ABS light, clicking noise, battery drain

[Jans]

'96 Caravan. Dead in the driveway; nothing had been left on (and should auto turn off lights). Puzzled, jumped battery, went on my way. Noticed ABS light on. Flickering lights at first charge initially brightened as engine was revved, seems to be charging (not alternator). After arriving at destination (20 minutes freeway driving), after turning off ignition noted a clicking noise from dash, I think left of steering column. I'm not sure but I think the clicking noise stopped when I pulled the hood lever. Then system rapidly, within seconds, was again completely dead--no dash lights, nothing. Clicking noise was last to go. Immediately started with another jump. ABS light was not on until well into the drive, almost home. Then clicking noise started. Same routine when the ignition was turned off. This same thing happened weeks ago, random problem that went away--called for a jump and before help arrived tried turning the key once more (don't we all?) and lights were back, it started right up and no more problems until now. I don't recall the ABS light with the previous problem, but it was very short-lived problem the 1st time.

History: In '02 air bag light was on and cruise quit working. Dealer traced to "open squib circuit, verified faulty clockspring." Replaced clockspring (steering column). After this, the horn would periodically chirp when turning corners, and one day the horn suddenly went off while sitting parked in the driveway. One good hit on the horn stopped it, and horn hasn't worked since. Dealer said this was unrelated to clockspring work. Haven't had the problem tended to ($). Horn still does not work. ?related to current problem. Not sure but in browsing this forum, I wonder.... Below are quotes from this forum that may have some clues..?

QUOTE FROM FORUM:
"I have a 1999 grand caravan. Any ideas? The ABS light comes on and the tach,spedo,temp gauge,odometer,gear selector indicator,and the above console doesn't work. Also the rear wiper doesn't work.Everything else works fine. The light eventually goes out on it's own and everything returns to normal.The battery is Ok I have cleaned the battery terminals,I checked the wire connectors on the under the hood fuse and relay box for corrosion.I removed the inner fender because the dealer said to check the bulkhead connector but there was no connector ,the harness goes through the fire wall directly to the fuse box so I can't see it being corroded since it's away from the weather.I have run out of Ideas. any suggestions before I hand it over to the dealer?"

ANOTHER QUOTE:
"I had a similiar problem and the cruise control stopped working, no horn etc ..turns out the wires are in a COIL inside the steering wheel inwhat looks like a doughnut....the wires wrap and unwrap as you steer but over time they wear and break...cost me about $150 for labor and the part..funnyhow the dealer had a few in stock and the mechanic new the fix before I finished describing the problems..."

BACK TO JANS:
Sorry for the length. First timer here. Also, for what it's worth at this point I think the clockspring problem may have actually been a recall. Mine cost $249 to repair. I believe my non-working horn is related to that repair.

THANKS!

~Jans

[Jans]

DUH! FYI for anyone else with crazy electrical problems--you just may need a new battery. It was that simple!

[cbwilsha]

But did the new battery also cure the horn problem?

C.B.

[Jans]

Replacing the battery did not fix the horn. I do wonder if the horn not working may be related to the clock spring repair.

I'm happy the ABS light problem was such an easy fix!! The battery had a long life and I did wonder about it but the problem seemed too odd to be such a simple thing--the ABS light was misleading/concerning. I just didn't know a dying battery would cause some quirky problems with the electrical/computer.

I'm going to be talking to dealer regarding a refund of the $ I paid to have the clock spring repaired, and I need to address the horn not working with the dealer and settle the matter regarding whether it is related to the clock spring repair; also, will the air bags deploy--is the horn not working indicative of a problem there, as well? I think the dealer will realize this is a safety/liability issue.

It'll be interesting to see if they (try to) recoup the refund before I have a working horn. It's just been my experience in general that the cash register gives a mighty big "ka-ching!" at the mechanic's--like the $85 diagnostic charge before anything is even done.

Browsing past threads on Caravan.com led me to others with dying battery/ABS light problems that were fixed by replacing the battery.

Live and learn!