Headlight problem

[Joey_GTR]

hey everyone, i hope someone can help me with this problem im having with my 2001 dodge caravan se. the headlight wont turn on on one side, but when i turn it off, the other side turns off. does anyone know what the problem may be?

[navin1]

did u v\check the bulb/ wires???

[jimmy_on_20]

do what i did to a 62 belair... just run new wires to the bulbs... then have a switch inside the van to flick them on... its a hack jimmy righ but it works and i only did it to that car ciz my buddys lights kept turning off by themself.. i think its just cuz he had such a old switch on them

[Joey_GTR]

i find that on humid days, they both work. but for now i just keep something to hold the headlight flicker on

[skillz1two]

hey first check the bulb. bulb is usually the culprit. if the bulb is ok. you need
to check for powers and ground. there should be 2 power and 1 ground. all
together 3 wires. the powers and ground are coming from the power distribution center which is where they house the relays and fuse. if you have
no power coming out of there your looking at a wiring problem or the pdc
problem. let me know what happens. email me at mgabriola@gmail.com. if you have any questions.

[Doc]

Can you describe a little better whats happening and when?
(example, flickers when you play with the switch?)
(daylight comes on, only sometimes?)
(daylight doesn't work , but the high beam does?)
hope to help.

[Joey_GTR]

one headlight wont turn on, but i kinda fixed it. i took the power going to the left light and split it to the right one, now it works fine.

[Davegh77]

Originally Posted by Joey_GTR

one headlight wont turn on, but i kinda fixed it. i took the power going to the left light and split it to the right one, now it works fine.

2001 Dodge Grand Caravan headlight issue updated.
Well now that it has been a couple of weeks and the lights are still working properly on the van. So that tells me that the problem is with the FCM. I have since also done the same thing to a friends van ( 2002 though) and for the last 9 days, it has also worked without a glitch.

So, for anyone who was thinking of running off to the dealer and forking out hundreds for part(s) and labour. Don’t do it. Chances are, removing the FCM yourself, cleaning it, replacing it will save you hundreds. Forget wasting your time trying to get it done through Dodge. It takes all of 10 minutes and your good to go.

In case anyone wants to know: It is a very simple process.
1. Just remove the plastic cover over the PDC ( which is the black cover beside the battery. )
2. Looking at the front of the PDC is a silver housing with 4 torx screws.
3. Remove the 4 screws.
4. Pull out the FCM housing. ( It separates from the PDC )
5. Looking at the FCM, you’ll see 2 rows of needle pins, and 1 row of flat pins.
6. The flat pins are the culprits, what I did was use a fine small file and cleaned both sides of the flat pins only. They appeared to have a white coating of buildup on them.
7. Then I took small needle nose pliers and gave each flat pin a very small slight twist. Not to much, but a noticeable twist.
8. I re-inserted the FCM into the PDC, tighten back the 4 torx screws and voila!
9. Lights have been on for the last 2 weeks and 5 days now.

Now, if I could just get my power window on the passenger side to work 100 % of the time as opposed to 75 % of the time, I’d be a happy camper.

[Sunny1too]

With regard to the headlight problem I was having, THANK YOU!. I did the maintenance on the FCM and my lights seem to be working perfectly.:thumbsup:

[reidrkl]

Originally Posted by Doc

Can you describe a little better whats happening and when?
(example, flickers when you play with the switch?)
(daylight comes on, only sometimes?)
(daylight doesn't work , but the high beam does?)
hope to help.

This is from a different person. My name is Robert my e-mail is reidrkl@sympatico.ca

I have a 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan The electrical has been strange from day one. Everytime I got to the dealerit was working. Anyway the headlights you turn on the key and you get daytime running light on drivers side. Turn lights to on and drivers side running light goes out and passanger side headlight comes on. Turn on high beam and passenger side goes out and drivers side highbeam comes on. If youhold the flicker on you get a high on drivers side and a low on passenger side. All bulbs are good have all been checked and replaced. Also every once in a while one or two months everything goes back to norma and lasts maby 3 days.

This vehicle has had a simalar problem with the dash lights for no reason you go to use the vehicle and no dash lights they might stay not working for days weeks or months. This however has not hapened lately. Hope you can help Thanks

[Sunny1too]

Originally Posted by Joey_GTR

one headlight wont turn on, but i kinda fixed it. i took the power going to the left light and split it to the right one, now it works fine.

Hey Joey

I fixed the same problem by following davegh77's advice posted on 01-11-2008. It worked initially but came back after two weeks so I took another friend's advice and put a tiny bit of spark plug protector (dielectric grease I think it is called) on the sides of the flat pin and worked the FCM back and forth a few times to make a good connection. That was about six weeks ago and the problem is solved...hopefully for good. Take care.

Don

[reidrkl]

Originally Posted by Davegh77

2001 Dodge Grand Caravan headlight issue updated.
Well now that it has been a couple of weeks and the lights are still working properly on the van. So that tells me that the problem is with the FCM. I have since also done the same thing to a friends van ( 2002 though) and for the last 9 days, it has also worked without a glitch.

So, for anyone who was thinking of running off to the dealer and forking out hundreds for part(s) and labour. Don’t do it. Chances are, removing the FCM yourself, cleaning it, replacing it will save you hundreds. Forget wasting your time trying to get it done through Dodge. It takes all of 10 minutes and your good to go.

In case anyone wants to know: It is a very simple process.
1. Just remove the plastic cover over the PDC ( which is the black cover beside the battery. )
2. Looking at the front of the PDC is a silver housing with 4 torx screws.
3. Remove the 4 screws.
4. Pull out the FCM housing. ( It separates from the PDC )
5. Looking at the FCM, you’ll see 2 rows of needle pins, and 1 row of flat pins.
6. The flat pins are the culprits, what I did was use a fine small file and cleaned both sides of the flat pins only. They appeared to have a white coating of buildup on them.
7. Then I took small needle nose pliers and gave each flat pin a very small slight twist. Not to much, but a noticeable twist.
8. I re-inserted the FCM into the PDC, tighten back the 4 torx screws and voila!
9. Lights have been on for the last 2 weeks and 5 days now.

Now, if I could just get my power window on the passenger side to work 100 % of the time as opposed to 75 % of the time, I’d be a happy camper.

Davegh77 There is no way I can put into words how much I appreciate you posting. After months of problems your posting had all the lights working normally in 20 minuts. Thank you thank you.

[Jay Martin]

there must be some other prob

whts the solution then ?

[wizard]

Originally Posted by Davegh77

2001 Dodge Grand Caravan headlight issue updated.
Well now that it has been a couple of weeks and the lights are still working properly on the van. So that tells me that the problem is with the FCM. I have since also done the same thing to a friends van ( 2002 though) and for the last 9 days, it has also worked without a glitch.

So, for anyone who was thinking of running off to the dealer and forking out hundreds for part(s) and labour. Don’t do it. Chances are, removing the FCM yourself, cleaning it, replacing it will save you hundreds. Forget wasting your time trying to get it done through Dodge. It takes all of 10 minutes and your good to go.

In case anyone wants to know: It is a very simple process.
1. Just remove the plastic cover over the PDC ( which is the black cover beside the battery. )
2. Looking at the front of the PDC is a silver housing with 4 torx screws.
3. Remove the 4 screws.
4. Pull out the FCM housing. ( It separates from the PDC )
5. Looking at the FCM, you’ll see 2 rows of needle pins, and 1 row of flat pins.
6. The flat pins are the culprits, what I did was use a fine small file and cleaned both sides of the flat pins only. They appeared to have a white coating of buildup on them.
7. Then I took small needle nose pliers and gave each flat pin a very small slight twist. Not to much, but a noticeable twist.
8. I re-inserted the FCM into the PDC, tighten back the 4 torx screws and voila!
9. Lights have been on for the last 2 weeks and 5 days now.

Now, if I could just get my power window on the passenger side to work 100 % of the time as opposed to 75 % of the time, I’d be a happy camper.

More people should know about this fix.Was quoted anywhere from 100.00 -1000.00 bucks for repairs:thumbsuproblem has plaqued us all summer and the repair took no more than 20 mins. Misses says "extra rewards tonite" THANKS GUYS

[Davi]

Originally Posted by Joey_GTR

hey everyone, i hope someone can help me with this problem im having with my 2001 dodge caravan se.
the headlight wont turn on on one side, but when i turn it off, the other side turns off. does anyone know what the problem may be?

Buddy

you should check your lights blub or wiring. it can be some thing rong wid wiring.