98 caravan flashing panel lights

[pilotjc]

After replacing my battery on my caravan all the panel lights (a/c, rear wiper etc.) started flashing until I took it to my local Dodge dealer for a quick fix. Well they did fix it by just holding two of the same flashing buttons for a few seconds and the problem was fixed or I should say reset and not to mentioned the 65.00 (one hour labor) I was charged. Now 2 years later I had to replace the battery again (still under warranty) but the same flashing problem came about. I need to know if anyone out there knows how to fix this problem so I dont have to be taken for another hours work from the dealer for holding some buttons a few seconds. PLEASE ADVICE AND YOUR TIME WILL BE APPRECIATED.

Thanks in advance

JC

[Omni Freak]

it is normally like that it will stop after a while

[michellehsalgado]

I have the same van and yr. I started having the same issues with my van-then the airbag light stayed on and the horn stopped working all at once. I have had the alternator tested, battery replaced and retested (which is when these issues started) and all checks out okay. I have read over 100 threads in this forum re: similar problems and don't want to get taken either. After researching all this stuff-I am going to change the spring behind the steering wheel column. It seems to me that doing this solves quite a few issues. It sounds like the part is $98 but if installed by a shop would run over $200 with parts and labor. Hopefully this fixes the light flashing, no horn and air bag light staying on. My lights never stopped flashing and it all snowballed into the problems I have now and I am not going to take it in so a shop can stick me with a huge bill-I will let you know how it goes and if replacing the spring helps.

[camachoaj]

Ok. I have been wondering how to get the same lights to stop flashing for over a year now. I seen this post and read the answer. I immediatly went out and tried it and it re-calibrated the AC so quick I was shocked.
All you need to do is start your van. (if you are unsure what knob or lever is which I am looking in the manual for proper terms) Then slide your temp lever all the way to the right (full cold). Then turn the Mode Control to 'panel' (the one that sends air to your face only). Then turn the 'blower switch' to all the way to full. Now go to the leftmost three buttons. Press the top one (rear wiper on constant) and the bottom one (rear wiper washer fluid). Hold these two for a few seconds. Once the lights come on solid then begin to flash you can let go. The AC will now calibrate. You will feel the air blow out of all the different zones at different intervals and see lights come on and go off. Then after a minute or two the top bottn you pressed will be slowly flashing. This means it has been completed (I actually let it run for 5 more minutes just in case something else started blinking). Press the last flashing button and you are done. I then turned off the van and started it back up and now I don't have those infernal blinking lights for the first fifteen minutes of my drives. Thank you to whoever it was who posted the initial answer to this problem.

[p_medica]

Hey, I am trying to troubleshoot my “no heat” problem in my 97 Dodge Caravan. I took it into the dealer and they said I needed to replace the A/C Heater Control Module however I am a skeptic. Everything seems to work; from the A/C to the recirculation door, the mixing door and the fan selector. I suspect it is the A/C zone door actuator. Either the motor is faulty or the control module is not sending a signal for the door to open. I cannot hear a motor whining sound when I depress the A/C selector switch (although the light does come on and the A/C works). My thought is the door will not shut and allow air to be vented to the heat exchanger.

Q. When you depress the A/C button and see the light come on, should I hear some low noise motor motion that is repositioning the door?

Q. Does anyone know where I can get a copy of the fault code lights for the A/C Heater Control Module and the procedure or sequence of steps to operate the lights? I see here where you have identified the procedure for resetting the system.

[email protected]

[p_medica]

You can find all the info for operating the Diagnostic system at the Allpar website
http://www.allpar.com/model/m/minivans.html

It provides the procedure for turning the system on and off.

p_medica
Hey that space is an underscore.

[a10brew]

Thanks for the lessons on the reset buttons. My A/C and air Recirculation control button lights continue to flash though. The all of the funtions seam to work, EXCEPT the a/c (no engine drain when I turn it on). When I push the buttons though, none of the lights come on, just the a/c and Recirc lights continue to flash.
Since the two lights continue to flash, does that mean there is a problem with the system and needs to be fixed?

It is very annoying.
Can anyone help me?

Thanks,
a10brew

[p_medica]

Well, here is the final outcome of my A/C control module light issue. I ended up diagnosing the problem as a fault heat selector reo-state on the main control module. And the reason for writing this is to let all you Caravan owners with the manual heat (or temperature control) adjuster that slides know that Dodge has a been witnessing quite a few failures of this part. It seems that the design engineers forgot to account for spills that could occur on the pannel when you place a beverage in the cup holders that sit directly infront of the slider. When liquid is spilled on the slider nob, it runs down into the reo-state and causes the variable resistor to fail. The effect of failure is no control of the blend door; either your vehicle stays cold or hot. It is obvious that Dodge is aware of this because when I went to order the new part atthe dealer, they said the part number had been superseeded by a new part number (this occured back in 2000) however the part was configured the same. Being a design engineer, I quickly recognized the rat that Dodge is and determined they have decided to make a few extra $$ selling the replacement control module (the only way to fix the problem) to the tune of $370 - OUCH. There goes my Christmas bonus.

So be careful about placing your drinks in those mopar cup holders which sit in front of the A/C control pannel.

OUT.

[gforster]

Hey there a10brew,

Press and hold both the ac and recirc buttons at the same time until the lights start going crazy - this will put the a/c evaporator in the cool down test mode and calibrate the control unit. If it does not cool down to a certain temp in x so many seconds, The control's logic will "fail" this part of the test and give you the blinking light show indicating a problem. The heater control is a kind of computer all in itself and can display fault codes for the entire heating cooling system. ALLDATADIY has a very good explanation of this, and I don't think the HAynes or Chilton manuals even get into this. I'll see if I can post some info for you.

[jelly2004]

that clockspring is a recall thats whats causing ur airbag light to come on and ur horn not working i just had it done for free as a recall