Joined: Sat Mar 29 2008, 03:36PM
Location: North eastern Wis.
Posts: 1638
The cables on our battery get very cruddy, especially this time of year. I can keep up with the cable itself, but the wires it conects to under the battery tray are another thing entirely. There are so many of them and they are very small. They appear to go into a small box under the battery. Fuse box? Anyway, what I was wondering was, Is there a way to clean them chemacally? My thinking is, maybe disconnect the power, then dowse them in vinager. Rinse thoroughly, dry with compressed air, then dowse with DW-40 or some similar thing. So, would this work, or am I gonna be creating problems? I am also wondering if a large jumper wire like what is used in the, "Mad Electrical Upgrade" is possible in these newer computer controled cars? I have noticed the headlights getting dim and then bright and so on. I am sure it is due to the added resistance from the carrosion.
The headlights in my wife's 2008 PT Cruiser flickered like crazy whenever the A/C was in use. I had to add a new ground wire from the engine to PCM and engine to battery to stop the flickering. I would be careful cleaning up the wiring with vinegar/water--just try the WD-40.
Joined: Sat Mar 29 2008, 03:36PM
Location: North eastern Wis.
Posts: 1638
Thanx for the advice. I was thinking of a new ground to the block as close to the alternator as possible. I did a little cleaning of the conections. As best I could with a small wire brush, and some spray can electrical cleaner. It looks better so far as what is visible. Very interested in where you attached the ground for the pcm. Might be different for my 2000, but should give me a good perspective. I put the charger on the battery before I did anything and the battery is good. At least it's charging. Just gotta get past this carrosion. Again than for your interest and help. It is appreciated very much.
I attached the new ground to PCM bracket, which the pcm grounds to (I think) anyway when I only had a new ground from engine to battery it still flickered some, the PCM ground got rid of it all.
Joined: Sat Mar 29 2008, 03:36PM
Location: North eastern Wis.
Posts: 1638
fixed it. Actually I ran a ground from the alternator bracket to both computer bases under the hood and to the negative batter post. Took it for a test drive and the dash board started smoking. It died on the side of the road. good thing it wasn't far from home we were just in Escanaba last week. Over an hour from home. So here is our new to us 2007 Caravan.
Joined: Sat Mar 29 2008, 03:36PM
Location: North eastern Wis.
Posts: 1638
Yep totaled the old one and bought the new one. It wasn't too bad just smoked up and quit. I was just glad it was close to home. I like the new one alot, the old one was a getting pretty rusty.
I had a 99' Grand Caravan and that was such a reliable vehicle it was incredible. Pulled the boat,sleds etc and not a problem. The ride was better than the new ones but the headlights were horrible. The ones on your new Caravan will be like night and day. Enjoy it. Great looking van.
My sister in law has a 2007 Grand Caravan. I was giving my brother in law the usual "did the lobotomy happen before or after you bought it ?" nonsense, because I thought I would hate it. After a few hour ride from Boston to an amusement park in Western MA I was impressed: really comfy captains chairs with armrests, nice up high seating position, smooth ride and sufficient power. I apologized for giving him grief!!