Issue ID | 685167 |
Internal NHTSA # | 10235826 |
Manufacurer | CHRYSLER LLC |
Brand | DODGE |
Model | CARAVAN |
Model Year | 1997 |
File date | 18/12/97 |
Component | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING |
Product type code | VEHICLE |
Description of the problem | Bought a 1998 dodge grand caravan in 1997. The serpentine belt came off numerous times, usually when going through puddles or snow. When the belt comes off, all power to steering, brakes, etc. Is gone. This is a common complaint with these vans, yet dodge/chrysler has refused to admit it and recall it. I finally got tire of it and took a look at why it was happening. I noticed that the idler wheel closest to the front of the vehicle is shaped and mounted in a way that allows the belt to come off easily. The idler wheel is too far in and is beveled outward, causing the belt to come off when it became wet or got snow or ice pieces on it. The cure? A 5 cent washer placed behind this idler wheel, bringing it out ever so slightly, but enough to prevent it from coming off ever again. Not the tensioner or the belt or any of the other excuses they charge you for, just a simple washer that acts like a spacer. |
Vehicle Mileage at Failure | 3000 |
Number of Occurences | 1 |
Source of the issue | NHTSA WEB SITE |
City and State | PLOVER, WI |
VIN pattern | XXXXXX |
Was vehicle invloved in a crash? | N |
Was vehicle involved in a fire? | N |
Was incedent reported to police? | N |
Was medical attention required? | |
Was part original equipment? | |
No. of injured persons | 0 |
No. of fatalities | 0 |
Date of purchase | 30/06/24 |
Was original owner? | N |
Anti-lock brakes | N |
Cruise control | N |
Number of cylinders | |
Drive train type | |
Transmission type | |
Vehicle speed | 65 |
DoT tire identifier | |
Tire size | |
Location of tire code | |
Type of tire failure code | |
Was defective tire repaired? | |
Date of manufacture | |
Type of child seat code | |
Type of restraint | |
Dealer's name | |
Dealer's telephone number | |
Dealer's city | |
Dealer's state code | |
Dealer's ZIP code |