Re: My 2000 Dodge Caravan SE Turn Signal & A/C Blower Doesn't Work

Sounds like the dealer is throwing parts a a problem he doesn't want to troubleshoot correctly.

How many miles are on the van?

Has any wiring be modified since new? (After market stereo, alarm system, etc.)

When did the problem first occur (van still under warr.) and did you immediately get the van to the dealer after the problem first occurred?

"Carl S." wrote:

> My Dodge dealer wants to charge me $1,500 dollars to replace one of > two or three junction boxes under my Caravan's dash board to correct a > problem that is causing a fuse to blow that controls the Caravan's > turn signals and blower to the cars A/C to not work. If I put a new > 15 amp fuse in the car and start it up, the fuse keeps blowing. Even > putting a higher amp fuse causes the fuse to blow also. > > As a result, I have been driving around all summer without A/C and any > turn signals, just hand signals. The Caravan is now out of warrantee. > Has anyone ever herd of this problem. $1,500 sounds kind of steep to > replace a Junction Box. Do you think I should take it somewhere else > and get a second opinion, like maybe and car electrical specialist? > Is the Dodge dealer trying to rip me off? > > --Carl

Caravan Turn Signal & A/C Blower problem - The Caravan now has 70,000 miles. I bought the Caravan from the Ourisman Dodge Dealer in Alexandria, Virginia (then had 43,000 miles) and this is the Dodge Dealer who quoted me the $1,500 for the junction box replacement.

Prior to the Dodge Dealer owning the Caravan, it was leased to a private owner. I have not added a stereo or alarm system. The problem first occurred in the spring (March - April), a few months after the warrantee expired.

I took the Caravan to my local Exxon Service Station the day the problem occurred and they spend the whole day looking at the Caravan and couldn't find a short. They didn't charge me anything for their time looking for the short.

I took the van to the Ourisman Dodge Dealership in Alexandria, Virginia the next day and they too spent the whole day looking at the Caravan. The mechanic had all his electrical manuals out. As late afternoon approached, the mechanic had traced the problem up to one of two or three junction boxes under the Caravan's dashboard. I needed the Car to get home so I was just charged for the diagnostics $85.00.

As a result, I have been driving around all summer without A/C and no turn signals, just hand signals. Has anyone ever herd of this problem. $1,500 sounds kind of steep to replace a Junction Box. Do you think I should take it somewhere else and get a second opinion, like maybe and car electrical specialist? Is the Dodge dealer trying to rip me off?

--Carl S.