Tim (71.252.234.235) - Wed Oct 1 23:15:36 2008

My minivan has a random issue with the headlamps.

The headlamps will operate fine and then turn off. Just the white lights go off, parking, braking and dash lights all still work.

Other times when I try to turn off the headlamps they go off and the parking, and dash lights stay on.

I have talked to the dealer and they tell me they can do nothing unless I can take it in while the fault is occurring.

As luck would have it, this fault usually clears itself fairly quick and I can never make it in to get looked at.

Turning the headlamp switch off and on a few times usually clears the problem.

Is anyone else dealing with the same issue or have you figured it out already? I would love some help if you have some to offer.

Carrollton, Tx

Reply #1 will (75.196.232.142) - Thu Oct 9 23:04:36 2008

Tim, A friend from my church has the same issue with her 05 van.I was made aware of it the same Wednesday you posted your question.She had asked me at church to look at her lights because they would not come on.We did get them to come on [thank the LORD].The next day I was looking on the internet when I saw your post, I thought it was her posting the question.Anyway I looked at the van and I think the problem is in the headlight switch itself.The only problem was that I had a hard time getting the lights not to work.I finally did get them to not work.I popped the switch cluster out and tapped the switch with a screw driver.I was able to get the lights to work and not work a couple of times but then they would not mess up again.So I left the switch cluster loose and told her that if they stopped working again to give it a tap.So far they have not messed up. I hope this is of help to you. JOHN 3:16

Reply #2 TJ the DJ (75.50.21.52) - Fri Nov 21 21:11:08 2008

Ours did the same since early 2006. It messed up enough in early 2006 for dealer to replace the headlight switch. Has been randomly going out occasionally since. Usually cycling switch and turning on/off running lights gets them to work again. Tonight it's acting up again with my wife and oldest daughter on the road. That's why I'm looking for more info.

Reply #3 vincent (69.254.68.22) - Thu Jan 1 19:26:10 2009

My 2005 caravan headlights stay on day or night wheteher I switch them on or not.As soon as the vehicle is in drive the lights are on and stay on.Is this normal?

Reply #4 Renee (205.188.117.68) - Sat Jan 3 11:50:31 2009

I've been having the same issue for about the past week on my 2005 Dodge Caravan...this obviously seems to be a manufacturerer malfunction if so many of us are having the same problem. I try to turn on the headlights and they may or may not come on. May come on after about a 10 second delay. Was told to look at the relay switch. When I did that, I dont even have one installed in the square that calls for the headlamp. The box is sealed tight so if it came out, it should just be laying there next to the other fuses....its not, so I dont think there was ever one there, which tells me I dont need it to begin with, but does another relay control the headlights. All other lights function ok. Anybody else have any other suggestions.

Reply #5 David (204.95.150.205) - Fri Jan 9 09:07:50 2009

I've got the same problem in my 2005. One would think that headlights randomly turning off would be grounds for a recall.

Reply #6 Tracey (72.218.202.63) - Wed Jan 14 17:51:41 2009

I'm glad I found this post. I have been having the same problem. Occasionally, my headlights will cut off while driving but the low beam, yellow lights remain on. This problem also occurred with my husband--he actually got pulled over by a police officer but explained the problem and was not ticketed. We took the van to an auto-electric repair shop yesterday. The owner put the van through a battery of tests and conditions and was unable to locate the problem-- he recommended bringing it back in when the problem starts up again. Any ideas are appreciated. I also believe that this issue should be reported for a recall - this is a dangerous situation when it occurs!

Reply #7 chuck n (75.80.250.179) - Sun Jan 25 13:23:03 2009

I have a 2005 caravan with the same problem I am going to replace the switch it is only 30 bucks but I was wondering how to get at it? do I just pry out the whole plate? does it come out from the front? cant get at it from behind? thanks

Reply #8 Martin Hoelscher (70.241.196.208) - Thu Feb 12 20:32:03 2009

I was able to remove the side panel, between the dash board and the door by removing two screws. You'll need a small 'stubby'phillips screwdriver. Then you'll have to reach inside and feel for a small rounded clip at the bottom edge of the light panel, there should be two, one on each side. Merely push down on the clips and push out on the panel and it should come right out. I had very little difficulty. If it doesn't want to come out easy you might be pushing the wrong thing. My van is a 2002 and it has the drivers side light out while the passenger stays on. When I pull the high beem switch the passenger side goes out and the drivers side comes on. My bad light changes sides as I click the dimmer switch. I suspect the switch has a ground issue or it could be the wire terminals wearing out and making intermittent connections.We need a recall on these switches before someone gets hurt.-marty

Reply #9 dan (24.235.198.198) - Sun Mar 1 21:06:37 2009

I have 2001 dodge caravan and my problem is simalar to this My driving lights come on when i start the van but only the driver side light comes on When i turn the light switch on the driver sie goes out and rte passenger side comes on When i put high beems on it reverses again on so on ive replaced all the bulbs to no avail please help. (Dan)

Reply #10 mc (216.67.57.147) - Mon Apr 6 17:47:34 2009

I have a 05 grand caravan and had my lights some times delay before turning on/off and finally turning on after leaving the van for a few minutes, so i took the switch apart and the very small gap between the settings on the circuit board had worn and started touching each other so i used a sharp nail to re grove between them and has been working fine for the last few months.

Reply #11 Paul (99.248.60.190) - Wed Apr 15 19:23:36 2009

Hi everyone. To get a car manufacture to recall a vehicle, The ministry of transportation has to have numerous complaints about the same problem on the same vehicle.So call your ministry of transportation office and let them know about the problem. Have the vehicles information ready as this is all documented

Reply #12 Dave (68.41.111.24) - Mon Apr 27 22:59:39 2009

On my 2006 Caravan, the fog lights and parking lights would come on in the middle of the night by themselves and leave me with a dead battery in the morning (3 times). I took the switch apart and put it back together and it seems OK for now.

Reply #13 NJ caravan owner (67.83.140.74) - Wed Jun 17 12:49:57 2009

I just got soaked for $15 by the dealer who claimed it was a relay problem.. Now that I see this forum, I'm gonna try to replace the switch. thanks (2006 Dodge Grand Caravan)

Reply #14 2006 Grand Caravan (76.118.218.78) - Mon Jun 29 13:17:59 2009

Please report your issues to nhtsa.gov

There are currently 4 complaints (mine being one) with this same issue. I have spent $200 having dealer try to "diagnose" problem but no one can guarantee they can fix the problem. Common sense says it's the switch but can anyone confirm if that has worked for them?

There are no recalls for my type of light (Valeo Sylvania) but I did see some for Eagle Eyes and Maxzone on the Caravan

Reply #15 Ben (98.90.4.178) - Thu Jul 2 23:49:22 2009

Actually, there are a ton of lighting problems on the 2005 Grand Caravan. Headlights, turn signals, dome/interior lights, etc. The BCM (Body Control Module) is the central routing point for all the lighting. A Dodge dealer should reprogram it as part of the $95 diagnostic. If it doesn't take then the BCM memory or board is faulty and you'll have to pony up a few hundred more to have a new one installed ($204 for the BCM itself). They're locked to a specific VIN at the factory so no buying one from a salvage yard.

Reply #16 Shawn (68.235.133.229) - Fri Jul 17 09:46:49 2009

I just got the 05 caravan two days ago. My wife noticed a yellow square warning light. It is a box with three boxes around it. We dont have the manual. Does anyone know what this symbol is for?

Reply #17 Jason (76.26.211.155) - Tue Jul 28 22:39:28 2009

Renee (or similar circumstance):

The lid of the relay/fuse box under the hood is set for you to look at it side by side with the fuses/relays. I think when you say that it is When I did that, I dont even have one installed in the square that calls for the headlamp. The box is sealed tight so if it came out, it should just be laying there next to the other fuses....its not, so I dont think there was ever one there, which tells me I dont need it to begin with, " you may be misinterpreting the schematic. Across from the high or low beam relay(across=toward the driver's side, or outboard) is a blanked slot. The schematic indicates this to be a spare.

Reply #18 Jason (76.26.211.155) - Tue Jul 28 22:46:06 2009

NJ caravan owner,

Soaked? Think for a minute about the guy who actually runs a shop to repair cars. He charged you A$15.00 for a part, installed on your vehicle, that you didn't need. Did he know it was bad? Probably not. He COULD HAVE tested it with an electrical meter for continuity, or he could have had his employee do this. To do so would have cost more in labor than the part.

I recently submerged one of my vehicles in water, almost completely. (1996 Jeep Cherokee 4WD 4.0L), and I took it to a mechanic. $14.xx for the diagnosis and an air filter, and some gas. Are you seriously disturbed by the $15 bill? This guy had my car for 2 days. What do you make an hour? I asked the shop owner to find something else to charge me for, to make it worth his time. He wouldn't. He told me to bring her back when she was broken.

everyone has to make a living. When you stop buying $8 cups of Starbucks, then please, PLEASE, do complain about a $15 bill for looking at your car.

Reply #19 Mike (129.42.208.188) - Thu Jul 30 07:16:46 2009

I have a 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan and the lights have been not coming on sometimes since it was purchased new. I have had no luck at the dealers, but I did not know that others were having the same problem. This is a safety issue when my wife or kids drive this vehicle. Everyone needs to report this problem so that Dodge makes repairs.

Reply #20 Penny Cothran (68.108.153.87) - Mon Aug 10 13:37:46 2009

I recently purchased a 2005 Dodge Caravan w/42, 000 miles. I had it inspected by a mechanic before purchasing and everything checked out okay. On my second time driving at night, the headlights didn't work. Parking lights and brights worked. I kept playing with the switch, but nothing helped to make the lights come on. I ended up driving home on the freeway with just my parking lights (luckily I didn't have far to go). I got home and googled the problem and found this website.

I then called the salesman who sold me the vehicle and he told me to bring it in the next morning and they'd have their mechanic look at it. Before I left the following morning, the lights were working again. But when I drove to the used car lot, and the mechanic looked at it, the lights DIDN'T work. Then a little later, they worked again. The mechanic seemed to think that maybe some Armour All leaked into the switch...but suggested I keep an eye on it that evening to see I'd have any problem (I was planning a 4-hour trip a couple days later and would be driving home in the dark).

That was about 2 weeks ago, and so far the lights have been working fine. But it still makes me nervous knowing they could go out at any time. I'm a widow and most times I drive alone. And sometimes I drive with my 3 young grandchildren in the van.

I did as suggested in Reply #14, and just made a complaint with nhtsa.gov. THEY NEED TO BE FLOODED WITH COMPLAINTS so that a possible recall can be issued! This is a SERIOUS PROBLEM that needs to be addressed!!! I only saw 3 complaints on their website--come on people, file a complaint!!!

Reply #21 Chris (68.104.17.161) - Thu Oct 29 11:01:32 2009

I'm not only having problems with the headlights spontaneously turning themselves on - which leads to a dead battery in the morning - but the seemingly standard problem with the doorlocks not working from the key fob.

The door locks can be temporarily fixed by removing the fuse on the lower right side of the fuse box for about 30-60 seconds and then replacing it. (I believe it's the 20amp fuse). The headlights appear to be an issue of a bad contact in the actual headlight switch.

Now, this morning I went in for my annual smog check. Had to jump start the piece of junk because the headlights turned themselves on again last night. Wound up getting "rejected" on the smog check - not "failed", "rejected" - because the computer reset and I need to put another 60-70 miles on it before I can get it retested.

Interestingly enough, when I showed the mechanic what was going on with the lights, one of his cohorts said, "Hey, my piece of crap 2005 Caravan does the exact same thing."

Never another Dodge.

Reply #22 Richard (70.24.46.254) - Thu Nov 5 17:51:46 2009

I have a 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan. Today, for the first time, the lights gave me problems. At first, they would work, but 3 or 4 minutes later they come off on both sides. When I take the car off, all the lights stay on, including the lights on the dashboard.

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