2001 Dodge Caravan radio inoperative

[djohnson2]

The radio on my 2001 Dodge Caravan ES has gone out now twice. The first time the Dealer replaced the radio at no charge. Now they say it is no longer under warranty.

Okay, so I found a few posts that mention pulling the IOD fuse in power distribution panel. I did that and was really crossing my finger, but that did not help.

That brings me to my question. How can I remove the radio to check for a built-in fuse? It has a built-in 3 slide equalizer and CD changer.

Don't want to break any of the plastic panels removing it.

If that doesn't work does anyone know if any generic radio from like Best Buy will work in there or does it have to be a very specific model of replacement - or heaven forbid - from the dealership only?

Thanks.

[Parky50]

Originally Posted by djohnson2

The radio on my 2001 Dodge Caravan ES has gone out now twice. The first time the Dealer replaced the radio at no charge. Now they say it is no longer under warranty.

Okay, so I found a few posts that mention pulling the IOD fuse in power distribution panel. I did that and was really crossing my finger, but that did not help.

That brings me to my question. How can I remove the radio to check for a built-in fuse? It has a built-in 3 slide equalizer and CD changer.

Don't want to break any of the plastic panels removing it.

If that doesn't work does anyone know if any generic radio from like Best Buy will work in there or does it have to be a very specific model of replacement - or heaven forbid - from the dealership only?

Thanks.

Hi,

The trim piece around the radio, air controls and top air vents will need to be removed to gain access to the radio...

1 - Remove the cup holder. Pull it all the way out and push down on the retaining button to pull it all the way out.
2 - Remove the two screws where the cup holder was.
3 - simply pull off the trim piece from here, I used a screwdriver to help assist all the way around. It is held on by clips and should come right off after the two lower screws are removed.

They make after marker installation kits and wiring harnesses that will take any make radio (Pioneer, Alpine, Sony, etc) and make it fit your Caravan. They are availble at any car audio installation shop. My original radio is going bye-bye next payday for a DVD unit !!!

Good Luck !!!

[djohnson2]

Thanks for the information Mike, really appreciate it.

Not sure I'll look into a DVD or not, but I think I'll just take it down and have a radio put it and be done with it. Would be nice if Dodge would have stood by their product a little better in the first place though.

Originally Posted by Parky50

Hi,

The trim piece around the radio, air controls and top air vents will need to be removed to gain access to the radio...

1 - Remove the cup holder. Pull it all the way out and push down on the retaining button to pull it all the way out.
2 - Remove the two screws where the cup holder was.
3 - simply pull off the trim piece from here, I used a screwdriver to help assist all the way around. It is held on by clips and should come right off after the two lower screws are removed.

They make after marker installation kits and wiring harnesses that will take any make radio (Pioneer, Alpine, Sony, etc) and make it fit your Caravan. They are availble at any car audio installation shop. My original radio is going bye-bye next payday for a DVD unit !!!

Good Luck !!!

[johnsdp]

There is a TSB out on this problem. It has to do with the condensate not draining from the upper AC vents (right above the radio) It causes the radio to short out. Since you have documented it happend once during warranty it should be covered.
Every one should check for TSBs on troubles. Even though you only get a summary for free you can arm yourself when dealing with dealers.
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/tsb/
It takes some tome to "drill down" to your problem but belive me Chrysler has info on your problem.
Dan

[djohnson2]

Well the Dealer though is not under any pressure from Dodge to replace the radio for free under that TSB. It was for a potential fire issue and not for an inoperative radio.

Went down to local BestBuy and yeah they can put in any Radio I want, but it won't interace with the built-in CD changer and will remove the built-in equalizer. Not exactly what I wanted. Really sucks, but I might go back and just plop down my money and get another stupid radio from the dealer.

[Parky50]

Check eBay first... I've seen a lot of the Caravan radios on there recently...

Good Luck !!!

[wireman2]

Look at replacementradios.com, I got one there.

[gromittoo]

If you do wind up replacing it, I might be interested in buying the old one. For a few bucks, I am willing to take a chance that I can fix it.

Is yours the CD + Cassette unit? You mention the three band Equalizer, I assume it also has the Joystick for speaker balance?

My lowline van has a radio / Cassette unit, and I find the tiny speaker balance controls are blocked from my view by the shift lever.

[djohnson2]

Well I think I'm going to have it repaired. They claim they will warranty it for a year and that so far in 4 years they have not had one returned for same issue. They say they'll take it out, repair it (send in for repair ? ) and put it back for around $180. Not thrilled at that cost for a "repair" but if it doesn't burn out like the original did then it will be worth it.

Yes, mine has the cassette, but doesn't have any joy stick on the unit.
Speaker balance is handled by volume control knob.
Stations and volume also work with steering wheel controls.

AM/FM,Cassette, 3 Band Equalizer, 5 CD Changer.
All in center console with Radio and Equalizer on top and CD changer below under cup holder.



Thank you everyone for all the great information and suggestions.

[Stevo2]

You can try www.car-part.com for a used one or try www.crutchfield.com for an aftermarket.

[slingerkb]

I see a lot of radio problems here as I was searching for the answer to my own radio problem. I got mine working and decided to post it here in case somone else has a similar problem as mine.
Vehicle - 2001 Dodge Caravan SE
Poblem - Nothing on the radio/cd player. Won't play and no display, also the door locks will not lock with the key off.
Answer - There is a fuse in the fuse panel under the engine hood listed as RDO/IGN. This is the regular fuse for the radio. Unfortunately it was not my problem.
There is a 15 amp fuse listed as IOD. This was my problem. It did not look blown but I changed it and my problem was solved.
Why did I change it you ask? The IOD fuse and a fuse listed as IGN next to each other had the amps reversed. The 10 amp fuse for the IGN was in the IOD place and the 15 amp fuse for the IOD was in the IGN place. I switched them because stupid things like that bother me. I turned on my key and the radio display was lit up. I was happy. Now when I tried to start the van, I got nothing. I then put a new 10 amp fuse in the IGN and all was good.

I hope this post will be useful to someone with a similar problem.

Ken Bishop
http://truckbedtonneau.com