This is the first Fixing it Forward video! In this episode we go through Barbara’s list and fix what we can, and diagnose the rest. Yea, this van is old, and it has a few problems, but I think we can get it back on the road.
Here’s a run down of what’s in this installment. We deal with coolant leaks, a sticking ignition lock, weird electrical problems, windows that don’t work, and cheap Chinese parts that break when you try and use them. I’ll be diagnosing the transmission in the next installment of Fixing it Forward. Right now I need to track down some parts.
Camera: Brian Kast
Thanks for watching!
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Want to know more about Fixing it Forward?: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfBnTwpEBu0
The best place for answers to your automotive questions: http://www.ericthecarguy.com
Related videos
Pressure Testing Cooling Systems: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5p-G3UDi-A
How To Diagnose an Overheat: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUzOTnsWImI
Bleeding a Cooling System: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUpXgAJ1gjU
Basic Electrical troubleshooting 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLVu2HYtOhA
Basic Electrical troubleshooting 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVSvA0y-peA
Tools
3in1 Dry Lock Lube: http://www.3inone.com/products/lock-dry-lube/
Pressure Tester: http://www.jbtoolsales.com/prive-brand-tools-70888-deluxe-cooling-system-tester/#oid=1002_1
Battery Tester: http://www.jbtoolsales.com/fjc-45110-battery-tester-100-amp/#oid=1002_1
Power Probe 2: http://www.jbtoolsales.com/power-probe-pp219ft-power-probe-ii-diagnostic-tool-kit/#oid=1002_1
Hose Clamps: http://www.jbtoolsales.com/performance-tool-w5348-26pc-hose-clamp-assortment/#oid=1002_1
Hose Clamp Pliers: http://www.jbtoolsales.com/performance-tool-w80655-angled-hose-clamp-pliers/#oid=1002_1
Discussion about this video: http://www.ericthecarguy.com/kunena/18-The-EricTheCarGuy-Video-Forum/57309-1998-chrysler-town-country-diagnosis#132982
Useful articles.
Engine overheat: http://www.ericthecarguy.com/faq/what-to-do-when-your-engine-overheats
No start problems: http://www.ericthecarguy.com/faq/solving-automotive-no-start-problems
Idle issues: http://www.ericthecarguy.com/faq/solving-automotive-idle-problems
Performance issues: http://www.ericthecarguy.com/faq/solving-automotive-performance-issues
Diagnosing Noises: http://www.ericthecarguy.com/faq/diagnosing-noises-in-your-car
Diagnosing Vibrations: http://www.ericthecarguy.com/faq/determining-the-causes-of-vehicle-vibrations
Electrical Problems: http://www.ericthecarguy.com/faq/solving-automotive-electrical-problems
Brake Issues: http://www.ericthecarguy.com/faq/solving-brake-problems
Transmission issues: http://www.ericthecarguy.com/faq/solving-transmission-problems
HVAC problems: http://www.ericthecarguy.com/faq/solving-automotive-hvac-problems
Buying a Used Car: http://www.ericthecarguy.com/faq/what-to-look-for-in-a-used-car-purchase
Leaks: http://www.ericthecarguy.com/faq/finding-and-fixing-leaks
MPG: http://ericthecarguy.com/faq/finding-and-fixing-the-causes-of-poor-mpg
The best place for answers to your automotive questions: http://www.ericthecarguy.com
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Stay Dirty
ETCG
Due to factors beyond the control of EricTheCarGuy, it cannot guarantee against unauthorized modifications of this information, or improper use of this information.  EricTheCarGuy assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. EricTheCarGuy recommends safe practices when working with power tools, automotive lifts, lifting tools, jack stands, electrical equipment, blunt instruments, chemicals, lubricants, or any other tools or equipment seen or implied in this video.  Due to factors beyond the control of EricTheCarGuy, no information contained in this video shall create any express or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not EricTheCarGuy.
I’m excited to watch this series, I saw the new video on ETCG1 and you were talking about this van. The videos that are more a day in the life of a mechanic like this are awesome, the list of problems and then diagnosis and fixing it.
The Security ISSUES PLEASE ðŸ™ÂÂðŸ™ÂÂðŸ™ÂÂ
I HAVE THIS DUMB CAR and the alarm goes off when I unlock the door with the keys it came with and when I go to start it will start but then cut itself off like 3x then will NOT start At ALL 😡
I usually have to wait 24 hrs for it to reset itself but this last time it took a WEEK before it would start again…
I am ready to blow this thing to pieces or enter it in a crash up derby 😋😜
My diagnosis: Barbara get a new van. Either Toyota Sienna or Honda Odessey.
Im not sure if you'll even see this but I have a quick question. 02 town and country, I came around the corner today and had the steering turned pretty far and heard a tiny pop noise and I lost all power steering instantly. The fluid is full not making any noise and when i rev the engine i can see the fluid change level in the reservoir. When i bought it a yr ago there was power steering pump noise but it was low on fluid. I put a stop leak in and never had another issue til now. Do you think its a rack and pension issue..???
I need help with my 98 Chevy suburban. Please
That Chrysler van is as old as I am
2002 LX, dash freaks out on turn signal. And, car intermittent starts.. sometimes first try, other times after several. ???
There is no me without you…if you have any questions feel free to ask or email me! Thanks
How can both motors be dead at the same time…
I have a 02 taonw a country . beep sound and minete aftrer tha engime dies.h
Junk it Chrysler is such a crappy vehicle can’t believe this company was bailed out. Good series though
Thanks will watch these as I have an 2006 T&C
Harbor Freight amazes me sometimes. Some stuff is total junk and yet There's some stuff is so good I've been using it for 25 years.
flatten ir out with a D10
I got a couple codes on my 2003 town and country, a 1595 and a 1694 any idea what these might be fore? I appreciate your help very much.
Good stuff
You should get "ABA sweden" hose clamps, with blue housing. Indestructible.
Very nice video. Learned a lot. You make troubleshooting simple, Thank You.
starting with the most expensive? on an older vehicle start with the ones that keep it from stopping or running correctly,my point is an a/c job can and is usually the most expensive repair when other more important repairs need to be done
I have 98 plymouth grand voyager 3.3 v6 when start engine instrument cluster not work: gauge PRND12 and millage , I'm following some video. you have , have change fuse box engine compartment and fuse box under dashboard driver side+ BCM because wiper turn on but not turn off so do you have some tips or what I can do in this case ? beforehand thank you very much for you help
cool video. i like the concept of helpin people out
Eric the Great.
help I have a 99 town and country  obd connecter has no power, radio not working, interior lights only come on with the key in acc/run position. turn signals and hazard lights don't work. a/c controls flash, is there one common thing I should look for? fuses good relays seem to be working. when I pull the flasher fuse in and out I can feel it clicking. any ideas would greatly appreciated…  I have not pulled the dash to check the panel behind the cluster……
nice to see a lift !!! I don't know how you got by without one !!!!! (I personally HATE working on the ground or on creepers)
repair reuse recycle save.
On the vent window motors, the way they operate is to stall at the end of travel. Since the operation can't be easily seen from the front seat, it is common for someone to hold the switch in the open/close position longer than needed, so the armature will develop a dead spot at the full open/close position. If possible, take the motor off of the actuator & rotate it a quarter turn, or so, then put it back together. The motor should work because the dead spot will now be skipped over as the armature rotates. I have never tried it on this particular motor but I've saved lots of money on power window motors with this trick.
whats the best way to clean your egr value on a 98 dodge caravan 3.3
dude thanks a bunch I have a 99 voyager its rockin but gettin old so its good to look at a "fixing it forward" type to see how the engine was built.
same thing happen to me harbor junk clamp's!!! I bought a rack with all sizes'' from napa made in usa real burly!!!
thank you so much on your heater core flush it works great, your the man eric thank you.
right off the bat i noticed we have the same Harbor Freight rechargeable light. I laughed at the crap Harbor Freight clamp breaking. Great video and for a great cause your awesome!
I use the graphite stuff myself, it's never failed me, like on my 99 Explorer, when I got it, and the manual locks had never been used, and the remote was lost. As for the Harbor Freight clamps, they've always been like that, we have some from back when they first came to our area, and they're just that bad
LOL!!! I totally agree eric a lot of stuff from harbor is junk!!! but sometime's your in a pinch funny!!!
doesn't Chrysler/mopar suggest orange coolant in these?
I was gonna say I agree the heated seats are not really critical around this time of year. I replaced one in my 2006 Pilot. Took me 7 hours to do the job.
13:27 fuel tank and radiator repair epoxy baby!!
Electrical gremlins could be due to the battery going bad. less than 12v available to the system and things don't operate as designed. And what where the components that actually failed permanently, why the two components susceptible to voltage drop furthest away from the battery.
Both motors for the back window failed at the same time….. pull them out and make sure!
That fuse testing…blew my mind. I've always pulled them out.
that's how it goes when u buy from harbor freight =)
Eric could make 30 videos just from this one vehicle.
At least the antifreeze is clean.
When I bought my 2000 subaru new, I almost bought a chrysler 4 cylinder van instead.  Dodged (ha ha) a bullet on that one.
Hey you stole my idea! No seriously though it is great to see other techs help people in need with our vast knowledge of vehicles most of this stuff is simple fixes as you have shown. I am planning a summer tour across America this year doing the same thing I just hope it all goes smoothly.
Hey Eric for a radiator repair check out sixtyfiveford for radiator repair/welding it sounds weird but it does work I did it to my 1989 f150 and haven't had any problems with it
I prefer gear lube showers over coolant showers.
Eric your a hell of a guy man im a big fan im a just starting out tech at a local Honda dealer in ohio and have learned a lot from your videos… also I think its freaking great how you go out of your way to help out people in need and people trying to become techs…. you deserve the good fortune that has come to you and so much more man thanks
hit the ignition key with a hammer??! so typical for women. yeah, smack it and the problem will go away… moron.
Eric The Car Guy,
Love the video as i also own a 98 grand caravan that had some of the same issues. have you figured out the dash issue yet?
I have done some research on this as our van's dash acted up as well.. It seems like it has been a common issue in the dodge minivans. I had to pull the cluster out and resolder many of the solder points on the circuit board as they were cracked or came completely apart in some areas.. our dash would only act up it seemed when the heater was on and it got good and hot. After fixing the solder points we are on yr 2 after and no more cluster problems. Saved us a lot of money as the cluster board is a dealer only part. Thanks for the videos. Love your channel.