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3rd Generation UK Minivan (RH Drive) - advice sought

4K views 17 replies 4 participants last post by  Voyager Pilot 
#1 ·
Hi there,

I'm new to this forum though not Chrysler minivans, I have recently aquired a RH drive UK year 2000 model Grand Voyager LX (very similar spec to the US T & C LXi as I understand??)....btw here in the UK it's considered a MK1!!!

The vehicle is in excellent general condition with comparatively low mileage for its age it does however have several minor issues which whilst not spoiling the overall minivan experience would never the less be better to resolve and thus restore the car to its showroom state so far as its equipment level at least!!

Accordingly, any/all advice will be very much very much appreciated!!

BTW.......I do have access to a 1998 3.3L Grand Voyager LE (almost the same spec as my LX as it had most of the factory options installed at the Graz factory) as it has no engine it is a ready source of spares!!!

Issue 1.

The drivers (RH in the UK) seat heater (backrest & cushion) does not work in the new car (passenger seat (LH) does btw) is this a common fault? It has been suggested that this may be a (D43) recall item due to possible seat cushion burn issues. How can I check which VIN's the D43 recall covered???

Other than that, what is the most likely cause? The switch?, Module (is it a Relay?)? or the heat pad elements themselves? Believed to have worked up to last 6 months.

NB. The LE does have a working drivers seat heater are the elements and other components easy to find/change??

Issue 2.

Both vehicles are equiped with a Mopar Reversing Aid (Part No: 01040148) with sensors adjacent to the rear licence plate. The manufacturer apperars to be a company called Meta Systems but they were sold as a genuine Mopar accessory (98-00) ordered with the new vehicle and fitted by the dealer prior to delivery.

Does any one have any experience of this particular "accessory" and how it is wired into the voyager electrical distribution system? I assume it is wired to the reversing light bulb circuit but how is it fused? As dealer fit option no info in handbook......local dealer (not in business when this generation of minivans were new) also had no idea...... at least without an expensive booked in diagnostic that is!!! Any thoughts on likely fault other than fuse?

Issue 3

When the headlamp leveling wheel (switch) is moved the motors can clearly be heard to work but no adjustment of the headlamp beams is effected plus the motors seem to 'hunt' rather than drive to one stop point. It has been suggested by a non Chrysler tech that this might be due to a seized mechanism? Though he is not Chrysler familiar.

As the leveling system on the LE works how easy is it to swap the components and what is involved??? ............or could it be another problem??

Finally!!!

As noted earlier the vehicle is in excellent condition and I love it to bits..........though one tiny issue persists.........

The superb trip computer is calibrated in US gallons, whilst here in the UK the imperial measure is used. I understand that from the 2001 Model Year (ie. next generation minivan) the Trip Computer display had been adapted to display in either Metric/US OR Metric/Imperial Gallons.

Does anybody know how this was done? Are the modified components compatible with the 96-00 range? I suspect that all components are basically the same (if not identical looking at the overhead console display) on the 2001-2003 models therefore are the modified component(s) interchangeable??

Secondly, can something be fitted (maybe in the feed wire?) to accomplish the 1.2 X multiplication required to display Imperial Gallons and hence MPG correctly for the UK? Maybe some electronic experts have already done this.......... or else might suggest how?



All/any advice/instructions much appreciated.........


Thanks in anticipation of your help!!


VP
 
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#2 ·
IIRC all 98 to 00 units produced with seat heaters were recalled. COuld be your element may be burned out. Simple ohmeter should help with finding this. NOt sure about recalls on your side of the pond.
Can't help you on the reverser aid. Was not available here that I know of.
As for the headlight motors we have nothing of the sort on US spec vans and I have never worked on a euro spec unit so again cannot help.
 
#3 ·
Hi and welcome to the forum from a fellow nor'wester.

I have a 1997 GV LE, and the fuel computer is calibrated to the UK gallon - yours should be as well.

My headlight leveling motors have the same problem as yours, can hear the motors but the beams don't move. I plan to get a new pair of headlights from a breaker yard, very easy to change as there is only 2 screws holding each one in. I do know that my headlight beam adjusters have seized up, almost failed the MOT test on headlight aim. It doesn't help that the gears on the adjusters are plastic.

Can't help with the seat heaters, as mine doesn't have them, but the revering aid will probably have an inline fuse somewhere . I have an aftermarket aid on mine, and it simply takes power from the reversing light wiring.

Whereabouts are you in the NW? I am in Hapton, near Burnley, and know of one other member (Greensleeves) in Thornton, near Blackpool. No doubt there will be more than just the three of us in this part of the UK, I see at least 4 other Gen 3's around here and quite a lot of Gen 4's.
 
#4 ·
hi mate welcome to the forum... as renegade mentioned i have a 98 voyager and you can switch between uk and us reguarding your imperial question. p.s where in the uk are you??
 
#5 ·
Seat Heater Recall TSB D43

Thanks to all for prompt replies.....

Underthehood, many thanks for info on heated seat recall......my research suggests TSB D43 Customer Satisfaction Issue. My vehicle was built to European 'GS spec' at Chrysler's (now closed) Austrian factory in Graz by Magna Steyr. Elsewhere on the net I have found an article titled "Chrysler sues Magna International over faulty seat heaters" perhaps more than just a coincidence of names??

If so, I can speculate that the faulty 'Magna' manufactured seat heaters fitted to the North American 'NS spec' were almost certainly also fitted by 'Magna Steyr' to the GS series out of Graz..... Can anybody suggest how I can find this out for certain?? What are the part nos concerned for example??

In the event that a 'recall' does not cover the 'GS's' (or is somehow now time expired??) where can I get a copy of the repair instructions detailed in this TSB and part numbers for any repair kit etc??? Btw seats are grey 'perforated' leather type fitted to the GS (high spec i.e. LX Grand Voyagers) for the 2000 model year.

Thanks again Underthehood

a grateful Voyager Pilot
 
#6 ·
Trip Computer - Imperial Gallons Calibration....

Hello Renegade1127 & Greensleeves.......

I am based over on the Wirral so not such a million miles away from either of you guys..... nice to know we have some local UK Grand Voyager devotees!!!

I am quite intrigued that both of you have gen 3 (i.e. Euro built GS body spec) Grand Voyager with trip computer calibrated to read in Imperial rather than US Gallons..........

Have been a gen 3 GV owner now since 2006 (the broken 3.3 LE referred to in my post is mine also....so if you guys need any bits (that I am not keeping) I am sure we can work out a deal!) and have lived with the frustrating US gallon thing throughout! I was advised by local dealer (then Kings in Liverpool) that the issue was cured for the 2001 (Euro built RG Gen 4 series) on but the data systems were different and a retrofit was not offered.

Infact, both my vehicles carry the original dealer sticker confirming US gallons only and detailing the 1.2 X multiplication required (on the fly!!) to convert to an imperial measure. The trip computer buttons are thus US Gallons OR Metric measure when toggled.......

Now the big question HOW have you chaps managed to have the imperial measure displayed........AND how can I do likewise!!!!

Thanks Renegade1127 for the Gen on headlamp levelers will now swap the entire headlamp units from my LE to see if that cures.

I had located a Chryslerdaimler service manual off the net but that did not cover headlamp levelers.....I understand from another post elsewhere that the North American NS body gen 3's did not have it.

Now I have my paws on a 2000 GS service manual which does cover the levellers....but to my simple understanding the diagrams made no sense until reading your post and now I can conclude that the levelling system is contained within the headlamp units themselves...brilliant :confused:

Thanks in anticipation of your replies on trip comp!!!

Regards

VP
 
#7 ·
Follow Up - for Renegade1127

Hi there,

Meant to ask this in my last post but forgot........noticed your Grand Voyager is an LPG dual fuel conversion.

Seriously considering this for my LX with unleaded at round £1.00 per litre and LPG around 50p seems to make economic sense? Have you encountered any problems? How is it for insurance? Do you get good MPG?

Interestingly, my previous (now dead) 1998 LE when driven gently would achieve (on the motorway) around 400 miles on a full tank equating to a very best of 26MPG imperial (of course). The 2000 LX on W plate seems to achieve around 70 to 100 miles further on a full tank giving between 30 and 34MPG!! I am startled by this difference, the vehicle is laden exactly as before, same 3.3L engine........just the LX's 16" as opossed to the LE's 15" alloys and 2000 year model build so far as I can tell. Did Chrysler revamp the fuel injection system for 2000 gen 3's? Any thoughts????

I should add that the above calculations are not from the trip computers (which are accurate, so calibration not the issue here!) but from mileage covered vs fuel uplift to full tanks each journey.

Leave you to ponder.....

Voyager Pilot
 
#8 ·
thats handy to know reguarding the parts on your scrap voyager... i will prepare my list haha, on your over head consul you should be able too scroll through the menu to change display ie centigrade to farenheit miles to kilometers and the same for fuel display.. you will just have to nmess about with it, if i get chance i will see how i do it tomorrow morning....:beerchug:
 
#9 ·
Re Trip Computer

Hi Greenleeves

As I recall all my trip computer offers is US Gals to Litres and thus Litres/Km for fuel consumption.....not even Litres/mile which would be useful.......though would prefer traditional imperial MPG....

Await your settings with interest!!!:biggrin:

Voyager Pilot
 
#10 ·
Update

Hi everyone,

Thanks for your input so far.....

Underthehood, have done the ohmmeter test, continuity OK in seat back, open circuit (all contacts) on the 4 way seat cushion plug..........so I guess the seat cushion elements must be shot.

I understand that D43 recall did not apply over here but don't know as yet why that is.......will update when I know more!

Voyager Pilot
 
#11 ·
To VP, - LPG Conversion.

I Love that LPG conversion.

Despite being an early version (8 years old) of Lovato Autogas Multipoint LPG, it is incredibly cheap to run.

Being an old system, it is only about 85% - 90% efficient, so for town use gives about 13.5mpg. But at half the price of petrol that's equivalent to 27mpg in town !!! If I ever need full power, I just need to flick the switch back to petrol.

I drove the van from home (Hapton) to Benllech (Anglesey) and back on £13.00 of LPG - a distance of 130 miles. On Petrol it would have cost about £24.00

Modern LPG systems are 95% - 100% efficient, so you would cut costs even more than me if you get the conversion done.

The only thing you have to know before converting is where the nearest LPG supply is. Most Motorway service stations have it, but only 2 paces near me sell it - 1 is a petrol station 2 miles away, the other is a FloGas dealership about 5 miles away on the other side of town.
 
#12 ·
:eek:Hi Renegade1127,

Thanks for that.......concurs with my thinking re LPG conversion.:beerchug:

I show dogs so travel around the UK quite a bit......and boy do these babies consume the gas:cry:

If I am honest it is the ONLY thing I used to hate about the LE, and even with the LX now seemingly much more economical I still dread filling her up and can't say as I will miss that spare wheel!

As luck would have it we have a FloGas centre 1.5 mile away and a 24 hour Shell station also 1.5 mile away (different direction) so that should help:cool:

FloGas prices, as I understand it, are better but not available 24 hour.

Locally, can have a modern conversion done for £1,500 (and that in my book equates to just 20 tanks of fuel:Wow1:) all in and he recons to have done many Grand Voyagers so knows them well.

Still to investigate insurance options as Hastings Direct inform me that my broker (one of 27 they use) will not entertain LPG conversions.

Mind you same broker charged them (hence me) £99 to swap from the LE to LX for remaining 10.5 months. The LX is apparently 1 insurance group higher, same chassis, same running gear (save 1" larger alloys and load levelling shocks to the rear...as I understand) and same engine so lord knows why:confused: Even the interior fit is identical save for the memory seat and mirrors plus the automatic dimming mirror and body wise body coloured bumpers and trim plus headlamp washers........:rolleyes:

I am far from boy racer even so my annual premium this year was £436.06 with the LE.....been around that mark since swapping from the CIS who wanted in excess of £800 :eek: to insure!!

As a matter of interest how does this compare with you and your Grand Voyager??

Off now for another try in fixing headlamp levellers so catch up later....

Regards,

Voyager Pilot
 
#13 ·
My LE is insured with FORTIS insurance via comparethemarket.com
Cost £396 with zero NCB due to a drunk/uninsured driver smashing my Transit Van when it was parked outside my son's house at 6.15am - the Van was on the same policy as the Voyager.

Only drawback with the insurance is there is no way to tell them it is LPG. They seem to think LPG means 'low pressure gas' - ie, the SAAB low pressure turbo.

Your LX policy will cost more than the LE because of it's greater value due to higher trim level and fewer years.

P.S. when insuring your 3rd gen, don't forget to tell them it has a Thatcham Cat 2 immobiliser.
 
#14 ·
hi mate as you look up at your computer on the left hand side the button says us/m scroll through till you get to fuel display and flick the button, it takes you from us gallons to uk gallons... simples!!!!!!:beerchug:
 
#15 ·
Hi Greensleeves....

Thanks for taking the time to post the info.......

.......think I am doin somfing wong ere?**!!??:confused: When I get to Average Fuel Economy (presuming what you have referred as fuel display?) and 'flick' the US/M button I now have litres/km.....not imperial MPG:confused:

Am I misinterpreting your post somewhere??

Sorry if I sound a silly sod but can't seem to get the combination you have advised......

Voyager Pilot
 
#16 ·
Hi Renegade1127,

Investigations continuing with insurance companies and LPG cover......

Have had some very useful quotes from Compare the Market (Esure tops out here with protected NCD and zero voluntary excess at £395.77), with Tesco Compare Zurich Connect tops at £352.22 & Esure is 2nd at £388.42. With Go Compare it is again Esure with £350.94 (for £100 vol excess) then Zurich Connect..., with Confused.com it is Esure again at £388.42 again!!

Cheapest therefor was Zurich Connect, a quick call to them and confirmation that they will not cover an LPG converted vehicle.....call to Esure they will cover LPG conversion at no additional premium.....so once the conversion is done looks like esure get the money!! Incidentally, Fortis did not return any results for me with any of the comparison web sites.....

Going to visit the LPG converter this week for a discussion in respect of how/what/why/when :biggrin:

Voyager Pilot
 
#17 ·
dont think your missing anything i posted... when i do that procedure i get uk mpg, wonder if they changed anything in later vans for the uk????:ask_wsign
( try churchill insurance)....... they were brill with my voyager, couldnt find cheaper.
 
#18 ·
Hi all,

Greensleeves, will try again........nothing noted in user manual, how did you find out about this?? Just wondering if your unit has been modified??? ......btw tried Churchill..not competetive unfortunately :(

General update:

Thanks to everybody for their help so far..................

To keep you all posted the following are now resolved/under investigation:

Issue 1: Seat Heater - ONGOING

Issue 2: Reversing Aid (Mopar Part: 01040148): RESOLVED

System inspected and wiring traced on both 1998 LE and 2000 LX. Units were dealer fitted option when new and so seem to follow no common installation pattern.

The systems are: 1998 LE - Meta Systems SR2 and (a slightly smaller/neater and more modern) SR2C Targa on the 2000 LX. They are manufactured in Italy and appear similar to the commercialy available products of the same name but with a more sophisticated anunciator presumably made exclusively for Mopar.

On the 1998 the unit was found (Gaffer/Duck taped to the liftgate internal structure behind the number (licence) plate from where the sensors emerge). The anunciator wiring continuing aside the harness for the liftgate electrics emerging in the centre of the head lining rear trim on both vehicles. On the 2000 LX sensor wiring also follows same path before splitting to emerge behind the lower driverside load space trim panel adjacent to the rear a/c unit. The control unit was located in this area together with the power take off. Further investigation identified a poorly terminated earth (ground) and once correctly attached restored full function to the reversing aid.

3: Headlamp Levellers: RESOLVED

Headlamp units removed and leveling motors (part no: 04676678AB) inspected. Prism alignment massively out of adjustment such that levelling motor locating spiggot (Ball joint) continually disengaging from prism assembly (Cup Socket) when operated. Prism unit readjusted and levelling motors re-attached, now operating correctly.

4: Imperial MPG: UNDER REVIEW - Special thanks to Greensleeves......

......Still keen to find a work around if any techs/auto computer module specialists can suggest anything???

Hope this may help other forum users!!!

Voyager Pilot
 
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