Mid 2000’s Caravans

[James]

Known failure of door lock actuators.

Topic

[James P Grosso]

I had that problem, but never got around to fixing it.
I’d like to hear what the solution is?

[James]

Replacing door lock actuator when OE fails.

[James P Grosso]

My actuators were fine, but I think I read something about having to reset the computer?

[James]

Cannot awnser if there is a body module reset on this. Mine was the actuator and I have seen many post on these but you should always test for power/ ground/ control. That being said 1a auto has a replacement video for the sliding doors if you need one.

[James]

Some OBD2 readers will read for module codes. There are also some videos out there for replacing IOD fuse but I would think that would affect more than one door. Mine is one door at a time.

[James P Grosso]

I see. On mine, a low option Grand Caravan my daughter was driving, all the door locks quit working at the same time. Being a low option van, it did not have power windows or mirrors. Other than the door locks everything else worked fine.
Wasn’t too bad a vehicle, paid $3,000 for it with 100,000 miles on it, and after my daughter got a new car, my son drive it too, then sold it when it had around 235,000 miles on it.
I did not have to do much to it. I did put several sets of brake pads on it, replaced the strut assemblies and shocks, Idler tensioner went out and Gates makes a nice upgraded kit with double sided groved belt, idler pulley with groves to the belt can’t slide off, and new tensioner for around $100.
Also had to replace valve cover gaskets for oil leaks, which was sort of difficult as the intake needs to be removed also.

[wafrederick]

Rusted out upper strut towers.Dorman makes kit that puts a cap on top,weld it in instead of using the rivets.The solenoid pack on the 4 speed autos tend to leak.The spider gear pin loves to come out and does major damage in the 4 speed automatics.To prevent this from happening if out of the vehicle with the cover off,weld the ends of the spider gear pin to the differential assembly.It does fix this problem too.

[Mike]

Everything on a Caravan is a common pattern failure.

[wafrederick]

The 3.3 and 3.8 engines,you can’t kill them.The starter,don’t replace the whole thing.The contacts wear out and you can get a plunger kit to fix them,real simple to do.It is a Nipedenso starter which is used in Hondas,Toyotas and Chrysler products

[Richard]

We’ve a 2000 Caravan, it’s been a good running car. The actuator motor on the Transfer Case, AWD, went out at close to 200,000, they do go out, but I guess it lasted a good while.

[Author]

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