Weird electrical problem in 1996 Dodge Caravan

Our 1996 Caravan has developed a strange electrical problem. Recently,
when the car was started, the yellow "ABS" light on the upper dash
stayed illuminated, and the radio did not work.

A few days later we had the problem again, and we were able to do a bit
more testing. What does not work includes:

ABS warning light
Radio
Ventilator fan
Windshield wipers

Maybe more -- we don't know

Headlights all seem to be fine.

The failure is intermittent -- shutting the car off and waiting a few
minutes seems to clear whatever is causing the fault.

I have a suspicion that all these things are related through a common
connection, or relay, or something. The problem is, I don't have a
wiring diagram of the vehicle to troubleshoot it.

Any suggestions as to what might be the problem?

thanks, Isaac

"Isaac Wingfield" > wrote in message
...
> Our 1996 Caravan has developed a strange electrical problem. Recently,
> when the car was started, the yellow "ABS" light on the upper dash
> stayed illuminated, and the radio did not work.
>
> A few days later we had the problem again, and we were able to do a bit
> more testing. What does not work includes:
>
> ABS warning light
> Radio
> Ventilator fan
> Windshield wipers
>
> Maybe more -- we don't know
>
> Headlights all seem to be fine.
>
> The failure is intermittent -- shutting the car off and waiting a few
> minutes seems to clear whatever is causing the fault.
>
> I have a suspicion that all these things are related through a common
> connection, or relay, or something. The problem is, I don't have a
> wiring diagram of the vehicle to troubleshoot it.
>
> Any suggestions as to what might be the problem?
>
> thanks, Isaac
Make sure your ignition switch is going back to the run position after you
start the vehicle, do you have alot of keys on your key ring that may be
preventing this from happening?

i would also check for fault codes in the bcm and restraint system before i
did anything

maxpower wrote:

> "Isaac Wingfield" > wrote in message
> ...
> > Our 1996 Caravan has developed a strange electrical problem. Recently,
> > when the car was started, the yellow "ABS" light on the upper dash
> > stayed illuminated, and the radio did not work.
> >
> > A few days later we had the problem again, and we were able to do a bit
> > more testing. What does not work includes:
> >
> > ABS warning light
> > Radio
> > Ventilator fan
> > Windshield wipers
> >
> > Maybe more -- we don't know
> >
> > Headlights all seem to be fine.
> >
> > The failure is intermittent -- shutting the car off and waiting a few
> > minutes seems to clear whatever is causing the fault.
> >
> > I have a suspicion that all these things are related through a common
> > connection, or relay, or something. The problem is, I don't have a
> > wiring diagram of the vehicle to troubleshoot it.
> >
> > Any suggestions as to what might be the problem?
> >
> > thanks, Isaac
> Make sure your ignition switch is going back to the run position after you
> start the vehicle, do you have alot of keys on your key ring that may be
> preventing this from happening?

Sounds like a problem with a ground connection somewhere. This van is known
for wierd electrical problems caused by them. There is a grounding stud at
the base of the trans dip stick bracket. Disassemble, shine it up and
reassemble. There are others, too.
Rick

"mic canic" > wrote in message
...
i would also check for fault codes in the bcm and restraint system before i
did anything

maxpower wrote:

> "Isaac Wingfield" > wrote in message
> ...
> > Our 1996 Caravan has developed a strange electrical problem. Recently,
> > when the car was started, the yellow "ABS" light on the upper dash
> > stayed illuminated, and the radio did not work.
> >
> > A few days later we had the problem again, and we were able to do a bit
> > more testing. What does not work includes:
> >
> > ABS warning light
> > Radio
> > Ventilator fan
> > Windshield wipers
> >
> > Maybe more -- we don't know
> >
> > Headlights all seem to be fine.
> >
> > The failure is intermittent -- shutting the car off and waiting a few
> > minutes seems to clear whatever is causing the fault.
> >
> > I have a suspicion that all these things are related through a common
> > connection, or relay, or something. The problem is, I don't have a
> > wiring diagram of the vehicle to troubleshoot it.
> >
> > Any suggestions as to what might be the problem?
> >
> > thanks, Isaac
> Make sure your ignition switch is going back to the run position after you
> start the vehicle, do you have alot of keys on your key ring that may be
> preventing this from happening?