Six problems related to engine cooling system have been reported for the 1997 Dodge Caravan. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
The contact owns a 1997 Dodge Caravan. The contact noticed steam coming from the front end of the vehicle as the radiator overheated and exploded. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and the contact was awaiting diagnosis. The contact did not inform the manufacturer. The failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was unavailable.
Serpentine belt slips off pulley system when driven through standing water in road,this disables power steering,cooling and battery,which in turn disables lights,power windows and fuel pump. I have encountered this problem several times with both my 97 and 98 Caravan. Belt is dried off and re attached.
Transmission: contact states vehicle had 28,000 miles when transmission went out. The transmission was rebuilt, and again at 50,000 the transmission went out, the transmission was again rebuilt. At about 70,000 the transmission failed again. Transmission service mechanic stated that these vans needed to be equipped with another cooling system. The transmission was rebuilt and another cooling system installed. Engine: contact states the oil warning light comes on even when the vehicle is full of oil. Three different mechanic shops said there is not enough oil pressure to keep oil on the bearings.
I bought this van new in 1997 just after buying the van there was ticking noise coming from the engine I feel it is the lifters but dealership says no it was the fuel purge valve. The noise countinues to get worse and I am sure the noise is the lifters when I change the oil to 10w-30 the noise goes away. The oxygen sensor was replaced at approx 50k miles. The van has recently been in the shop for the transmission two or three time since November 2003 aprox. 90,000 miles on it. The transmission was hanging up in second gear when Dodge retuned to me the transmission shuttered while driving. Vehicle is now in the shop for the transmission again it is leaking from the output shaft seals and while in park when starting the vehicle the van jerks foward like the trasmission is still engaged. This all happens while in park. Sometimes when the vehicle is shifted from drive to park if the accelorator is pressed the vehicle jumps / jerks foward this seems to be a safety issue as my wife and I have three children that sometimes walk in front of the van to get in when we go off as a family. My check engine light came on just hours before I returned to the dealer for transmission service and it is the egr valve failure that caused the ckeck engine light to come on. The dealership tried to put the transmission off as that but I am also a mechanic the egr valve has nothing to do with the transmissionacting as if it is engage although it is acually in park. This is not good practice to lie about a serious problem with the vehicle. Also the transmission leak was caused from the first removal of the transmission and Chrysler warranty department said the leak would not be covered this is also very digusting when you remove an axle the seal should be replaced before you reinstall the transmission. The dealer is still trying to find out what is wrong with my transmission. The water pump has failed and also the cooling fan relay failed for the engine cooling system.
Coolant is leaking between the cylinder and the engine block. Coolant is leaking onto the ground. Consumer has yet to contact dealer. Please provide any further information.
Relay is recall item on 96 model not 97 same part wonder why?.