they did the evil flashing lights and crazy windshield wipers started coming back. They went in and found a ground in the tailgate that was loose. They fixed that and thought they were good. Few minutes later it started again. They searched and found one more loose ground on the passenger side sliding door. French fries... yup... the previous owners let their kids chow down and they had dumped a bunch or fries down in the track system. When we bought the vehicle I thought I had cleaned them all out, but some had been crammed against the wiring housing and had shorted out a key ground. It has now been 2 weeks with no problems. It cost me $1200 to get the problem fixed and I felt that the dealer here was more than fair with me. Chasing ghosts is not easy. I hope this will help someone save a little time, money, and most importantly frustration.
