How To Troubleshoot A Dodge Caravan OBD Engine Article

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How to Troubleshoot a Dodge Caravan OBD Engine

As we know a car's engine is a very complex machine, and for every symptom of a problem that arises, there could be several explanations. So, while troubleshooting a Caravan's engine sometimes only takes a good set of eyes while examining an engine, it still can be time consuming.

Author: Woody Green

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The Caravan's OBD system can streamline this process and cut out many false leads. How to use the OBD system depends on the year the Caravan was manufactured. The second generation of engine diagnostics became standardized in 1996. Caravans before that year use a totally different process.

You'll Need OBD 2 scanner, Pen and Paper for this job

Caravans 1996 and Newer
Insert an OBD 2 scanner into the Caravan's diagnostic Data Link Connection (DLC). It will be located under the driver's side dashboard and somewhere between the gas pedal and the left side kick panel.

Look up your scanner's user manual for the exact process. Button and faceplate orientations differ by brand of scanner, and so does the command entering process. Some scanners will turn on automatic when sensing an incoming data stream from an OBD 2 system. If you do not have this kind of scanner, you will have to press the power button and turn the device on.

Power the Caravan's engine on. If your scanner is not pre-programmed to retrieve OBD 2 codes, you will have to press the appropriate button and enter a "Scan" or "Retrieve" command.

Write down the codes your scanner device retrieved. Some may be designated as "trouble" and some may be designated as "pending." Make a list with the trouble codes at the top and the pending codes at the bottom.

Power the Caravan's engine and/or electrical system off and remove the key from the ignition. Look up your scanner's user manual for the OBD 2 generic trouble codes. If the codes is on your list but not defined in the manual, then you will have to search the supplemental OBD 2 codes online. The Caravan's user manual will not contain that information. Once you have found all the relevant code definitions, write them down in your list next to the appropriate codes.

Return to your Caravan and open the hood to the engine compartment. Begin with the trouble codes first, as they have happened frequently and activate your check engine light. Delete the codes once you have cleared them from consideration. Then, move onto the pending codes. If you still cannot find out the problem, taking the car to a Chrysler-approved mechanic for help.

Caravans 1995 and Earlier
Insert your key into the Caravan's ignition. Within the span of five seconds, turn the key back and forth in the following sequence: ON-OFF-ON-OFF-ON.

Watch the check engine light. It will start flashing code at you. Count the flashes. Chrysler's OBD I flash codes are sets of two numbers. The first number will flash, and a short pause will follow before the second number flashes. So the code 42 will be four flashes, a long pause, and two more flashes. Write all of these numbers down.

Power the Caravan's electrical system off and unplug the key from the ignition. You will need to find Chrysler's OBD I codes online. Once you find out the code descriptions, write them down next to code numbers you’re recorded.

Return to your Caravan and pop the hood. Investigate every code on your list. If your list does not supply an answer and you are stumped, ask for a professional mechanic. There are a lot of online stores over the internet; you can find that what you need online.

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How to Troubleshoot a Dodge Caravan OBD Engine