2001 Caravan Sport - Speedometer Needle Broke

SONICMAN6

MEMBER
2001 DODGE CARAVAN

I have a 2001 Dodge Caravan Sport - 190,000 miles - V6 3.3 ltr Engine. The battery died last week. While trying to crank the engine turned over, but slowly with pinging noise. I noticed the speedometer needle bouncing wildly around. I got a jump from my brother's golf cart. He put the cable to the wrong terminal (caused arc) - pulled it off right away and found correct terminal. With ignition no on the needle seems to be in the 6 o'clock position, then moves up behind the peg once ignition is turned on. This is the only problem noticed - hopefully no other probs from the arc. Anyway, one mechanic says I need to take the instrument panel glass off and physically pull the needle up and over the peg. Does this sound right? Thanks for your help in advance. Mike

1 Reply

JUNKYMAGI

MEMBER
41 POSTS

Golf carts have a pack of several batteries. Usually 6v each in groups of 6 or 8 for 36 or 48 volts. I hope that when you jumped it that it was getting the correct voltage.

You will, indeed, need to physically pop the needle back over the zero stop peg. You should only need to remove the instrument panel cover for the gauges. The clear plastic over the gauges is usually part of the cover.