I own a 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan, and have recently reached...

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Answer by jmiller126
Submitted on 2/7/2004
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Sounds like a head gasket. Does your car leave any spots when you park? Also, when your car is cold, take off the radiator cap (not the filler cap, the one that is either on the intake manifold or radiator itself) and start the car. Watch to see if air bubbles are coming up through the antifreeze. If you see bubbles, then you definetely need a new head gasket. The 4 cylinder motors used in stratus and caravans are known for head gasket problems. I know, I went through this on my 97 stratus with the 2.4 liter engine. If you find that the head gasket appears to be ok, then most likely you have at least one cylinder where the oil ring has colapsed and is no longer preventing oil from passing into the chamber.

Answer by Backyardigan Mechanic
Submitted on 2/23/2006
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Mike: It sounds like your oil seals need to be replaced on your Caravan. This is a common problem with the 3.0L engine, and usually occurs around 100,000 miles. At this mileage you can also expect to begin having transmission problems. Typically it starts with some slipping, and eventually the trans will fail completely. If you haven't done so, now would be a great time to replace the timing belt along with the tensioner pulley as well. Should it break, major damage can and will be done to your engine. I own 3 Caravans, so I'm speaking from personal experience. With that being said, I still think they're great vehicles, but then again I love a challenge. :)

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Question by Mike
Submitted on 1/19/2004
Related FAQ: rec.autos.makers.chrysler FAQ, Part 1/6
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I own a 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan, and have recently reached 100,000 miles. Suddenly th van seems to drink oil. Is this a characteristic of Dodge automobiles, as has been recommended by others whom I've spoken to? Also, I have had no problem to date with the transmission. What might I expect if I keep this vehicle for another 50,000 to 100,000 miles?

Answer by whatdoido
Submitted on 2/9/2004
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On my 1997 Dodge Caravan the turning signals has stopped working. What do you think the problem is?

Answer by dodge dodger
Submitted on 4/16/2004
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I have a 95 dodge caravan se. I bought it used two years ago. Within a few months I replaced the fuel pump. Last year I replaced the axle. Since January of this year I replaced another fuel pump and assembly, and then the starter. I got it back from the mechanic and it smoked (well, steamed) through the exhaust. It soon quit working altogether and I found what I thought...a blown head gasget. It has 165 K miles on it. Don't buy a dodge caravan...this is my second on in five years.

Answer by ke3
Submitted on 4/28/2004
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The 3.0 liter mitzubishi engine is notorious for blowing oil and giving out around 100,000 miles. It is not a matter of if it will happen, it is when it will happen. It is a 100% failure as I have been told by independent mechanics.

Answer by swampy
Submitted on 6/8/2004
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at about 100000 miles it started to drink oil.I treated by adding oil but finally there was not enough oil along route 80 to satisfy it. on a trip to Clevland I finally stopped into a dealer and had it fixed. it was the cooler lines into the trans. it is not burning oil at 170K. The check engine lite is on now. It has demoted it self to a v5. runs bad at 700 rpm but great above. the turning signal problem is a factory recall the helix wires from the wheel is defective they will change it for free .Great car and /or truck.

Answer by will
Submitted on 8/26/2004
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my fans in my 1997 dodge caravan have quit working. Is there a relay or switch/fuse to replace?

Answer by Victor
Submitted on 9/6/2004
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I have a 1997 Dodge grand caravan se, I have a leak of antifreeze that is coming out of the bottom of the vehicle & this never happen before, It's almost at 95.000 miles what I could do to fix this poblem.

Answer by SunCountry47
Submitted on 3/4/2005
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I have a 1997 Grand Caravan with over 123,000 miles on it. I have had a multitude of problems. My turn signals also went out and I replaced the multi function switch ( turn signals, wipers, windshield washer ) it cost me $90 at the dealer and it took me about 5 minutes to replace. Now I am having a problem that I feel is going to be the transmission. I have had it worked on twice in the past 2 1/2 yrs. When I pull off from a stop - I get a hard bump that seems to be coming from the rear of the van. Any ideas? I am a little ole woman on a fixed income and I try to do things that I can to the van - but I don't believe I can handle the transmission. Help ?

Answer by Jody
Submitted on 4/21/2005
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Help my 97. The AC stopped working and it seems to want to over heat. what do i do?

Answer by coffee
Submitted on 9/5/2005
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Hey Mike, I drive a '92 caravan with a rebuilt engine, if you look at your manual it would say on all 3.0 engines, you MUST replace you engine gasket every 50,000 km (30,000 miles)

Answer by S
Submitted on 9/12/2005
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my 97 grand caravan is running stong after 167000+, exhaust needed a touchup, the belts slip if i drive through a very large puddle, but still roars and burns rubber like the beast it was when i got it new

Answer by Quincy
Submitted on 9/24/2005
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We weren't getting any power from the starter to the battery. We got a new starter and that didn't help. Now what it is also a 1997 Dodge Caravan with 100,120 miles on it. What should we check now....

Answer by essie
Submitted on 10/4/2005
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my fan on my 1997 dodge caravan not working

Answer by Barb
Submitted on 2/6/2006
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I have an 04' Caravan, and it's the biggest p.o.s. I have ever owned . I have had in the shop numerous times for the same thing and they pretty much tell me it's your gas, b.s. I run the same gas in my Ford and it has no problems. I am tired of this I paid 26,000 for the damn thing and I had almost 36,000 miles on it and it has ran crappy since 21,000 miles. I fell robbed. I hate doge with a passion. I will NEVER buy another Dodge product and I will tell everyone this. I could have kept the car I traded in ( a Ford) and delt with trying to get my children into it with less headaches than this darn van has caused.

Answer by coolcat
Submitted on 2/23/2006
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i own a 97 caravan and it has about 168000 miles on it. how many miles should i expect to get on it before she dies?

Answer by kevinmos
Submitted on 12/17/2006
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I own a 1997 dodge caravan .tranny slipping mainly when cold or until driven a little.Recently the tranny would not go out of first gear. I shut it down for about 1 hour and drove once again .No slipping and shifted threw all gears ..... Is this censor related???? seems like if its was a bad tranny it wouldnt shift proper again........

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Answer by Mickey1066
Submitted on 4/20/2006
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My 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan has a reoccuring problem. When key is turned on to start car, the enging runs for about 3 seconds and then stops. Sometimes if I wait for 10-15 minutes, it will start and keep running but now the problem has accelarated to a point where it turns over but will not start. Have you heard of this problem? Does this vehicle have some type of immobilizer to prevent it from running?

Answer by ???
Submitted on 2/21/2007
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where do i find the spare tire relese on a 95??