The starter was only the beginning... [Archive] - Dodge Talk Community Forum


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Rafboy
08-13-2004, 10:43 PM
Hey you all.

I have a Dodge Caravan 1994 3.3L( I know its a little old but hey..its ok).
The starter was giving me problems from the beginning of winter. Every morning I had to start the car to go to work, you would hear a clicking sound but the engine wouldnt start.Because I live in Quebec and winter is quite cold here. I waited a little before changing it. So I would try to start my little Dodgy ;) and after 10 attempts it would generally start.

But yesterday, the starter died.So I baught another one an installed it.Happy of handling the situation...I went to start the Van again and SUPRISE.Battery is dead.After recharging it,installing it back again. And driving the car for a couple of minutes the car just stoped.All the power was gone.No problem, A good friend tested my charging system and told me that the alternator gave up on me.This is where all the fun part starts.

Everyone that owns a Dodge Caravan 1994 3.3L knows that changing the alternator is quite a task.It took me 4 hours.I had to remove the alternator and the metal part that holds the alternator.With more screws than you can imagine I took it off and installed another alternator that I baught from the scrap yard.

After a job well done. I jump started my Caravan ,because I was too lazy to recharge the battery, and realised that from the moment I did that the High Beam lights are always on.THERE IS NO WAY TO TURN THE OFF EXCEPT REMOVIN THE BRAKER.

I turn the ignition off, I try to switch them on and off, I try to reconnect and disconnect the battery,Nothing...THE HIGH BEAMS ALWAYS STAY ON.

Therefor, I have to remove the braker everytime I dont use my car.Its hell.

Could anyone help me?Any suggestion. I'm scared of going to the dealer because I know they charge too much.

RAM MAN
08-15-2004, 09:57 PM
you might trying to take it to a place like AUTOZONE and have them hook up their diagnostic tool ( its free ) and maybe they can tell you something ...

just a thought

Rafboy
08-15-2004, 10:28 PM
THANKS FOR THE REPLY! But I found my answer on aonther forum...although this one is better. Anyway for the curious. It turns out that there is a Daylight Running Light Module that controls the day light lights and the high ones. And when you jump start your car ,that module does burn sometimes.They say that it costs 150$ at a dealer.But I'll go buy it from the scrap yard.

Thanks anyway.

RAM MAN
08-15-2004, 10:38 PM
good to know info

sorry I didnt see this post earlier

thanks for the update and posting the fix to the problem - it may help someone in the future

;)