- Hello Scotty and everyone in the
forum! I have a 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan SE with a 3.3 V6. The minivan has 180,000 non-highway miles. I was wondering what are the main issues that come up on this model when it reaches this kind of mileage. The car does shake excessively when it stops and it’s on drive, but once it’s moving it drives and shifts smoothly. It also works well when it’s on reverse, neutral, and on the park gears. Thanking you in advance!
@conrad
The transmissions on those are a week link as well as they just wear out from everyday use. If it shakes as you stop in could be as simple as a warped rotor. However, if it shakes at idle while stopped it could be a host of issues. Does it have any check engine codes? If so what are they? If no codes. I would change the spark plugs and wires. The van if running well is worth about $2500-$3000 if it looks nice. I wouldn't spend too much money on it if it was mine past the tune up. Wishing you all the best!
Can you clarify that the car shakes excessively when it stops and it’s only in drive? So when it's standing still in reverse, neutral, and in park gears it does not shake?
@doanh
When the car is completely stopped, for example at a red light, and it’s on drive, it shakes excessively. Once the car starts moving forwards, the shaking stops.
Now when the car is completely stopped, and it’s on any of the following gears: reverse, neutral, or park, it does not shake. Only when it’s fully stopped and on drive does it shake.
I know it sounds complicated, but it is a Chrysler product after all haha
Do you notice any difference in RPM between the Drive, Reverse, Neutral, or Park gears? When you are in drive, obviously, the RPM is higher. When the idle RPM is too low, it can cause the engine to shake/ getting close to stalling.
does it also happen with the AC on while in drive at a stop light? The AC system will increase your idle RPM due to the compressor load.
@doanh
The RPM when it’s idling is in the bar right below the 1,000 revolution line, around 850-900 with the A/C on. It remains in this range in any gear, until placed on park or neutral. Turning on and off the A/C doesn’t affect the vibrations, although it does affect the idle as it normally would. Only when placed on drive and it’s idling does it start vibrating. Is an idle when standing still 850-900 too low for this engine?
Dude ill i have to say is flexplate break in those caravans. dodge and Chrysler are known for it. Thats where the shaking is coming from next it will sound like a thrown rod bearing noise.
@mouse4201
I will definitely look for that noise, I know the issue really has to do with the wear and tear of some part of the car. It has the original transmission, engine and everything else is original too.