29th Oct 2006, 12:54

Well, I got my response from the Dodge website and like the last poster, I'm sure you're response will be the same..."we regret this problem and encourage you to work with your local dealer." I am heading over to the NHTSA website next. By the way, the fix that was mentioned above... I copied and pasted it in my e-mail to Dodge asking if this was truly the only repair available. They avoided that comment.

31st Oct 2006, 09:24

I have looked around and found the best price for the 3.0L Goodyear fix kit. $91.99. It was on the CSK website. Hope this helps. I am not sure when the 3.8L or 3.3L kit will be out. Maybe someone should contact CSK and ask them.

3rd Nov 2006, 20:33

I have owned two Dodge Caravans, (1990 and 1996) both have had electrical, transmission and serpentine belt problems. I had several serpentine belts come off of the 1990, and was told by one garage that the official part number of the belt was inaccurate, therefore the belts I had been putting on each time were too big. Even after being told that, I had belts come off. With my 1996 I have had the belt come off 4 times, the last just last night right after it started raining. I will never ever ever (times a billion) buy another Chrysler product. I'm a single mom with 3 young kids and getting stranded with them is not any fun. Believe me, I'm lucky I've got a decent ex who will come and save me when this happens, he has become an expert in replacing the belt. I purchased my second Caravan because the price was right and I thought the 1990 was just old and worn out, boy was I naive. Did I mention I will NEVER purchase another Chrysler product? Someone is going to get hurt badly one of these days, or killed, and I hope Chrysler is held responsible when (not if) that happens!

6th Nov 2006, 12:29

Thanks everybody. At least I know I'm not the only one with this problem. I have a '99 Grand Caravan with almost 200,00 miles. It's been a great vehicle, except for the fortune I've spend on belts, tensioners, and mechanics. My belt slipped off again today during a light drizzling rain. I lost all power steering at a dangerous intersection with 2 18-wheelers approaching me from different directions. I'm not willing to risk my or my family's health anymore. I'm not driving this van in any rain -- at least until the conversion kit for the 3.3 comes out. And I will file a complaint with the NHTSA. www.nhtsa.gov

8th Nov 2006, 15:14

After two years of thinking I was all by myself, it is both relieving and scary to find that this belt problem is so wide spread. I, too, will notify NHTSA and suggest a recall. I just got home from my dealer who has now "fixed" my problem for the fifth time in two years.

15th Nov 2006, 10:04

Why not get the goodyear or gates fix kit and fix it once and for all? Simply put, the kit works.

16th Nov 2006, 13:39

I have not been able to find the kit, and from what I have seen on this list, it isn't yet available for the 3.8 engine. So what do we do in the mean time?

My husband is in the middle of replacing the tensioner, which was supposed to be a simple thing, but he has to move the power steering pump to get into it, and that has been much more complex than he thought, too.

17th Nov 2006, 13:23

I recommend to park the van and start calling your local Gates distributor and see if you can get on a waiting list for the 3.8L kit. I understand it should be out Dec 1st or earlier. If you don't put the fix kit on now, your husband will only have to redo the job later this year when the belt falls off again. Why not ask for the kit for an early Christmas present?

8th Dec 2006, 19:52

I heard that Gates has pushed off the distribution date until mid-January for the 3.3 kit. Has anyone heard any news?

21st Dec 2006, 09:31

I have a 97 Dodge Grand Caravan AWD (all wheel drive) that I have fought with for a few years now, with the belt falling off in the rain.

At first it only happened once in a while in heavy rain, but then it became so frequent that I had to carry an extra belt and a special wrench I made to change it, and of course a flash light along with me, because it always seemed to happen in the rain.

About 4 months ago, I decided to do something about it, so I made a kit that sounds similar to a post I have read on this site. The kit basically creates a stationary lip beside the tensioner pulley and the idler pulley, that does not allow the belt to slip past it. I have not had any belt problems since installing it. I have made a couple extra kits that I am selling for $35.00 plus shipping. The kits are pictured on my business website, along with the instructions that will come with the kit. Go to www.atvbushings.com. Click where it says Chrysler mini van belt kit on the left side of the page to view. If you would like to make this kit yourself, call and I will give you the dimensions of the parts. The kit is simple and very easy to install yourself; if you have ever had to put your belt back on yourself, then you can install this kit.

21st Dec 2006, 10:08

That snow shield idea (used to be a TSB) has been around for a long time. However, many people have agreed that any type of snow shield does not fix the problem at all and is a complete waste of time and money.

What I have seen is, with any kind of snow shield installed, eventually the side of the belt begins to fray and eventually ruins the belt. I have been a mechanic at the dealership for many many years and have seen many people try to fix this belt jumping issue, and to the best of my knowlege there is really only one true fix that works. It's the Gates or Goodyear fix kit. Period.

23rd Dec 2006, 06:08

I have not seen the snow shield TSB sheet or what other people have come up with, but I will say this, Mine is a 3.8 engine and none of the auto parts stores in my area have any listing for a belt and pulley kit at this time. Last night we drove around in the pouring rain Christmas shopping, splashing through puddles and I did not have to get out in the pouring down rain and reinstall the belt so I would not call that a complete waste of time. If I have to replace a belt once in awhile because the edge is starting to fray, to me it's better than not being able to drive my van every time it rains.