97 Gran Voyager Clockspring?

[jschlenske]

Quick question, I have a 97 G. Voyager and had a few problems as of late. It started with the horn not working, then a few days later my Air Bag light goes on. Lastly when I go to start the car it will make just a click sound. It has never not started but sometimes it takes one turn and sometimes it will take ten or more. I don't know if its the clockspring or not but I did a quick search and that is what popped up as did an apparent recall of it. If anyone has a clue please share. I'm calling the 1800 number in the morning to check if the clockspring was ever replaced. Thanks in advance.

[dahneebi]

Had clockspring replaced about 5 yrs ago at PA dealer ($275.). Also controls cruise control. Did NOT have starting problem. Got money back after recall came out. Good luck!

[jschlenske]

But does anyone know if the clicking can have something to do with the clockspring?

[MT-2500]

Originally Posted by jschlenske

But does anyone know if the clicking can have something to do with the clockspring?

The clicking sound is telling you it is time to check your charging system and battery and or cables and or starter.
Low battery voltage will do all kinds of strange things to SIR and other stuff.
Better fix it before it blows or burns up something.
But also check out the recall on clockspring.
MT

[jschlenske]

Originally Posted by MT-2500

The clicking sound is telling you it is time to check your charging system and battery and or cables and or starter.
Low battery voltage will do all kinds of strange things to SIR and other stuff.
Better fix it before it blows or burns up something.
But also check out the recall on clockspring.
MT

Checked the Dodge website & found out the recall has not been done, so that will be fixed very shortly.

Second i'm pretty much a beginner all of this so please bare with me. How do i check my charging system, battery, cables and or starter?

Thanks for the advice so far I appreciate it.

[MT-2500]

Originally Posted by jschlenske

Checked the Dodge website & found out the recall has not been done, so that will be fixed very shortly.

Second i'm pretty much a beginner all of this so please bare with me. How do i check my charging system, battery, cables and or starter?

Thanks for the advice so far I appreciate it.

A good volt/ohm/amp meter will tell you a lot.
A good battery should hold 13.6 volts engine off and charging system should go to 14-14.5 volts running.
Clean cables and end and grounds.
Most parts places will run a quick test on charging and battery and starter system.
And if that fails repair shops have the equipment to check it out.

[jschlenske]

When to our local Advance Auto Parts and they ran the tests. It concluded the battery is good, alternator is good, charging system good and starter is good. The lady then told that even though the starter tested fine there are still things in it that can't be tested. Does this sound right to anyone? I think though that I may just replace the starter after the clockspring gets changed on friday.

edit. Would it pay possibly to take it to another parts place and have them test it, second opinion?

[MT-2500]

Originally Posted by jschlenske

When to our local Advance Auto Parts and they ran the tests. It concluded the battery is good, alternator is good, charging system good and starter is good. The lady then told that even though the starter tested fine there are still things in it that can't be tested. Does this sound right to anyone? I think though that I may just replace the starter after the clockspring gets changed on friday.

edit. Would it pay possibly to take it to another parts place and have them test it, second opinion?

If the battery and charging system is good.
That mostly leaves the starter failing when real hot or after a heat soak.
Only proper/true test would be catch it in the act when it does it which may be hard to do.
And last but not least clean /check battery cables and grounds.
If you repalce the starter go a brand new one instead of rebuilt.
Most places have a good price on new ones.
Good Luck
MT

[jschlenske]

Originally Posted by MT-2500

If the battery and charging system is good.
That mostly leaves the starter failing when real hot or after a heat soak.
Only proper/true test would be catch it in the act when it does it which may be hard to do.
And last but not least clean /check battery cables and grounds.
If you repalce the starter go a brand new one instead of rebuilt.
Most places have a good price on new ones.
Good Luck
MT

A brand new starter the lady quoted $81.00.

How do I know if the cables are bad? It looked as if there was a little bit of corrosion building where the battery conneccts. Where exactly is the ground on the battery?

Thanks.

[MT-2500]

Originally Posted by jschlenske

A brand new starter the lady quoted $81.00.

How do I know if the cables are bad? It looked as if there was a little bit of corrosion building where the battery conneccts. Where exactly is the ground on the battery?

Thanks.

Better give that lady a kiss that is a very good price for a new starter.
But is that a new rebuilt as they sometime call a rebuilt or brand new?

If corrosion clean and scrape and clean and clean and put some corrision protector on there.
Corrosion is always trouble sprouting up.
Make sure corrision has not got down in the battery cable wires.
Ground is neg battery cable and it has two end one on engine and one on battery
Make sure both ends are clean and tight.

[jschlenske]

You know, that's a good question. After she did the tests we went back in and she printed me a receipt with the pices of the starter and brake pads/shoes.

All it says is...
Starter:
Worldwide #17012 Qty. 1 $81.48

Core World wide
*tax on cores very from state to state $35.00

[Stevo2]

This is one of many articles on the web about cleaning cables. Try the cleaning before buying a starter. Also check to make sure both ends of the cables are clean and tight.
http://www.bobvila.com/HowTo_Library...ery-F2225.html

Starter would be rebuilt and maybe have a lifetime warranty.
Advance Auto Parts Online

[jschlenske]

Went to Auto Zone this morning and the guy hooks up the machine and tells me right away it is the battery it doesn't have enough juice. Is this normal to get such opposite opinions using pretty much the same machine? Waiting for the car to cool down to clean the battery & cables. Lets just wait and see.

[MT-2500]

Originally Posted by jschlenske

Went to Auto Zone this morning and the guy hooks up the machine and tells me right away it is the battery it doesn't have enough juice. Is this normal to get such opposite opinions using pretty much the same machine? Waiting for the car to cool down to clean the battery & cables. Lets just wait and see.

Parts places do not have factory trained mechanics.
Some times they can spot the problem and sometimes not.
But if battery does not have enought juice.
It needs some more testing.
Make sure the battery is good first thing.
Charge it up and load test.
Then test charging system test and cabels.
A good repair shop would know a lot more how to deal with it.
MT

[jrpazo]

You'll need a steering wheel puller, $2.99 at Wal-Mart or Big Lots and the tools described below. You can do the job in about 45 minutes or less.

You can purchase the clockspring at http://www.dodge-auto-parts-dealer.com/ at a very good price, about $70 or less. You must order the correct clockspring, with or without cruise control. If you go to your local Dodge dealer to buy the clockspring it will cost about $100 or more. They will charge up to $400 to replace the clocksrping (rip off).

Here's how to replace the clockspring:

- Make sure the front wheels are pointed straight ahead.
- Disconnect the negative battery cable and wait 10 minutes.
- Remove the three Phillips screws under the steering column shroud and remove the shroud.
- 8mm socket to remove the three bolts on the back side of the steering wheel.
- Lift the airbag assembly(steering wheel cover)from the steering wheel. Carefully, there are wires attached on back!
- The center wire connector pulls straight out.
- Disconnect the ground wires by pulling the clear plastic cover back and depressing the tiny metal tab on the male connector while pulling.
- The airbag assembly must be placed in a secure place. Do not set on a rug. Static could activate the explosive air bag.
- Using a 21mm socket or 13/16" remove the steering wheel nut, then the counterweight assembly.
- Mark or remember the position of the steering wheel and the shaft so you get the steering wheel back on the same way.
- Use the steering wheel puller to remove the steering wheel.
- The black box with warning labels is the clockspring. You must depress the two tabs on the back to pull it out.
- Disconnect the two wiring harness connectors.
- Reconnect the wires to the new clockspring and reinstall.
- Reverse procedure to reassemble.
Ensure all the wires are tucked in when reinstalling the airbag assembly (steering wheel cover).
Once completed the airbag light should stay off. Horn and cruise control should be working again.

A Haynes manual will provide some pictures on how to remove the steering wheel. I have some pics when I replaced clockspring. Email me at [email protected] if you would like these pics. Good luck.
*************************************************

RECALL for CLOCKSPRING

http://www.autonews.com/news.cms?newsId=3854

Chrysler recalls about 500,000 minivans

Reuters / November 06, 2002

DETROIT - DaimlerChrysler AG's Chrysler unit is recalling about 500,000 minivans because of a possibly misplaced part that could cause the vehicles' airbags, horns or cruise control systems to fail, the automaker said on Wednesday.

A Chrysler spokeswoman said the minivans subject to the recall were from 1996-1998 model years and sold in the United States and Canada as well as overseas markets.

The vehicles were manufactured under the Dodge Grand Caravan, Dodge Caravan, Plymouth Grand Voyager, Voyager and Chrysler Town & Country nameplates, spokeswoman Angela Spencer Ford told Reuters.

She said Chrysler would also offer a lifetime warranty on the "clockspring" in an additional 1.3 minivans from the same 1996-1998 model years because the part -- which provides power to various components in the steering wheel -- may have been installed improperly.

If misplaced, the part could interfere with the driver's side airbag in the minivans, as well as normal operation of the horn and speed control. Only one accident, with injuries to a lone driver, has been linked to the misplaced auto part, Ford said.

Chrysler, which has made recent efforts to improve its quality and reputation among consumers, has announced three major recalls of its minivans so far this year.

In January, the automaker said it would begin repairing 1.3 million minivans built between 1996 and 2000 to fix a possible fuel leak linked to fires.

In April, Chrysler said it was recalling 545,000 minivans built between 1996 and October 1998 to fix a piece of sound insulation that could fall into the rear seat belt assembly.


************************************************** *************************************
Recalls Summary

Make: PLYMOUTH TRUCK
Model: VOYAGER
Year: 1996
NHTSA Campaign ID Number: 02V293000

Defect Summary:
ON CERTAIN MINI VANS, THE CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY MAY HAVE BEEN WOUND INCORRECTLY DURING THE VEHICLE ASSEMBLY PROCESS.
Consequence Summary:
THIS CONDITION WILL MANIFEST ITSELF THROUGH ILLUMINATION OF THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP, AND COULD EVENTUALLY RESULT IN A DRIVER'S AIR BAG OPEN CIRCUIT, IF THE PART IS NOT REPLACED IN A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME.
Corrective Summary:
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY ON ALL VEHICLES WITH 70,000 MILES OR LESS. AN EXTENDED LIFETIME WARRANTY WILL ALSO BE PLACED ON THIS COMPONENT FOR ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES, REGARDLESS OF MILEAGE. DAIMLERCHRYSLER WILL ALSO REIMBURSE OWNERS WHO HAVE PAID TO HAVE THE CLOCKSPRING REPLACED ON THEIR VEHICLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING NOVEMBER 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.