96 Dodge Caravan Electrical Problem

Help, 96 Dodge Caravan 3.3, I have been having an intermittent electrical problem. When I start the car sometimes the abs & air bag light stay on & the radio, dash lights are off. When I restart car every thing is fine. This lead to another problem last night when I was trying to track down. I thought it was a relay problem & started removing relays where fuses are under dash. I removed one at a time, started car & tried to see if the abs & air bag lights stayed on. Well when I finished I could not recreate the problem, but now my power windows are not working! I hear a relay click only when I push the power window button down....help!

First, you've got one or two of the relays in the wrong place, or you pulled a plug loose (left footwell)
Put them back, disconnect the battery for 10 minutes, then everything should work again when you reconnect it.

The air bag and horn is a recall:
they'll fix it for free....
Look up "Clockspring recall" on the web, or in these forums, don't forget that the Ply. voyager and Chry Town and country are the same van...
This problem will start out intermittently, so you symptom is not uncommon.

Basically, just take it to the dealer, they should already know to fix it for free as in $0,zilch,nuttin,nada! but fix the window problem first!

hope this helps you,
Slantsixness

First, you've got one or two of the relays in the wrong place, or you pulled a plug loose (left footwell)
Put them back, disconnect the battery for 10 minutes, then everything should work again when you reconnect it.

The air bag and horn is a recall:
they'll fix it for free....
Look up "Clockspring recall" on the web, or in these forums, don't forget that the Ply. voyager and Chry Town and country are the same van...
This problem will start out intermittently, so you symptom is not uncommon.

Basically, just take it to the dealer, they should already know to fix it for free as in $0,zilch,nuttin,nada! but fix the window problem first!

hope this helps you,
Slantsixness


Thanks for the feedback, I thought I was fairly careful in replacing each relay, but....will try again. If this is the problem, I have no idea where the relays should be replugged...is there a diagram somewhere?

thanks,

ps. I already had the clockspring replaced....the symptom for that was airbag light on & horn not working.

I looked at your post again.... It's lunchtime, so I guess the potato chips got me...

Your Body control module could be bad, or loose connections, or your ignition switch could be getting flaky, and it might not be the switch, but the lock mechanism.

Theres a relay diagram in the service manual, and a little bit on the fuse box. I go by the Factory manual, which can be found at alldatadiy.com but you'll have to pay 30 bucks to get it (worth it). It also could help you with tracking down the ignition/BCM problem.

For a quick fix,
hit the switch and figure out which relay clicks. Now remove that relay, and put in one of the other ones that is different (like an extra tab, or a different number) that should get you going again (as far as the windows go...!)

Slantsixness

I looked at your post again.... It's lunchtime, so I guess the potato chips got me...

Your Body control module could be bad, or loose connections, or your ignition switch could be getting flaky, and it might not be the switch, but the lock mechanism.

Theres a relay diagram in the service manual, and a little bit on the fuse box. I go by the Factory manual, which can be found at alldatadiy.com but you'll have to pay 30 bucks to get it (worth it). It also could help you with tracking down the ignition/BCM problem.

For a quick fix,
hit the switch and figure out which relay clicks. Now remove that relay, and put in one of the other ones that is different (like an extra tab, or a different number) that should get you going again (as far as the windows go...!)

Slantsixness


thanks for the input, I checked the relays again & compared to neighboors 96 caravan & sure enought I put relays in wrong place, the locks are now working. Ignition switch was just replaced three months ago so not sure if it relates the the electrical problem.

I would look into the BCM? the Body Control module controls all of the functions you are talking about.
The fix is usually the BCM - Body Control Module. this little beast of a circuit board does just about everything !!!!! it controls your security system if you have one, it controls the rear wiper, the front wipers and all the related delays, the security system, elect locks, etc.... and electronic signaling associated with this stuff. I have gone thru the entire electrical schematics on this thing. the module is about 385.00 bucks. Ouch! thats alot just to fix your wipers, or headlights.
But what i did was call a reputable auto salvage yard and had them do a computer search for my make and model '96 grand caravan for a BCM. they found one without issue and it was 100.00 bucks including shipping. some of the BCM's need to be programmed (flashed) by the dealership this is about 65.00 bucks. but i know for a fact that the '96-'99 are plug and play no flash required. i pulled my old one slammed the new one home and "click" my wipers and locks and etc.... work perfect!!!!!!!!!!!!

the BCM is located under the DASH on the drivers side right behind the fuse plate. it is fairly easy to get out. there are just a few 9 or 10mm bolts that hold it in place and then it slides up on a couple pegs and the bolts just hold it in place. look at the one you picked up and you will see where the bolts are. dont forget the very top one toward the driver door, you will need an extension about 8 inches to get it. also if you remove the code testing plug-in that sits under the lip of the dash it will save you a few scars (believe me) the screws protrude right where you will be snaking your hand up and through. I feel it is a simple fix and the only criteria for ordering are if you have a security system or power locks or a combo of them. hope this helps you save some money fixing this.
thanks
GMAC454