2001 Dodge Caravan 2001 Dodge Caravan electricla problems

Tiny
CSCHERRER
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 DODGE CARAVAN
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 80,000 MILES
Hello, I have a 2001 caravan that a year ago was in a front end collision. Fully rebuilt and worked fine for about 8 months. I realize that especially with electrical problems the internet is not the best place but any little idea will help. When I turn right sometimes, all the electric goes out(dashboard lights, radio) and then comes back on. Eventually all the electric just stops. The car turns over fine, the alternator and battery is good but it will not start unless I disconnect the engine control module and battery overnight and all is good for a few days. Also while the electric is out clicking sounds come from the relay/fuse box and when I take out the aso relay it stops the clicking in the box. The engine light is pretty much always on except when I reconnect the battery foe a few days. The cruise control was the first to go in the whole thing and has never come back. Could it be anything else besides a bad ECM or a really odd short? Any ideas at all, will help, thank you.
Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009 AT 3:01 PM

7 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,758 POSTS
It could be the ECM or to me it sounds like a ground problem. Just for the heck of it, remove the battery terminals, clean both the terminals and the battery. Check the condition of the cables. Then, I want you to check the ground that goes from the battery to the engine block. Make sure it is clean, tight, and not damaged from the accident. Also, make sure the body ground from the battery is good.

I realize this sounds elementry, but I was always taught to start at the power source, the battery. And honestly, this sounds like a ground problem.
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Wednesday, November 4th, 2009 AT 9:05 PM
Tiny
CSCHERRER
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
I tried that last week but iin the process I found out that the ecm wasn't grounded properly. So, I grounded it the way I think it was supposed to be and it ran for an hour and then all power went out and even after letting it sit overnight I coudn't get any electricity back at all.
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Thursday, November 5th, 2009 AT 12:27 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,758 POSTS
If all power went out, I have to think there is a simple problem. Are the battery cables in good condition and the ground on the engine block good? Have you checked the fuses in the power distribution box under the hood?
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Thursday, November 5th, 2009 AT 8:13 AM
Tiny
CSCHERRER
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Hello, I have checked the fuses and the cables but as for the grounding on the engine block I have no clue at all. Off to go check or try to find that I guess and I will get back to you thanks.
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Thursday, November 5th, 2009 AT 8:37 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,758 POSTS
Follow the neg battery cable from the battery. It will lead you to the engine block where I am refering to.
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Thursday, November 5th, 2009 AT 10:32 AM
Tiny
CSCHERRER
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Hello, it looks like you hit the nail. It was a mix between that, cables I couldn't see and the ecm not bring grounded properly. Thanks a lot and have a good day.
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Thursday, November 5th, 2009 AT 5:00 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,758 POSTS
That is good news and a cheap fix. I'm glad you found it.

Let us know if you have other questions, let us know and thanks for using 2carpros. Com.

Joe
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Thursday, November 5th, 2009 AT 9:00 PM

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