Hello,
I have 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan with a 3.8 L engine. The van has 170k miles on it. I have owned the vehicle since it had 95,000 miles. I have only put a starter on it and maintained it with brakes, tires, oil changes, etc. The van has been very reliable and a good car.
Last week, I had the voltage light (battery light) come on the panel. I took the vehicle to Advance Auto Parts. They put a machine on it and told me it was the alternator. I took the alternator out of the vehicle took it back to another Advance store that had the 120 amp alternator in stock. They bench tested the old one and they said it was fine. It was giving a solid 15 volts on the bench. So, I reinstalled it. Again, the light came back on. Took it off went to another advance and they bench tested and again it came up fine. Reinstalled it and it is currently on the vehicle.
I put a voltmeter on it and when you start the vehicle the alternator is charging at 13.9 volts. You can drive it for about 1/2 mile and the light will come on. I cleaned the battery terminals, the grounds under the fuel rail and the battery case. There was a little movement on the ground under the battery. No change in the voltage light. I did the key test and no codes came up.
Any suggestions ??
Thanks,
Patrick
98 Dodge Grand Caravan 3.8 L
170,000 miles
`
I have 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan with a 3.8 L engine. The van has 170k miles on it. I have owned the vehicle since it had 95,000 miles. I have only put a starter on it and maintained it with brakes, tires, oil changes, etc. The van has been very reliable and a good car.
Last week, I had the voltage light (battery light) come on the panel. I took the vehicle to Advance Auto Parts. They put a machine on it and told me it was the alternator. I took the alternator out of the vehicle took it back to another Advance store that had the 120 amp alternator in stock. They bench tested the old one and they said it was fine. It was giving a solid 15 volts on the bench. So, I reinstalled it. Again, the light came back on. Took it off went to another advance and they bench tested and again it came up fine. Reinstalled it and it is currently on the vehicle.
I put a voltmeter on it and when you start the vehicle the alternator is charging at 13.9 volts. You can drive it for about 1/2 mile and the light will come on. I cleaned the battery terminals, the grounds under the fuel rail and the battery case. There was a little movement on the ground under the battery. No change in the voltage light. I did the key test and no codes came up.
Any suggestions ??
Thanks,
Patrick
98 Dodge Grand Caravan 3.8 L
170,000 miles
`