98 caravan windshield wiper problems

[Szopinski]

The windshield wipers on my 98 caravan turn off and on sporadically. I've taken out the batterey to reset the computer and unhooked the windshield wiper switch and put them back in, but nothing has changed. HELP!

[EnergyPryde]

My Caravan has same problems. Replaced both relays, and wiper/turn signal switch. Any other suggestions?

[nierd]

See my post a bit further down about an aftermarket part.

This happens on 97 Caravans also... the body switch(unit) goes bad on these cars...

it's 900ish bucks to fix and it can only be replaced by a dealer.

Anyone know what the process is to get a recall?

[EnergyPryde]

How Can I Report a Safety Problem to NHTSA Quickly and Easily?

If you think you have an auto safety problem, reporting it to NHTSA is an important first step. If the agency receives similar reports from a number of people, this frequently indicates that a safety-related defect may exist which warrants investigation.

In order to make it convenient to report your safety problem, NHTSA operates the Department of Transportation's (DOT) toll-free Auto Safety Hotline telephone service to collect accurate and timely information on vehicle safety problems. Consumers can dial 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (888-327-4236) from anywhere in the United States, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands to lodge complaints or receive recall information about a vehicle they are thinking of buying or already own. The toll-free service also has Spanish-speaking representatives. The Hotline also accommodates the hearing-impaired by means of teleprinter facilities available in private homes, libraries, or public institutions serving the deaf. The hearing-impaired can make direct inquiry to NHTSA by calling, toll-free, 1-800-424-9153

Reporting Defect or Recall Problem Information via the Hotline

When you call to report a vehicle or vehicle equipment problem that may relate to safety, you will be requested to provide certain critical information needed by the agency's technical staff in evaluating the problem you reported. The information provided is immediately entered into our automated database file. A record of your report is printed on a Vehicle Owner's Questionnaire (VOQ) and a copy is given to our technical staff for evaluation. The VOQ is mailed to you for verification of the data, with a request for additional information that was not readily available at the time you reported the problem. We will also mail you a letter of explanation of how your information is used. We request your authorization in writing which allows the agency to provide your personal identifiers (e.g., name, address and telephone number) to the manufacturer of the alleged defective product you own.

Reporting Defect or Recall Problem Information via Internet

You may file a defect report directly to NHTSA via the Internet by visiting NHTSA's home page at: www.nhtsa.dot.gov. Select Complaint Form from the index and complete and mail the form made available on this site. The information provided is given to our technical staff for evaluation and is entered into our automated database file. You can also obtain a summary of vehicle (and vehicle equipment) failures reported to the agency, as well as safety recalls, service bulletins and investigations, by selecting DOT Auto Safety Hotline, from the index, then select Search Databases. A wide range of other information related to motor vehicle safety is available on this site. Please feel free to browse the entire site.

[nanny508]

I have a 1998 Dodge Caravan and for the past year, the intermittent wipers don't work. They will work on very fast and that's it. I have had a ground wired cleaned ($100), a new intermittent switch put in ($250) and today a new body control modulator ($500) and they still do not work.
Has anyone had this problem, and if so, how did you fix it?

[MegaMax]

My 97 has this same issue, they come on at random...! At first I thought I had hit the arm and turned them on, as it was while I was making a turn. But when they did it and no one was in the driver seat car was warming up I realized it was not me..

My van does it I'd say once a month so I am not overly concerned with it at this time but I would like to see what happens of this.


Thanks,
Andre S.

[gforster]

I have had trouble with my wipers on my 96 GC in that they would not park when on intermittent mode and sometimes stop right in the middle of the glass... I changed the switch (expensive), and the relay to no avail. Finally I removed the wiper motor itself - a bit of a chore but easy enough and carefully disassembled it. I cleaned the grease from the circular contact disc inside the motor and cleaned up the contacts. Put motor back in and it has worked perfectly for 6 months now. Cost? - time! If you are having this problem i strongly suggest trying this before spending hundreds on parts.

[hernandez3674]

My 97 did the exact same thing. I ended up buying a used one on Ebay for 14 bucks cleaned the contacts relubed and never had the problem in a couple of years. Save the $$$$$
I DO AGREE WITH THE ABOVE IDEA AND FILE A COMPLAINT MAYBE WE CAN INITIATE A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM ..

[Omni Freak]

i have a 98 Caravan also. It's purple with custom enkels. I don't have any problems with the winshield wipers but i'm having loads of problems with the climate control

[tkguess]

I spoke to Dodge customer service via their website on these wiper problems, I live in Florida and with Hurricanes and rainy seasons it is IMPORTANT and life threatening. They told me to go get them fixed but said it was the switch, we checked it and it is fine. I will try cleaning the motors. I do urge EVERYONE to turn this in, I asked them nicely at forst because there are many of these sites with people spending LOTS of money on repeated attempts only to have their wipers fail. But Dodge refuses to fix it unless your vehicle is under warranty. I told them that Van drivers like myself usually transport their families in these vans and that the wipers suddenly sticking or refusing to work is life threatening. Try having a semi pass you at night on a two lane road and throwing water all over you when they quit. It will have to KILL someone before we can join in a class action suit against them for this defect rather than to have them put a little time into fixing it right.
I suggested the class action to them and they just treated me cooly, repeating, we are sorry that there is nothing we can do for you about this, our answer still stands but they hoped that they can have another opportunity to be of serice to me. I told them that since they don't back their product when it is life threatening that I would never buy dodge again, especially since they have just about the highest prices parts in the industry.
Dodge doesn't care about LIVES, and think about it, why fix the part when they can repeatedly gouge us with electrical parts that we can't return, after all, they make the profits anyway.
If ALL of us report this problem, they may slap them on the hand or catch them for gouging us for uneeded parts and leaving their vehicles unsafe. I hope no families have to die as a result of this to get something done, but if you hear of anything, I suggest a class action suit!
I REPEATED a part of a previous post
DO report your report your safety problem, NHTSA operates the Department of Transportation's (DOT) toll-free Auto Safety Hotline telephone service to collect accurate and timely information on vehicle safety problems. Consumers can dial 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (888-327-4236) from anywhere in the United States
When you call to report a vehicle or vehicle equipment problem that may relate to safety, you will be requested to provide certain critical information needed by the agency's technical staff in evaluating the problem you reported. The information provided is immediately entered into our automated database file.