2005 Ford Focus & a Dodge Caravan

This weekly Q&A session answers your questions about cars and trucks. This week explores a 2005 Ford Focus with a broken mirror, and a 2002 Dodge Caravan with electrical issues.

Question: 2005 Ford Focus

I came across an article you responded to about a woman who knocked the passenger mirror off her 2005 Ford Focus and was wanting to replace it. I have found myself in the same predicament, and I was hoping you could e-mail me the directions on how to remove the old mirror and put the new one on. I have the same year, make and model vehicle, and my wires are still attached to the mirror. Can you help?

Mary

Answer:

Hmmm.... they must be putting the curb a lot closer to the roads these days. Well Mary, as Nicole found out a quick fix doesn't work too well. The best thing to do is replace it.

The first thing you need to do is remove the A pillar trim panel. Several retaining clips hold it in and it just pops out. Use care so as not to damage the trim panel. A door panel tool or a plastic wedge works well for removal. Once the trim panel is off you will see a retaining clip and locating tabs, Release the clip and locating tabs then unplug the wiring connector.

To install the new mirror just reverse the removal procedure. If any of the retaining clips broke upon removal, you can get new ones from your local Ford Dealer.

Question: 2002 Dodge Caravan

Dear Mr. Ciulla,

I bought 2002 Dodge Caravan CE 4-cylinder. My vehicle is not equipped with anti-skid brake system (ABS) but has the ABS, brake and Trac Off lamps illuminated on the instrument cluster. How can I solve this problem?

Thank you.

Answer:

Chrysler issued a technical service bulletin on this problem.

NUMBER: 08-015-04

GROUP: Electrical

DATE: April 27, 2004

SUBJECT: ABS, BRAKE, TRAC OFF and Security/Vehicle Theft Alarm (VTA) Cluster Lamps Illuminated on Vehicles not Equipped with ABS Brakes or SKIM.

OVERVIEW:

This bulletin involves using the DRBIII(R) scan tool to clear the instrument cluster of all learned features instead of replacing the instrument cluster.

MODELS:

2001 - 2003 (RS) Town & Country/Caravan/Voyager

SYMPTOM/CONDITION: Vehicles not equipped with ABS brakes may have the ABS, BRAKE, and TRAC OFF lamps illuminated on the instrument cluster or vehicles not equipped with Sentry Key Immobilizer (SKIM) may have the Security/VTA lamp illuminated on the instrument cluster.

So take it to your friendly neighborhood Dodge Dealer. He'll hook up his scan tool, reset the instrument cluster and fix you right up. There should not be more than a .5 hour labor charge, if any at all.

That's all for this week. Feel free to browse the archives for past topics. And, as always, if you are stuck and need an immediate answer you can always call Vince on the phone.

Print Article

Email Article

View All Articles

How to subscribe to feeds