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Really weird electrical problem 98 Caravan #2743715
02/16/20 07:30 PM
02/16/20 07:30 PM
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 730
Nampa, ID
MadMatt Offline OP
super stock
MadMatt  Offline OP
super stock

Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 730
Nampa, ID
My 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan has a REALLY weird electrical problem with the driver's side turn signal. The signal works properly except when the headlights are on AND you're stepping on the brake pedal. If the headlights are on and your applying the brakes the left turn signal will flash double speed as if the signal bulb was out, but the signal is actually flashing double speed and the reverse lights on both sides flash with it! What makes it even weirder is that the bulb checks fine on a multi-meter, but if I swap it for a "new" bulb the problem disappears for a week or so. I recently replaced the left side tail light housing with a Dorman replacement part. I am completely baffled. Does anyone have any suggestions??


Some see the glass as half empty, some see the glass as half full. I just drink straight out of the bottle.
Re: Really weird electrical problem 98 Caravan [Re: MadMatt] #2743722
02/16/20 08:08 PM
02/16/20 08:08 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 32,883
Grand Prairie,Texas
stumpy Online content
I Win
stumpy  Online Content
I Win

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 32,883
Grand Prairie,Texas
Sounds like a ground issue.

Re: Really weird electrical problem 98 Caravan [Re: stumpy] #2743904
02/17/20 12:09 PM
02/17/20 12:09 PM
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 19,239
north of coder
moparx Offline
"Butt Crack Bob"
moparx  Offline
"Butt Crack Bob"

Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 19,239
north of coder
check the socket where it plugs into the light for corrosion or cracked insulation on the ground wire - as stumpy suggests, a bad ground.
beer

Re: Really weird electrical problem 98 Caravan [Re: moparx] #2743951
02/17/20 01:38 PM
02/17/20 01:38 PM
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 472
Central NY
G
GarageDodge Offline
mopar
GarageDodge  Offline
mopar
G

Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 472
Central NY
bad ground.

Re: Really weird electrical problem 98 Caravan [Re: MadMatt] #2743997
02/17/20 06:05 PM
02/17/20 06:05 PM
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 730
Nampa, ID
MadMatt Offline OP
super stock
MadMatt  Offline OP
super stock

Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 730
Nampa, ID
I checked the plug and the housing and didn't see any damage but when I put the plug back on I pushed really hard and it seemed to seat slightly deeper than it was before. The problem has disappeared for now. Hopefully it's permanent. Thanks for all the help guys! I'm sure you're right about it being a bad ground. If the problem returns I'll do another search for the problem in the wiring.


Some see the glass as half empty, some see the glass as half full. I just drink straight out of the bottle.
Re: Really weird electrical problem 98 Caravan [Re: MadMatt] #2744026
02/17/20 07:58 PM
02/17/20 07:58 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,644
So Near, Yet So Far
topside Online content
Too Many Posts
topside  Online Content
Too Many Posts

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,644
So Near, Yet So Far
Matt, it doesn't take much it seems to go screwy.
(The car, not you - you've been screwy for at least 35 years laugh2)
The Mighty Wheeze gets condensation in its R/R tail light, and every couple years I gotta take it apart, clean it, and the signals work well until the next go-round.
290,000 miles now, and I'm gonna see if the little guy will outlive me...







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