2005 Dodge Grand Caravan

This was purchased as a replacement to the 2006 Town and Country which was totalled on 5/16/2024.

Purchased for $2100 from Victor Mez Robles on 5/25/2024. When we purchased it, there was a scream coming out of the belt on the left engine. Originally Victor thought it was the Belt Tensioner. So we replaced the Tensioner for $54, and this didn't fix it. So Eric Songer listened to it and felt that it was the Water Pump. So we replaced the Water Pump also for $54. While working on the Water Pump, I saw that the alternator had a crack in the cast aluminum bracket structure, so we purchased an alternator for $214 plus $40 core. After completing the work (on 5/27/2024, Memorial Day), the van no longer makes the screaming noise.

Today, 5/28/2024, I transferred the title to my name and insured the van with State Farm.

Original Registration

On a trip to Newport 9/27/2024, lost power steering, water circulation, power generation, because bolts on alternator broke off. Purchased tools near Vancouver WA to remove broken bolt pieces, and rebolted alternator. Was successful, was able to continue trip to Newport (with Christopher, Thomas and Eric).

Alternator has 3 bolts to hold it on. One of the bolts can't be used because the bracket on the timing chain cover was broken off when I purchased the van. 2 bolts seem to work, as long as they are tight.

As of this writing, the alternator has started tilting again, causing squealing from the belt. Need to loosen belt and re-tighten the bolts.

The tensionser, replaced some time ago, works really well with a breaker bar to loosen it.

[11/22/2024]

(November, 2025) I purchased tires from Les Schwab, and they refused to do an alignment because the tie rod ends were moving too much. Returned home then over the next couple of days, purchased inner and outer tie rod ends for both front wheels from Amazon, and installed them. Borrowed O'Reilly inner-tie-rod-end tool to install that.

Had some problems with the black left and right rubber “bellows” (which encapsulates the inner tie rod ends) which has a pipe so that air can flow between them. Sometimes there is a bit of a fart sound.

Return to Les Schwab, and they did the alignment. The steering is wonderful at this point.

[12/13/2025]

When trying to unlock the back tail door look with either the big button above the license plate, or with the buttons over the dash to open the door, only anemic click would be heard. I replaced the lock, and no difference. Just intermittent click, and no open.

Assumed broken wire through the back door hinge, looked for which wires were used to open the lock. There were 7 wires. Had a hard time finding the schematic in the book. It was near the back of the book and labeled Back Ajar motor.

Determined that Gray/White was not doing anything. Traced it back, saw it enters from the door trim to the main cab near upper rear-upper-brake-light, on passenger side slightly. When I started to open a multi-conductor plug, it came apart ridiculously easily. Figured out the plug was just not plugged in all the way. Plugged it in good and firm, reassembled. Good to go!

[6/20/2026]

-dw