Headlight problem
12-01-2008, 10:37 AM
#16
~~ Hardcore Newb ~~
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Orillia, ON
Posts: 4
Rep Power: 0 
THERE IS A MORE DETAILED POST IF YOU READ THEM ALL IT IS BY Joey_GTR
09-07-2009, 04:03 PM
#17
~~ Hardcore Newb ~~
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Mississauga
Posts: 1
Rep Power: 0 
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.
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.
11-03-2009, 05:28 PM
#19
~~ Hardcore Newb ~~
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Perth
Posts: 1
Rep Power: 0 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.
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.
03-22-2010, 02:11 AM
#20
~~ Hardcore Newb ~~
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: US
Posts: 2
Rep Power: 0
I was installing a glow gauge on my 2000 camaro v6 and I tapped into the brown and black wires behind the lamp switch for the headlights boxster accessories and everything was running fine. I started my car and the glow gauge turned on when I turned my headlamp switch to the on position. All i needed to do was adjust the needles on the gauge and put everything back together. I turned the car off and a few minutes later I tried to start the car again and it wouldn't turn over.
04-27-2010, 10:55 AM
#21
~~ Hardcore Newb ~~
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: ridgetown
Posts: 2
Rep Power: 0
Any other suggestions to this head light issue would be helpful.
Frick'n weird, if it was just one side this would be much simpler to trouble shoot.
Not the bulbs.
No loose or corroded wiring.
FCM Pins are clean.
One running light works, turn the headlights on and the problem switches sides>>>>......
I have done all as suggested, but still with no avail.
Frick'n weird, if it was just one side this would be much simpler to trouble shoot.
Not the bulbs.
No loose or corroded wiring.
FCM Pins are clean.
One running light works, turn the headlights on and the problem switches sides>>>>......
I have done all as suggested, but still with no avail.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)