A 2001 Dodge Caravan SE has lost (not working).

MUNK

MEMBER
2001 DODGE CARAVAN
72,000 MILES

A 2001 Dodge Caravan SE has lost (not working) all of its instrument lights, door locks, and windshield wipers after it required a “Jump Start” due to cold weather; what could the problem be? The: radio, PWR side mirrors, and PWR windows all work so what would you check 1st? Also the 1st time I “jumped” the van the battery did not hold a charge, but all of the above problems did not accrue. The 2nd time I “jumped” the van the battery held and still holds a charge, but with all of the above problems.

2 Replies

CJ MEDEVAC

MECHANIC
11,005 POSTS

LET'S INSURE THE BATTERY IS GOOD AND FULLY CHARGED----THIS CAN USUALLY BE DONE A POPULAR AUTO PARTS STORE, FOR FREE..........ADVANCE AUTO PARTS (IF YOU HAVE ONE NEARBY) WILL ALSO TEST THE THE CHARGING SYSTEM AND SEE IF YOU POSSIBLY HAVE A PARASITIC DRAW (AN ABNORMAL SOMETHING ELECTRICAL THAT RUNS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS OFF, THUS RUNNING YOUR BATTERY DOWN....A LIGHT/ RELAY/ MOTOR/ ETC)......SEE PIC AT BOTTOM

JUST 'CAUSE THE BATTERY IS NOT OLD...OTHER GUESSING IS NOT AS GOOD AS AN ACTUAL TEST

IF SOMEONE HOOKED THE JUMPER CABLES UP WRONG....EVEN FOR AN INSTANT.....OR EVEN SPARKING THE JUMPER CABLES COULD CAUSE FUSES OR FUSIBLE LINKS TO BLOW

THIS MAY BE THE PROBLEM.....YOU MIGHT TRY THIS 1ST, AS IT IS THE EZist THING TO DO...........SEE THIS LINK

https://www.2carpros.com/questions/2001-chevrolet-cavalier-instrument-guages-move-still-light-s-chevy-cavalier-l

THIS TOO COULD BE THE PROBLEM

https://www.2carpros.com/questions/1996-chevrolet-tahoe-wont-start-sounds-dead-battery-jumpbox-get-same-reults

LEMME KNOW HOW IT GOES

THE MEDIC