2006 Dodge Caravan Intermittant electrical / electronic problem

Tiny
MGGIRARD
  • MEMBER
  • 2006 DODGE CARAVAN
  • 3.3L
  • V6
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 75,000 MILES
This problem has been intermittant for close to a year.
Check engine light goes on, normally stays on all the time. Recently it has started to blink for about 2 minutes than stops blinking (stays on ) for about ten seconds. Then goes back to blinking, this repeats all the time while driving. I have had the crank sensor replaced twice in the last 6 months. My mechanic has told me that he believes that it is not the sensor but the crank sensor circuit ( which could be anything from the wiring to the computer
Another problem ( could be related or not) When I start the car (cold or hot ). The power windows, the rear wiper, (rear wipers work with a jerking motion) the front wipers, the radio, the heater fan, the power locks do not work. What works is the power mirrors and the headlights.
When I turn to the accessory position. The radio works and power mirrors

This problem persists from 30 secs to 5 minutes then everything kicks in and works properly until I turn off the engine and start it again

I have been having problems starting the engine. It will turn over for a good 10 - 15 seconds before it kicks in, normally the engines starts right away.

Also as soon as I get to 2500 RPM ( while driving) it starts to hesitate. I just slow down everything is fine
recently it has started running rough when I'm ideling to the point that it would stall. It would start right away and stall again for a few times until it stayed running. I would appreciate any thoughts on this problem

I have had it the shop last week where that check grounds, cleaned the battery posts, replaced the FMC (control box) fuse box and the ignition switch, these items came from the mechanics own van, they were working in his van, my problem still persisted with item replaced. They have put back the original items in my van.
Tuesday, June 9th, 2015 AT 1:53 PM

1 Reply

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 48,363 POSTS
Hello,

Lets approach this problem one step at a time, first, the check engine light, because your car is a 2006 its right on the line of being an OBD2 system, do you know if your car is or is not? follow this link for more info

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/checking-a-service-engine-soon-or-check-engine-light-on-or-flashing

We need to know the codes, if not OBD2, turn the ignition on and off five times without starting the engine ending with the switch on, count the first set of blinks which ill be the first digit, and the second set the second and so on, it may start and end with the code 55 we want the codes in between this code.

Next, as far as the crank angle sensor, a oem sensor is the only way to go, cheap sensors fail quickly and can cause the hesitation at 2500.

The electrical problem sounds like a classic ignition switch failure which was common, but since that was replaced, check the main power relay, auto shut down relay as well, if okay the computer BCM would be the next logical step.

Electrical problems can be rough to find, but with some time I haven't seen one we couldn't fix.

Please let me know how it goes

Best, Ken

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Wednesday, June 10th, 2015 AT 7:50 AM

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