READ THIS IF YOU HAVE AN INTERMITTENT TIPM PROBLEM!!!! IT MAY FIX YOUR PROBLEM

Hello to all. I have a grand caravan that has had an intermittent electrical issue for years, and it has never been fixed until now, though its been looked at by multiple mechanics. I fixed it myself in less than 1 hour for $500. I post this here now, as a way to thank all of those whose posts I've read, and who helped me to wind my way through to an eventual solution to our car woes.

So, we bought the car used and after about a year we noticed very infrequent dead ignition conditions. You would go start the car, and it was just completely dead. Each time, disconnecting the battery and "rebooting" the electronics solved the problem. It got more and more frequent to the point that I installed an actual battery switch to make it easier (no wrenches to disconnect the cable anymore). We had it looked at by my normal mechanic who said it was probably the TIPM, WIN or ECM module or some wiring in between. That's not very helpful. The dealer said it was the TIPM, but would not agree that if the TIPM replacement failed to fix it, it would be no cost to me, so I said no thanks.

As time went on, it went from being a monthly issue, to weekly, to sometimes multiple times in the same day. During this time, we had the Dodge recall done where they replaced the WIN and the keys (eliminating that as the problem), and had the wiring harness replaced in the drivers door (which was brought about by my noticing the dash would go haywire when the door was opened and shut - broken wires in a connector). None of these solved the original problem.

I knew about the TIPM and WIN defects that these cars are known for from research on the internet, but my symptoms never quite matched the common presentations of these problems - so I just kept thinking and looking. I even bought a high end scan tool to help figure it out. Now, I am an engineer, not electrical or automotive, but with the same type of training and a background in electronics and machines, so I bought a shop manual and started studying the schematics. Every intuition I had was this was a wiring problem. This was now a point of personal pride to solve this.

So this winter, the problem was getting worse. The horn died, the turn signals stopped working properly, and the remote start stopped working. Our mechanic couldn't figure it out, and he thought it would be a dealer only fix due to the electronics modules, so we took it to the dealer again and they said WIN module would be the first step, and if that didn't fix it, then the TIPM would be the next likely suspect. If that didn't work, then the ECM would be next. They wouldn't agree any of this would be the fix, so I told them to shove it. I can guess too!

Armed with my shop manual, scan tool, internet research and my giant brain, I decided to take the plunge and replace the TIPM myself. I removed the old unit, and inspected every connector and wire diligently, and put the new unit in, including the 12 second handshake routine. Success, sort of. It solved about half of the gremlins, so I went back to the internet and found a reference to a similar horn and light problem on a Pacifica of the same age. This led me to think it was the wiring again, but now the prime suspect was a ground. I went through the car chassis, checking every ground I could find (made possible by the very thorough shop manual).

Unbelievably to me, the problem is UNDER the TIPM. There is a chassis ground under there (identified by dodge as chassis ground G100), buried under all of the connectors and looms, that was the source of the problem. It is literally the personification of designed obsolescence, being that it's a poorly designed connector with one large ground conductor mechanically crimped to 6 very small gauge grounds. It had just corroded so far that the small leads had all rotted away. and of course, guess where they lead - the TIPM. I soldered new leads into the corroded ground wires, soldered on a new copper ground eye and bolted it all back down (after sealing everything up with silicone and heat shrink).

This issue has become the most annoying thing ever, I have gotten to the point that I don't trust driving the van very far because I'm afraid it will stop working. We bought this to take my elderly parents to doctor appointments and to carry our grandkids around but I don't feel it is safe to do any of those things. We have had a guy look at this van so many times and he things he gets it fixed and then it starts having the same dinging sound, wipers going off all the gages are turning on and off and the dash lights are all showing and then disappear. I was so glad to find this web site to finally understand what is going on.

TIPM This electrical issue puts all drivers life at risk. When you cannot control the electronics in your vehicle driving or stationary sometimes not even running, my children and family are at risk. My DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SXT goes off at random with wipers, horn, locks all doing what they want when they want. Came out to the parking lot to see my van totally possessed lights flashing, horn beeping, wipers both front and back going along with wiper fluid being sprayed. Had to manually get into engine compartment to remove a relay switch in the TIPM to get it to stop. Same thing driving on the highway the other day with all the same symptoms except the power door locks popped open and I lost most of my power brakes and power steering. Lucky to stop eventually on a deserted road. When the main "computer" has it's own mind .......Time for a CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT in CANADA against CHRYSLER. Wait until the dead toll mounts.

I went out to start my van and once I pressed my unlock the horn started blowing, the front and rear windshield wipers started flapping like crazy, the windshield wiper fluid was spraying front and rear. I tried to turn it off by hitting my panic button---no response. I live in a busy residential area with small children and was worried I would be waking up the neighborhood. I tried my other fob but no change. I used my key in my fob and tried to unlock my door but it locked it again immediately. Finally it stopped and I could drive. Made me very nervous about driving as not sure if it would do this again.

Driving down the road at night, the headlights and all dash lights go off. Then they will come back on. It will be fine for a while the if you have the radio on and the lights on, the lights will go out then if you turn the radio off the lights will come back on. It has been going on for a year and a half. I was told it was a control module, but since it doesn't do it all the time it is hard to figure out for sure and I am not going to just change out parts, but I would like to find out what is wrong with out it costing me several hundred dollars.

i went to unlock my van after a long day at work in a crowded marina parking lot and it went off. The horn was blaring, the front and rear windshield wipers were going at full speed, the windshield wiper fluid was spraying like crazy. A tow truck driver came over to help me but he didn't know what to do either. My fob had no effect. I could not get into my van and it was bothersome to all the other people around. Finally it quit after several humiliating minutes. Very frustrating and embarrassing. This needs to be dealt with.

I had just parked in parking lot, and decided to go to another shopping center. I had not even got out of the van yet. When I went to start my van the horn started blaring, the front and rear windshield wipers started going full speed, the windshield wiper fluid was spraying madly. Nothing i did stopped the van. I disconnected the battery for some peace and quiet. I tried to reconnect it but everything started going off again. Van was not driveable like this. I called my brother in law who came from work to help me. We disconnected the right and left horn fuse, the front and rear windshield wiper fuses and the fluid fuse and even then when the battery was reconnected every relay was buzzing and the dash board lights were blinking. I took it to an electrical shopnd had the battery tested but it was fine. They had never seen anything like this. I drove it to dodge dealer but on the way the van returned back to normal. They kept the van and replaced the fuses but could not identify the problem. I went online when I got home and was surprised to find that so many others had this exact problem.

While driving all of a sudden the van's horn started blaring, the front and rear windshield wipers started flapping at full speed, and the washer fluid was coming out so fast onto the windshield that I could not see. I pulled over and disconnected the battery. I borrowed some pliers from a stranger to disconnect the larger relays and i used the fuse disconnect tool to remove the smaller ones that affected the right and left horns, the front and rear windshield wipers, and the washer fluid. Being as this was a Sunday our dodge dealership was only open for sales. I had to borrow a vehicle and as of now have not found a solution to my problem.. Dodge needs to be up front with its customers and say what is wrong. I was told it might be grounds or the TIPM. The TIPM will cost over $500 plus taxes plus a core fee that will be returned once I bring the old one to them. Plus I need to find someone to install it. This is ridiculous!!! And now I truly feel it is dangerous as if it goes off while I'm driving I may end up having an accident.

The wiring for the automatic doors gets pinched/damaged from the opening and closing of the doors. At first the doors stutter or don't open properly all the time, but after a while the door will stop working altogether. With a bit of know-how and some internet searching you can probably replace the damaged section of wire. Taking it to the dealer will probably cost you several hundred $$$ because they will want to replace the harness that controls the door. Another engineering flaw that is common and should be covered under a non-safety recall...

This is our 2nd Grand Dodge Caravan. Our 1st was a 2001, and ironically enough, we ended up getting rid of due to electrical issues! Since we've owned this van, we've had nothing but issues, and recall fix after recall. I also REALLY enjoy the driver's side window getting stuck, and how when it's cold out, or has snowed, my automatic sliding doors don't open, and I have to drop my kids off at school via crawling through the front passenger side seat. It's also been amazing having our $6,000 factory installed dual DVD player click on & off, and the middle screen hasn't worked for years! ONTO our demonic issues....

Our problem started in Jan 2015, the van would sputter to start, and then, all of the gauges would light up, the windshield wipers would go on and off, turn signals would blink, and all gauges would go up and down; there was also a delightful beeping sound that would accompany this. These episodes would normally last 15-20 min, and after that, my possessed vehicle would behave as normal. However, in July 2015, after a good 45 min drive with blinking and windshield wipers going back and forth, all of my gauges dropped to zero. All temperature, RPM, & speed needles ceased to work. My mileage also stopped logging, and every possible light with lit up on my dash board.

We took it to the Dodge Dealership who charged us $90 to hook up to their computer, and another $400 to "update the computer." After this, the gauges & needles to seemed to work normally, but my VES (DVD system) will no longer turn on. My check engine light is STILL on. Today, while driving, my van began shaking, and my #5 cylinder is misfiring & needs to be replaced.

I'm logging my complaint here for several reasons:

1. Every recall we've had to take to the Dealership has cost us $. We've been charged some sort of service, except for the key replacement.

2. Dodge needs to seriously examine their manufacturing defect. This electrical issue seems to be a prevalent problem on many other makes of dodge. (just do a quick google search)

3. I have 4 kids. I need a vehicle that works, more importantly, I need my DVD system to work. We purposefully got the FACTORY installed DUAL DVD system for my sanity. I will Fred Flintstone my van around town, but for the love of mercy, please some figure out a solution to fix the DVD system.

On December 10, 2014, my check engine light came on. I drove my 2008 Grand Caravan SXT (140,000 miles on it) to the local parts dealer and performed a diagnostic. The code indicated that there was an issue with my TIPM. I called the dealership, explained the issue and scheduled an appointment for a full diagnostic. Nothing found. The code did not pop up on their system.

On December 11, 2014 I walked to the parking lot to find my van acting totally crazy (the “Poltergeist”). The horn was honking, windshield wipers were going full speed, windshield washer fluid was spraying everywhere and the internal and external lights were flashing. I attempted to use my key fob to unlock the doors but it did not work. I manually entered the van in hopes that starting the van would stop the Poltergeist. The van would not start. After about 20 minutes, all that remained was a soft horn constantly honking and the lights sporadically flashing. I hit the unlock button on the key fob – the horn honked loudly. I hit the lock button on the key fob – the washer fluid sprayed. I called a tow truck and they jump started the van. I drove it home with no additional problems. I had the battery replaced the next day assuming that they may be the issue.

Unfortunately, no. Four days later, as I was driving home, at night, the Poltergeist return with all the events described herein reoccurring. Again, as I was driving. I made it home and pulled into the garage, turned “off” the van and pulled the key fab out of the ignition. The van remained running. I had the key fab in my hand and I backed the van right back out of the garage and drove it to the dealership with the Poltergeist slowing down to nothing.

As I was talking to the service guy, the van is now completely turned off but all of a sudden, out of nowhere, the Poltergeist returned at full black against. Luckily, I felt, in front of the service technician. To get it to stop, they unplugged the battery.

Two weeks later the van was returned to me. They could not locate the problem. The events did not reoccur. I explained to the dealership what I was reading online and they indicated that they found nothing of the sort in the Chrysler “star cases.” I presented the service tech with a copy of the material I printed off the internet, it was disregarded. I paid the $100 deductible (I have a lifetime warranty) and hoped for the best.

Two days later, the ABS light, emergency brake light, traction light and one other indicator light appeared on my dashboard (the “Light Indicators”). Completely strange as I was driving the van at the time. Then, my abs brakes slightly engaged, again as I was driving, without my foot on the brake pedal. I called another dealership and drove the van to them in hopes they could solve the problem. Two weeks later, the Poltergeist did not reappear and I paid my $100 deductible, picked up my van and hoped again for the best.

I had no additional problems until February 20, 2015 when the Light Indicators appeared back on my dashboard. I turned my van off in hopes that that would reset everything. It did not. I drove the van to the dealership, showed them the dashboard and asked them what I should do. They ran a quick diagnostic and the code read faulty ABS module. We set an appointment (as they were booked) and I drove the van home with the Light Indicators still on. No additional problems occurred for the next three days. On the fourth day, the Poltergeist returned. It ended after a few minutes. I brought the van to the dealership at my scheduled time, let them know that the Poltergeist returned and hoped for the best. This was yesterday. I picked up the van yesterday evening, was told that the ABS module indicator did not reappear and that unless I could provide some proof of “the Problem” they would like my not to bring the van back to them as it was costing them a lot of labor due to the Warranty. It seems that Chrysler will not reimburse a dealership for labor expenses UNLESS a part is replaced.

I am now dumbfounded on what to do next. Please help. This appears to be a problem that is not being addressed.

On multiple occasions beginning in December 12, 2014, my 08 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT would have random electrical malfunctions including synced, intermittent activation of horns, front wipers, rear wipers, front washer fluid spray, rear washer fluid spray, and door locks. These issues would generally come together in "episodes" that could last from about a minute to about 10 minutes. These episodes could occur in rapid succession, separated by only a few seconds, or they might have 5-10 minutes or sometimes days between happenings. This would cause sudden loss of visibility while driving, as the sprayers would cover the windshield with drops but the wipers would not complete a pass to remove the fluid.This also resulted in being locked out of the vehicle on multiple occasions, the remote "clicker" could not be used to unlock or open doors or lift-gate. The only way to enter the vehicle was to use the physical key and force the lock to turn against the pressure of the powered door lock motor repeatedly re-locking the doors other intermittent problems.

When driving my van this morning, the horn started sputtering on its own and the windshield fluid started spitting out. I pulled to the side of the road and it stopped. It lasted for maybe 30 seconds. In the afternoon, as I was leaving work, it did it again - except this time it was much, much worse. As soon as I pressed the button on the FOB, everything on my car started going completely psycho. The horn was blaring, the wipers were going, the windshield fluid was spitting out, the door locks were locking/unlocking on their own. Eventually, upon unhooking the battery, it stopped. I left the battery disconnected for a few minutes, reconnected it and everything went back to normal.

Another thing that looks like it may have been related but I didn't realize at the time -- my transmission didn't work right a couple of days ago. It would not shift at all. Going 35mph was putting the rpms to just about 5. I turned my car off and back on and it was working again.

From what I have seen on here and other sites, it appears that this could be a faulty TIPM. Frustrating since it seems to be a well-known issue that Chrysler doesn't think can cause enough problems to warrant a recall. I have only owned Chryslers in the past but after the issues with this van and the issues with my previous 2 vehicles, I will never again by a Chrysler/Dodge vehicle.

Update from Jul 28, 2015: UPDATE: In October, the dealership replaced my WIN module and the problem disappeared for about 6 months. But it has since come back. This time I am documenting every instance with a video. Here's the video I took this morning.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0ae5yAxS8Q

Well, it has always had problems that seemed weird since I got it with only 45,000 miles on it. it has over the years not started but only a certain way, especially if it gets cold. It has locked me in it with the doors actually not locked, horn goes off when it wants to, wipers and fluid also go off when it wants to, the motor revs up and down, it will also go at times not shifting. I kept taking it to the dealership and all they ever did was replace the battery. In the last 3 years the battery has been replaced 3 times. It finally went to not starting at all unless I moved the steering wheel up and down. I just had the TPIM replaced last week and seems to be doing OK.

We bought our van 2 years ago and we wish we would of never bought it. Shortly after the "used" warranty expired I was stranded because the plastic key would not start the van. My husband had to take apart the whole dash and unplug and re plug in wires to make the van start with the key.

There has been numerous times that the windshield wipers will start, the lights blink off and on, and the gauges go off and on. This van had had these issues since 65,000 miles! And now we are currently at 84,000 miles.

Recently this has happened and now also the door locks won't work. I wouldn't suggest this van to anyone! I wish we would of bought a Toyota instead. My sister-n-law has a Toyota mini van and has Never had any problems with it.

We bought our van 2 years ago and we wish we would of never bought it. Shortly after the "used" warranty expired I was stranded because the plastic key would not start the van. My husband had to take apart the whole dash and unplug and re plug in wires to make the van start with the key.

There was been numerous times that the windshield wipers will start, the lights blink off and on, and the gauges go off and on. This van had had these issues since 65,000 miles!

Recently this has happened and now also the door locks wont work. I wouldn't suggest this van to anyone! I wish we would of bought a Toyota instead. My sister-n-law has a Toyota mini van and has Never had any problems with it.