1999 Dodge Grand Caravan

[djcrewz]

Hello everyone, I recently purchased a used 99 Grand Caravan. I sent it to my mechanic friend and he did a once over on it and came up with a list of repairs. To try and save some money I decided to do the things I could personally like install headlights, replace brakelights etc.

When it came time to replace the battery I found myself in a heap of trouble I can't seem to find my way out of.

As the old battery was under warranty I exchanged it at Canadian Tire for a new one. Fine, everything is ok so far. The problem came up when I installed the battery. All of a sudden the car alarm started going off. I called my mechanic and he told me that it would go off after 5 minutes or so. It did.

That's when my problems began. It seems as if the cars alarm system locked up the engine and now it won't start. I refered to my owners manual which says you can turn off the alarm by using the key in the drivers or passenger door. This didn't seem to do the trick, it opens the door but still the engine is disabled.

Now when I bought the truck it only had one key and no alarm button attached. Is it possible that I only have a valet key? I'm sort of new to the whole valet key business.

Does anyone have any ideas on how to get this thing running again?

[Rick99]

I think it's strange that the alarm goes off when you reconnect the battery if it's a factory alarm. This does not happen in my 99 Durango or my 01 T&C. I suspect that you have an aftermarket alarm with an ignition lock-out relay. Is there a red light on your dash that flashes? Look around under the dash for a little button within reach of the driver. The usual procedure to deactivate an aftermarket alarm is to push the button while turning the key on.

While you're under the dash, look for a black box and some wiring that doesn't look like the factory wiring-- if you have it, that would be an aftermarket alarm. You could try to get key-fobs for it or you could have it disconnected.

[djcrewz]

Hey Rick99 thanks for the reply, I'm chained to my computer til I figure this thing out lol. I know what you're reffering to as far as aftermarket alarms goes but this ones definetly not aftermarket. The alarm indicator light goes on on the dash display and a clicking sound comes from the fuse panel under the hood. The sound is steady clicking.

[Rick99]

Try disconnecting the battery, closing up and locking all your doors and, if there's a plunger switch on the hood, use something to hold that in too so nothing will trigger the alarm. Then reattach the battery and try opening the driver door with the key and see if that works.

[djcrewz]

alrighty, new info. It appears that this may not be solely an alarm problem after all. Here's what I've learned:

1)My key is not just a valet key. It also open up the storage compartments which valet keys do not.
2) After following Rick99's instructions I was able to trigger the alarm again, this time I put my key in the drivers door and the alarm went off.

Thinking the problem solved I got in and went to start the engine. Same thing though, engine does not turn over and a constant clicking starts to come from the fuse panel located beside the battery. After taking the cover off I noticed that it feels like the top black (relay) square box just below a standard 10 a purple fuse, seems to be the culprit. It sounds like theres a midget in there with a small hammer trying to knock the relay out.

To stop the clicking I disconnect the - battery terminal. When I recconect it it's quiet until I try and start it again, then... same thing

Any ideas guys?

[djcrewz]

I think I figured it out myself. I kept at the problem trying different things when I popped the hood (but didn't open it) and I noticed the clicking stopped. Realizing something was different I tried starting it and voila up she went.

No real idea just what happened but it's working now so it's a good day lmao.

Damn computers

[Rick99]

Glad to hear its working. Never would have guessed that would do the trick!