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Need electrical help 1998 Caravan
#2667309
06/18/19 06:12 PM
06/18/19 06:12 PM
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 730 Nampa, ID
MadMatt
OP
super stock
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OP
super stock
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 730
Nampa, ID
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My 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan Sport with the 3.3 has an electrical issue. It starts and idles fine, but when when the RPM gets above 2300 the battery light comes on and the LCD dash displays go out. I put a voltage meter on the battery, and it shows 13.8-14.2 volts at idle, but when you rev it the voltage jumps as high as 18 volts! The internet says the voltage regulator is in the PCM. Is my only alternative to replace the PCM or could there be another cause? Could it just be a bad alternator. Is there another test I should perform? Any advice is appreciated!
Some see the glass as half empty, some see the glass as half full. I just drink straight out of the bottle.
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Re: Need electrical help 1998 Caravan
[Re: MadMatt]
#2667314
06/18/19 06:22 PM
06/18/19 06:22 PM
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Joined: May 2019
Posts: 6,267 nowhere
Sniper
master
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master
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 6,267
nowhere
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Not likely the alternator. You could pull it and have it tested. As you heard, the regulator is built into the PCM. However, there is a solution. Field Replacement Module
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Re: Need electrical help 1998 Caravan
[Re: markz528]
#2667392
06/18/19 09:52 PM
06/18/19 09:52 PM
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 730 Nampa, ID
MadMatt
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super stock
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OP
super stock
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 730
Nampa, ID
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How would a ground issue cause the alternator to overcharge?? What ground would be bad?
Some see the glass as half empty, some see the glass as half full. I just drink straight out of the bottle.
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Re: Need electrical help 1998 Caravan
[Re: johnnmo]
#2667419
06/19/19 01:14 AM
06/19/19 01:14 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 27,421 Balt. Md
383man
Too Many Posts
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Too Many Posts
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 27,421
Balt. Md
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Without a ground, the alternator goes to full charge. Some can and some wont charge at all. I would check the wiring and then unhook the field wire to the PCM to see if it stops charging. On most of them the PCM just ground and ungrounds the field to control output. If it stops charging with the field unhooked then it sounds like the PCM but also make sure the field wire from the alt to the PCM is not grounded as that will make it overcharge. If it still overcharges with the field wire at the alt unhooked then it sounds like an internal alt problem. A grounded brush could also keep it overcharging. And as was said you can wire in an external regulator as I have done that for a few people who did not want to buy and alt. You just run the field ground wire to the ext regulator and also wire 12 volts at key on to the ext regulator to do it that way if its in the PCM. Ron
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Re: Need electrical help 1998 Caravan
[Re: MadMatt]
#2667699
06/19/19 07:32 PM
06/19/19 07:32 PM
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 8,162 USA
360view
Moparts resident spammer
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Moparts resident spammer
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 8,162
USA
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My 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan Sport with the 3.3 has an electrical issue. It starts and idles fine, but when when the RPM gets above 2300 the battery light comes on and the LCD dash displays go out. Any advice is appreciated! My fuzzy memory seems to recall those year minivans have a cold solder joint in a ground wire to the instrument panel that is a common problem.
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Re: Need electrical help 1998 Caravan
[Re: 360view]
#2667701
06/19/19 07:32 PM
06/19/19 07:32 PM
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 8,162 USA
360view
Moparts resident spammer
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Moparts resident spammer
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 8,162
USA
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Re: Need electrical help 1998 Caravan
[Re: 360view]
#2667702
06/19/19 07:36 PM
06/19/19 07:36 PM
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 8,162 USA
360view
Moparts resident spammer
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Moparts resident spammer
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 8,162
USA
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