My van is too and a guy just posted that he did the whole battery change, terminals change and the usual and it ran ok and then bad again and CAUGHT FIRE. tHIS HAS TO BE A KNOWN PROBLEM! Today mine smelled like it was burning when I started it back up after getting gas. This is dangerous

 

Please let us know if you found the fix! My van is doing the same thing.

 

Have had this same problem several times - appears to be due to cheap battery connectors - they should know better than to use the "stamped" connectors rather than the solid metal/lead ones. I carry a battery post cleaner in the Van and when it acts up I pull over - clean the + terminal and away I go. Plan to replace the connector but due to the short cable I figured it easier to just clean the contacts.

 

If engine is cranking correctly, then forget about battery connectors. Starter eats a lot (a lot) more power than everything else in your vehicle combined. Power to TIPM must be solid. If you need to carry a battery post cleaner all the time, then you have another problem that needs to be addressed, maybe a bad battery producing more fumes than it should.

Only time you should need to clean battery terminals is when you replace battery or you need to disconnect battery for any reason.

 

I have disconnected the alternator and drove the van. No issues. Would this indicate a possible alternator issue?

 

Yes, probably a shorted out diode.

Repair or replace alternator.

 

See Eric o. On YouTube at South main auto channel. I have seen him fix this on several dodges including minivan. Purple wire at harness grounded at left front inner fender usual culprit. Found down low forward of fender. Wiring breaks on these in areas where weather takes a toll on cars in winter. Lights flicker, no horn, etc looks like close encounters has taken over.

 

Thanks for your input!

Yes, all the relays and fuses inside the TIPM were replaced with the box itself. None of the relays or fuses in the old TIPM were moved into the new TIPM.

I have purchased a usb charger with voltage readout. I will report back soon.

 

This is not a relay problem. A USB charger will not find your problem either.

Have you disconnected the alternator and driven the vehicle with alternator disconnected? You should do it before continuing with troubleshooting.

 

When the TIPM was replaced were all of the fuses and relays moved to the new TIPM??? If the relays were NOT replaced and you have a bad one, it may explain why you still have the same symptoms after replacing the TIPM.
if replacing/moving relays does not produce results, then find more information about the problem;

First acquire one of the USB chargers that have a voltage display (very low cost on eBay 3$)
Now for some detective work; with the van in a working mode and not running make a list of what works.
Check everything, horn, power seats, Head lights, brake lights, courtesy lights, 4way flashers, rear hatch release.....
Plug the USB charger into a power out that always has power, record the voltage (it should be about 12.5 volts).

Now move the USB charger to an outlet that only has power when the ignition is on (it should be 0).
Start the van, the USB charger should now display about 14 volts (this would indicate the battery is now charging).
Now move the USB charger back to the outlet that always has power, as the car is still running it should indicate about 14v.
Drive the van, when the failing condition occurs, re-check the list you made to see if anything works.
What is the reading on the USB voltmeter during the failing condition, is it 12.5v or something less, is it 0

 

idec that this is old i still gottta say it ,what uin the wiorld are you talking about and why did you have him buy something utterly useless? many reasons here not to listen to what you say in this forum

 

It can also be an alternator problem.

Disconnect the alternator (wires) and try again. If problem is gone, replace alternator.

 

Thanks for the reply!

I have removed the battery tray, there is no grounding under it. Also, I have replaced TIPM with new one. All this was done before the posted video.

Any other places I could check?

 

You have a problem with grounds (or power) more likely.

If your vehicle have a grounding point under the battery tray, remove battery tray and clean all those wires.

Other possibility would be corrosion on the TIPM. Remove each fuse, clean the contact area on both, TIPM and fuse (pulling in- out each fuse several times may help).

Good luck.