Windshield Wiper/washer problems of the 1996 Plymouth Voyager - part 1

The contact owns a 1996 Dodge Plymouth voyageer when the vehicle was started, the front windshield wipers operated without being activated. Moments later, the wipers would shut off on their own. In cold temperatures, the windshield wipers would become stuck to the front windshield. There were no recalls for the failures. The failure and current mileages were less 165,200. Updated 06/23/09. Updated 06/23/09.

Windshield wipers worked intermittently. The consumer also experienced electrical defects. The lights and radio were sometimes effected. Provide further details. Consumer feels this is very dangerous since the wipers stop working in the middle of a rain storm which leads to poor visibility.

I own a 1996 Plymouth Voyager and on this min van the wipers act very erratic. They work when they want. Sometimes they won't shut off and other times they will not come on at all or stop right in the middle of your view. I also have an issue with the serpentine belts popping off the drive line leaving you with no power steering or power brakes and completely disables the vehicle. I also experience issues with the rear shocks. The bolts come loose and detaches the rear shick from the van leaving it quite uncontrollable while driving. All 3 issues happens on many occasions. All 4 of these defects make this van very dangerous to drive or travel with. Currently my van is sitting in my drive with a bad transmission. I have owned the van for 5 years now and in 5 years I have blown 3 transmissions.

While driving my vehicle will start losing power. Then, the engine cuts off. At first when trying to restart it acts as if it's flooded . Upon waiting about 10 minutes it will start back up, but it will never give back all power, and then it will cut off again. Consumer had taken the van to 2 different repair shops. Both seemed to think they fixed the problem, but had it back no more than 1 week ,and it would do it all over again. In the past month consumer invested $1500. 00 to the problems of this van, and it still was not fixed. Also, windshield wipers cut on and off at their choosing. Help!!! this has happened 4 times as of today. Only purchased the care on Nov 29, 2002.

While driving with windshield wipers on suddenly they will quit working without prior warning.

We bought a Plymouth Voyager and we have had steady problems with the windshield wipers. Either they stop in the middle of a path and just quit working. Two years ago they stopped working at all, luckily we lived in wyoming with little rain. Last year we moved to florida and they worked for a while and now stopped again. We have replaced the switch ( as the dealership suggested) but it did not help, ( 89. 00) then we were told it was a motor so we replaced that at 110. 00, no difference, the relays are good an now they think it is the computer. 600. 00. Windshield wipers seem trivial, but when you live in florida and cannot safely evacuate for hurricanes ( and we have seen 4 in the last month) because driving the family vehicle in the rain endangers lives either way. One of my big complaints is just that a 600. 00 computer is used to control wipers that should be able to be used in emergency, there is no warning or bypass they just will not work. Minivans carry whole families, and can carry them all to their deaths if this happens in a downpour and the wipers stop without warning. It is an outrage that companies like Dodge are allowed to produce vehicles like this and not offer support in fixing them or even know what it is for sure. And since we just spent so much paying this van off we have very little left to put into any more repairs and nothing left for the purchase of another vehicle. Is there anyone I can write to put pressure on Dodge to quit producing these types of vehicles and to maybe come up with a better answer to our wiper problems so that they are not computer controlled and our lives are hanging in the balance of a glitch in something so simple as wipers but something so basic and so needed? I will keep looking for some justice somewhere and see if there is anyone out there who can help make this right before someone dies as a result. Thank you ! tammy kane.

In March my airbag light stayed on and then the windshield wipers failed to work. I then a burning odor came out of the heating unit. I brought it into a Chrysler dealership to get fixed. This is the work needed to repair the car. Switch multifuntion, clockspring for airbag. Complete replacement of the bcm due to the airbag malfuntion and wiper malfunction. , replaced the multifunction switch. Bcm recontroller reprograming and replaced clock spring to repair air bag lamp coming on. The final cost with labor totaled $843. 44 I called Chrysler to see if this malfunction would be covered and I was told no. The service department said it is rare that the system fails in a car with my milage. Chrysler was very nasty on the phone and said they would not consider any responsibility towards the payment of the defect. I asked to speak to a manager etc. . . . And I was told that I could not be forwarded to anyone else. I was told by the rep on the phone that the final decision was made. Last week I heard on the radio about an investigation on the possible defects of the vehicles clockspring assembly which provides the electricity for the wipers etc. . . . I did not check to see if it had affected the horn or cruise control because I had not used both during that time. It seems the faulty clockspring possible blew out the electrical system which resulted in the need for a replaced bcm component. I am hoping if this is found to be a defect Chrysler will reimburse the $843. 44 to me.

Front windshield wipers come on when ever they feel like it. It started out once in a great while like when you use your turn signal or if you just turn a corner. The longer it goes the worse it gets. Now they come on just driving down the road, which can be very annoying especially in heavy traffic. I have also had them come on just setting waiting for my kids to get out of school. They use to go off by them self, but now the only way to get them to stop is to turn the wipers on then off. This is our third time. We had it fixed two other times under warranty. Our daughter is just learning to drive and this is just one more thing she has to deal with and some times she has all she can do to pay attention without this. I hope you can help us.

Electronic contol unit is bad. This controlls the wipers as well as many other things. Only the windshield wipers do not at this time. I thought we would crash into some when we were on the highway and a big rainstorm hit. We could'nt see anything, it was very scarry. Dealer estimates $579. 00 for repair/replacement. Chrysler said "too bad" "not our problem". Also, the parking brake does not hold. I had that checked @ the dealer, who said it could not be adjusted any further w/o risk of the brakes locking up. They also mentioned, the cable was fine, it was not stretched and did not need to be replaced. When we use the ac system, it gives off a bad smell. I think there is some filter in the system somewhere, but they state at the dealership, it does not affect the interior smell of the vehicle when replaced. In otherwords, it will not make the smell go away. The lugage rack does not stay locked in place when adjusted. The locks will not work to hold the adjustable bars in place. The cruise control accelerates far too quickly from the steering column buttons. It also does not dissengage when I try to use the buttons. Thank you for your time and patience! :o).

Windshield wipers do not work at all. Before they stopped working windshield wipers would start moving when consumer did not even turn switch on. Contacted dealer, and dealer was not willing to do anything.

Windshield wipers: injury was to my infant son. I had placed him in his carrier, next to the van, so I could unlock the door. . . . There was ice on the windshield becuase we did not have a garage in nc. As I opened the sliding door, the wipers went into operation, slinging ice onto my baby who was in his seat on the driveway. The keys were not even in the ignition. I have had and continue to still have problems with the wipers, and I addressed the dealer and chysler customer service and neither one of them are willing to remedy the wiper problem unless I pay for it. It has been in for the same problem numerous times ( at least 4) and it is still not resolved. As for the engine, it is a fire hazard in itself. . . . I continue to have "check engine" problems at which point I have to have it towed for fear of driving it. Its been hesitating and the check engine light comes on (a head gasket problem), then a feww weeks later the check engine light came on again (they said it was hesitating because it needs a tune-up. ). I had all that done, to the tune of about 1500. 00 and now the check engine light is on again, it is hesitating, sputtering, and running terrible again. Wonder what they will say is going to "fix" it this time? it is obvious that it cannot be fixed. . . . They need a recall on this problem. . . . . There have been many service bulletins on it. Please do a recall on the engine.

The windshield wipers have suffered from intermittent operation since the car was new. Recently, the windshield wipers failed to operate in the rain. The car has been to two different dealers (we moved to a different state) for a total of four visits. Problem hasn't been rectified. .

Windshield wipers do not funcion effectively; run at will; continue even when car is turned off; also when in use do not shut off correctly. They will stop anywhere on the windshield, but not in the correct down position. Have had this looked at 3 times now. They have replaced the same switch twice to the tune of $200. 00. The pary # is 5012382aa. Still I have the problem. The hard part is that is doesn't do it consistently. I am frustrated and a bit angry, and between the brakes and this hate this van! I feel put off by my dealership, anbd just want information on what I can tell them that will help locate the probelm. Please help.

Intermittent wipers come on at anytime while driving, has been repaired twice and failed a third time, I called Chrysler and asked if this was an unusual situation and was told no and that any repairs that I have done now fall outside of the warranty period and I am liable for any additional repair costs. I asked if there are any TSB's and was given the runaround, was told "not handled by my dept".

Power steering went out when driving through mudd puddles at 40 mph or in car wash. Taken to dealer, belt had come off. Repaired it, but had no answer why it happened. This has happened lots of times. Also, windshield wipers came on while driving, switch has been replaced 5 times. The main belt failed. The water pump failed. The transmission was leaking. The a/c compressor went out burning on freeway.

Windshield wiper malfunctions. Yh.

Windshield wipers would come on when turn left signal engaged while turning left or sometimes not come on at all: multi-function switch assembly controls other electrical components.

Fourth transmission being put in van now. Transmission doesn't go into gear due to transmission fluid leak. Last time it was in they had to put two transmissions in before they could get it to run properly. Windshield wiper will go on all by itself.

Windshield wipers turn on intermittently by themselves, do not turn off properly & often stop in middle of windshield. Engine stalls repeatedly, especially during hot weather or after highway driving. Tension pulley has failed/is failing resulting in belt squaling and premature failure, belt has been replaced twice at owners expense.

The problem with the wipers started with them going off on their own as you'd be driving down the road. They'd make a few swipes and stop. Now they do not work at all. The fuel gauge failed as I was also driving down the road. All of a sudden the low fuel bell went off and the gauge dropped to empty. Now it just bounces from empty to full while driving all the while the light and bell are going off. I was told of a recall on 94 & 95 models for the same make of van for the wiper situation and I did contact a local dealer for details. Sounds like the same problem I am currently experiencing. Any advice and help appreciated. Thanks.

Fuel tank: rollover valve located on top of plastic fuel tank is welded into fuel tank at manufacture. First tank failed at 6000 miles on vehicle, tank cracked around weld at rollover valve site. Fuel leakage and vapor leakage ensued until tank replaced by dealer (quality Chrysler Jeep Plymouth eagle, albuquerque, nm in Aug 1996). The replacement tank developed a leak at the same site, weld of rollover valve to tank body, in December 1998. Both tanks failed in similar manner, both failures cause raw fuel and vapor to leak continuously from tank. Problem with multi-function switch (turn signals, high/low beam, wiper, washer switch, steering column mounted. When driving, the front and rear windshield wipers will automatically turn on by themselves. First multifunction switch replaced by quality Chrysler Plymouth Jeep eagle, albuquerque nm, late 1996. Dealer replaced multifunction switch. Problem recurred in November 1998. Dealer replaced multifunction switch a second time. Fuel tank leak at rollover valve site, and multifunction switch both failed two times in same vehicle. It is apparent that the tank manufacturing process is deficient, and that there is a basic design flaw in the multifunction switch.

Intermittently while driving windshield wipers come on without application. Van was taken to the dealership for this problem. Dealer was not able to duplicate the problem. Please provide any further information.

Wimdshield wipers are working intermittently.

Transmission replaced by dealer for free on 5-1-97, struts replaced 11-1-97 for 616. 01 by dealer, windshield wipers come on when not in use, cylinder head leaking oil 4-3-99.

The air bag light was intermitent for the last couple of months but 2 weeks ago it came on and stayed on. I saw on tv that this was a known problem with the clock spring int the 1996 Voyagers and could be harmful if the bag accidently went off or worse didn't go off in a crash. Please push a recall! the wiper blades have come on without activation since new. The dealer replaced the switch once but said they could not duplicate whenever I took it back under warranty. Now they come on frequently and it becomes distracting to the point that it could cause an accident. The fuel gauge indicates 3/4 full when the tank is full and the low fuel lite comes on when there is still 5-6 gallons in the tank. This was reported under warranty but I was told there was nothing wrong. Now it's in the tech bulletins and I have to pay to have it fixed. The door locks have been replaced on 3 of the 4 doors by Chrysler. The drivers door twice, and sliding door twice. Once we couldn't get out the sliding door. The ignition module went bad this labor day weekend. I parked and the car wouldn't start so I had it towed to hoffman Chrysler in hagerstown, MD. They troubleshot it to the module no having a ground. The warning code indication the auto shutdown circuitry was activated. What if this happened on the interstate at 65 mph?.

When turning on left signal front windshield wipers will come on. Sometimes rear windshield wipers will also come on. Took vehicle to dealer about 5 times. Each time they said that they had fixed it, but problem reoccurred. This is unsafe because while driving on freeway and windshield wipers coming on, it will distract the driver.

Electrical problem causes with windshield wipers, dome lights, 'door ajar' light,door locks, and turn signals on dash.

Electrical short: when driving, the windshield wiper come on.

Windshield wiper does not work properly.

Driver's side sliding door latch failed, door came open while driving, also rear window wiper blade motor failed and fuel tank was leaking on top.

Windshield wipers are not reliable while driving. Windshield wipers automatically come on when it is not raining. When it does rain windshield wipers do not come on. Dealer is aware of problem. Please provide any further information.

Windshield wipers activate on their own intermittently.

The wipers sometimes work, sometimes they don't. Sometimes they work all on their own. This is a safety defect. Chrysler has tried 5 times to repair the problem with no success. The lack of wiping ability could contribute to an accident.

When driving in wet weather and braking activates the abs, the windshield wipers stop working.

The windshield wipers failed during a rain storm.