2001 T&C problems...HELP!

Need help for a newbie!!!!!!
Bought a used 2001 T&C and it has been good for about 2-3 months. It only came with a 30 day warranty (of course). NOW it's been acting up..........from the headlights going on or off whenever they want (day or night), the radio not coming on and only when it wants to, and the windshield wipers going on whenever they choose (mostly when the sun is out) or when you need them they don't work.
Any ideas? If I take it to the dealership will I be wasting my time?

Thanx for all you help!!!!! :confused:

Need help for a newbie!!!!!!
Bought a used 2001 T&C and it has been good for about 2-3 months. It only came with a 30 day warranty (of course). NOW it's been acting up..........from the headlights going on or off whenever they want (day or night), the radio not coming on and only when it wants to, and the windshield wipers going on whenever they choose (mostly when the sun is out) or when you need them they don't work.
Any ideas? If I take it to the dealership will I be wasting my time?

Thanx for all you help!!!!! :confused:


My wife has had similar problems with her 2001 model. The dealership ran many diagnostics without any luck. One of the techs cleaned the battery ends as they tend to accumulate gunk. This made sense considering possible electrical issues. This was performed a while back... so far we are ok... :smile:

ElZorro,
Thanx for the reply. So, you think that the battery terminals had a little something to do with it? I agree that they accumulate gunk. Maybe if the voltage is not getting above a certain amount the computer gets confused?
Anyone else?

Also...........are the only fuses under the hood on the right with the relays?

Called local dealership where we bought it and asked if we could do an extended warranty now (3 months later), since they asked us to do it when we bought it. They actually replied "yes" as long as we didn't have over 50,000 miles which we do not. Am I wasting my money doing this? Will the warranty not cover this problem or will they never find it?
ElZorro said they never found the problem.
Currently our windshield wipers only work about 10% of the time, our radio about 70%, and our headlights 50/50. I cleaned the battery terminals to brand new status and it did nothing.
Someone on this forum said something about using nothing less than a 900cca battery...........
Any replies????????

Anybody? Am I in a "catch22" as they say?

It really sounds like your problem may be a bit more complex. You should make sure the extended warranty covers this type of issue. Also, be aware of the potential of the following...

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=239515

I am currently experiencing this problem on mine... This same issue was evident on a previous Grand Caravan... Awful ... Over time it may pay to have the extended anyway...

This is van amazing! (In a BAD way) Today at a stop light, all the gauges went to zero! The van was still running fine so I drove into a parking lot, turned it off, waited a few minutes and cranked it back up. The van was fine like nothing happened! This van is NOT safe to drive...........from wipers that don't work to haunted headlights, etc...
ElZorro........thanks for your thoughts, the extended warranty does cover the computer and electrical BUT will they ever be able to find it? Now I need to watch for the front sway bar links and bushings? This van might have to GO...........depending on the dealership response. I should have stayed with my old Montana.

Something to think about... have your dealer run a detailed service history. Check to make sure there is no history with electrical issues. If you find something, determine if the condition was persistant... it is a Lemon? Also, you may want to run a CARFAX history report to make sure as well. Good luck.

My wife has had similar problems with her 2001 model. The dealership ran many diagnostics without any luck. One of the techs cleaned the battery ends as they tend to accumulate gunk. This made sense considering possible electrical issues. This was performed a while back... so far we are ok... :smile:


hello -
I'm new to this forum setting. Wondering if you were able to get your problem fixed. I have 2001 T&C which just started similar symptoms. I replaced the battery and the accessory relay to no avail. Please reply. Thx!

I had a 1997 Gr Caravan and had the wiper and headlight problems, and the gauges going to zero even with the car running. They replaced the headlight switch and replaced the wiper switch/turn signal stalk. Took care of the wipers mysteriously going on by themselves. For the gauges, if I recall correctly, they replaced some switch/computer relating to the transmission. All of this was repaired under an extended warranty I had purchased with the vehicle when new.

2001chy...i have had the 97 Gr Car, and now a 02 TC, and also a 99 Venture I just bought. They're all good cars, and the problem is usually with diagnosing the problem, I think.

ElZorro,
Thanx for the reply. So, you think that the battery terminals had a little something to do with it? I agree that they accumulate gunk. Maybe if the voltage is not getting above a certain amount the computer gets confused?
Anyone else?
try pulling and reseating the IOD fuse under the hood , this feeds the BCM which gets confused sometimes , this has fixed many a hung dash cluster and the BCM also controls the headlights and other things

These symptoms sound like thereis not enough voltage going to your VAn. I once ran my battery down in the drive way and all of what you guys say happened. the wipers started gong with the swich off and the head lights would go on and off on their own etc, etc.
I would try new battery first just to try. Your ends may be dirty, so try cleaning them up with a terminal brush.