1998 Dodge Caravan - Issues with Headlights and Power Door Locks?
We have a 1998 Dodge Caravan SE (3.3L V6) that is having a couple of issues. First is the headlight switch. When you turn the lights on, the lights do not always turn on (the parking lights always do, however). If you wiggle the switch, the headlights will turn on. Sometimes they turn on normally without having to wiggle the switch. Second is the power door locks. Apparently, the driver's side power lock switch will only lock the driver's side. It will unlock itself and may unlock some or all of the other doors (not sure). The passenger power door lock switch does not appear to work at all. Also, sometimes the two back door locks and the back door gate will continually try to lock themselves. I think this may be triggered when the driver's side door is opened up all the way to the point where it triggers the power locks. I assume that when the driver's side door is opened all the way, that all of the doors are supposed to unlock. All I know for sure is that almost every time the driver's side door is opened all the way, the back door locks start making noises. The last time this happened, I was able to stop the two back doors from doing this by manually unlocking them with the inside lock. For the back gate, I first tried to use the key to unlock the door while it was making this noise and could not unlock it. On the second attempt, I was able to unlock it. Does this sound like one or both could be a bcm (body control module) issue? As far as I know, we are not having any other trouble with any other electrical system. I called a dodge dealership service department and was told that worst case it would need a new bcm (part is $765). However, I was also told it could just be the light switch for the lights and possibly just wiring for doors. Is there any way to get a better idea of what is causing the problem before I take it in to the dealership for them to search for the cause?
What does it mean when a car's battery light turns on while the car is moving (eventually car decelerates and stops)?
The alternator is failing or has ceased functioning. Whereas the engine's torque is usually giving your car constant electricity using the alternator, when it fails to do so the battery's reserved power is then used. Usually the battery is only used to start the vehicle. It obviously has enough power to spark the plugs, but only for so long, especially if you are also running your radio, A/C, headlights, etc. Once the battery is dead, the car is dead.This happened to me more than once. The alternator has a finite life in every car, so there comes a time when it will die, and it will almost certainly not be at the most opportune moment. Recognize signs of this happening before it is too late. Mine was failing for months before it inevitably gave in and I finally figured out what was wrong. A similar issue is if your serpentine belt snaps, the engine is no longer running your alternator, whether it's in good shape or not. This will cause more issues than the car just dying in five minutes- the water pump will cease functioning to cool your engine down and you will eventually overheat it and perhaps irreparably damage the vehicle.There are possibly other things that can cause this issue but this seems by and large the most likely.
Why do my hazard lights work, but not my turn signals?
Hazard lights and turn signals use the same bulb, so it is not the bulb, the lamp, or the cables to them. Turn signals only work when the ignition is on; hazard lights work whether the ignition is on or not. The two systems have separate power supplies, so they have separate fuses. You may have a blown fuse.Different vehicles use different circuits, and it is not possible to accurately diagnose the fault with the small amount of information provided. You need a circuit diagram and a voltmeter, and a continuity tester. First locate and test the turn signal fuse. Do you have voltage to and from the turn signal switch?The hazard light switch is not a simple on/off switch. In the “on” position, a fused battery feed connects to left and right turn signal. In the “off” position, the left turn switch wire is connected to the left turn lamp and the right turn switch wire is connected to the right turn lamp, so there are 3 inputs and 2 outputs.The fault could be a fuse, turn signal switch, hazard switch, flasher unit, or a broken wire or connection.
How do you remove the rear speakers from a 200 pontiac grand am.?
I have a alero, its the same thing, put the back seats down. there is a plastic arch with some of plastic things holding it on. you should be able to pull them out with your fingers. with the arch out and push up on the cover that goes over the speakers. the speakers set on a plastic thing to form on the metal, they have 2 clips, one on each side and just make sure that you have the wire off the speaker and pull it out. you may have to push up kind of hard on the cover to get to the speaker but it should not break
How long could you drive without a drive belt?
In a modern automobile …one made within the last 20 years or so …it would depend. It may overheat first or it may deplete the battery …or both …before you or the engine stops driving it.The drive belt …aka serpentine belt …drives all or most of the accessories on modern engines.For some vehicles, particularly overhead cam (OHC) vehicles, the water pump is often driven by the belt spinning the cam shaft. On other engines types, overhead valve (OHV) engines in particular, the water pump is driven by the serpentine belt.But in both types of engines the alternator is almost always driven by the serpentine belt.So, in all cases, if the belt breaks you can drive until the battery dies …since that’s the only source of electrical power in the car when the alternator isn’t working. How long the engine will run on just the battery is a function of the health of the battery and whatever other electrical loads there are (like the electric fuel pump, electric cooling fan, AC compressor clutch, HVAC fan, headlights, wipers).If you have an OHC engine where the water pump is run off the cam belt then chances are you won’t overhear the engine right away; a good flow of coolant will be running through the radiator. If you’re running at a steady speed …like on the freeway …the battery will probably die before the engine overheats …but if you’re slogging along in rush hour traffic, maybe not so much.If you have an OHV engine, the water pump gets taken out with the busted belt and you lose good circulation of coolant through the radiator. Chances are the engine will begin to overheat relatively quickly …or at least a lot sooner than for an engine with a working water pump …especially if you’re running in slow moving traffic.So, there ya go.Ideally, being a good car owner, you check that belt for wear and tension and get it fixed before it bites you in the ass.
If the car is idling, will it charge the battery?
Almost all cars can charge the battery at idle.There are some who remember the days before they could so there are still some who worry about that. Car electrical systems used to have several shortcomings. They used a 6V system with a generator instead of an alternator. An alternator can provide much more power to charge at slow speeds because of the adjustable armature voltage. All the electrical system parts improved, and the design improved, so now we don’t have to worry about the battery charge.There are still many motorcycles that are not able to charge the battery at idle. This is mostly due to the desire to keep the headlamp on, improving visibility. The start-charge system was designed well before this rule so the alternator is just sized too small for the task.Because the battery is being discharged at idle, the battery can drain completely in a slow moving parade, or a traffic jam. The easiest way out of this problems is to unplug the headlamp when in a parade and drive on the stripe in through a traffic jam.