dash light won't shut off

[lansdowne]

I have a dash light on my 2001 Dodge Caravan SE 3.3 L that comes on when I start the vehicle and won't shut off. Its beside the turn signal indicators at the top of the cluster and, according to the owner's manual is called a malfunction indicator light. I tried tightening the gas cap and unhooking and rehooking the battery but the light still won't go out. A neighbour said it might indicate a bad sensor or even a bad ground. Does anyone here have experience with such a situation and is it safe to drive until I can get it checked??
many thanks

[jd-autotech]

normal rule of thumb if it seem too run fine your ok but you need too get it checked there is not enough info in ur post like i am have no idea what light u r talking about find out what the light is for and then we can get rollin

[lansdowne]

I have no idea how to explain which light it is other than the way I have explained it. It is above the main dash cluster in he Caravan right beside where the turn indicator lifgts are. Its called malfunction indicator light- base cluster only. The symbol looks like an engine. I read somewhere to turn the key off and on three times quickly in order to get the problem code....... which I did and got P0205...which apparently translates into "injector circuit malfunction". The vehicle seems to be operating OK...... what wowuld the code explanation possible mean???/
thanks again
.

[lansdowne]

I have no idea how to explain which light it is other than the way I have explained it. It is above the main dash cluster in he Caravan right beside where the turn indicator lifgts are. Its called malfunction indicator light- base cluster only. The symbol looks like an engine. I read somewhere to turn the key off and on three times quickly in order to get the problem code....... which I did and got P0205...which apparently translates into "injector circuit malfunction". The vehicle seems to be operating OK...... what wowuld the code explanation possible mean???/
thanks again
.

[lansdowne]

This morning (Monday), while I was en route to a service centre, the light went out. The owner's manual says to g have the vehicle serviced if the light stays on through several driving cycles...so I guess I'll play it be ear for now. The code...P0205, apparently indicates something to do with the injector for cylinder 5, or so my internet research shows....
lansdowne

[webbch]

I read somewhere to turn the key off and on three times quickly in order to get the problem code....... which I did and got P0205...which apparently translates into "injector circuit malfunction".

The MIL is what is often referred to as the "check engine light". It means there is a code stored in your computer, as you've already figured out.

The "key dance" to which you refer gets the computer to "blink out" a sequence of numbers, again, as you've already figured out. The other way of reading out the codes (which often gives more specific information) is with a code reader, and THAT is the device that gives you codes such as P0205. You do NOT get P-codes by doing the key dance. Perhaps you cross referenced the code you got to a corresponding P-code via your internet searching?

Chad

[lansdowne]

Howdy: I DID get the P0205 via the "key dance"........is what you are saying is that the reference i got (which showed up where the milage is usually listed) is not a valid representation of what might be the problem??
thanks

[webbch]

Oh, wait, you have a 2001....I guess they actually DISPLAY the code for you. On earlier models, the MIL light blinks out a sequence of numbers corresponding to a "diagnostic trouble code", and you can do some limited cross-referencing of that DTC to the OBD-II P-codes. My bad....

There's a small chance you might have an poor connection on that particular injector. If it was me, I'd try unplugging it, and plugging it back in (clean it off if the contacts look bad). Otherwise, I'm not certain of the best way to test an injector that at least partially works.

[lansdowne]

Howdy: To unplug the injector as suggested, must I take the cover off the top of the engine?? And, by the way, which one is number 5....front or back???????
A handyman neighbour of mine (he has a 2002 Caravan)was where on then internet he might find a fuel injector diagram (schematic??) for those vehicles. I recall a site that I accesssed once for similar in formation but I can't seem to locate it again.
Any suggestions???
Lansdowne

[AWP9521]

If you are facing the front of the engine, cylinder #5 should be the last cylinder on left side. In your case it will be the bank of cylinders on the firewall side and last cylinder.

[RIP]

Originally Posted by lansdowne

Howdy: To unplug the injector as suggested, must I take the cover off the top of the engine?? And, by the way, which one is number 5....front or back???????
A handyman neighbour of mine (he has a 2002 Caravan)was where on then internet he might find a fuel injector diagram (schematic??) for those vehicles. I recall a site that I accesssed once for similar in formation but I can't seem to locate it again.
Any suggestions???
Lansdowne

Go here first:
http://www.oplin.org/databases/proxy...%2fframerq.asp

Type 123456789 Click submitt
Scroll to Cincinatti Library click submitt (give it time to load)
Scroll to ARRC click
Enter your vehicle and choices on next pages (you'll find injectors on drawing 2 of the engine control schematics)

[lansdowne]

I really appreciate all those who did take ethe time to answer my post.....as of right now wthe liught has gone off and I am "playing it by ear".