Gascap warning on 2007 Caravan

ANSWER : For the first issue, the gas cap will need to be replaced sometimes. I had a 2009 Dodge Charger that this happened to also. It’s not something you can control.

As for the second issue, it seems like it is your brakes. Being that you are always braking when the car jumps leads me to believe you have an issue with the brakes. You may want to have a mechanic inspect them for you to ensure your safety

If you need assistance with these repairs, consider YourMechanic, as one of our mobile technicians can diagnose your brake system and replace your gas cap as necessary. Good luck and I hope this helps.

ANSWER : This may be a sign of a weak battery, a failing voltage regulator or failing alternator. As you may know, the alternator is responsible for charging the battery while the engine runs by generating amperage and recharging the battery while the engine turns the alternator. The voltage regulator is a unit that regulates the charging of the battery by the alternator and maintaining a certain amperage while the engine runs. When the alternator is not working properly, this may result in the battery quickly losing charge and the car losing all power as you have described. You may also notice a whining sound as a result of the bearings inside the alternator begin to fail. I would recommend having an expert from YourMechanic come to your location to diagnose and inspect your charging system.

ANSWER : There were 4 different engines used in the 2007 Caravan. Looking at an example, namely the 3.3L (VIN "R") that was used in model year 2007, the head and block casting numbers of that engine do not match the engine used in any other model year of the Caravan. Inasmuch as the engine is controlled by the PCM, replacements these days have to be exact and must be interchangeable per the manufacturer catalog, otherwise the set-up (the swap) almost undoubtedly will not work and often won’t even "start". If you are trying to find a used engine or perhaps trying to find a harness for your 2007 Caravan, or any other vehicle, your best bet by far is to simply search the database at Car-Part.com and you will find an exact match for almost anything you might need. You can also perform interchange searches at that website to see all your options in terms of multiple model year or model applications. If you are interested in an engine replacement or a harness installation (OEM to OEM), YourMechanic professionals in certain locales can assist with that. Please simply inquire based on your locale. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic.

ANSWER : The C/V version is rated for 1,500 pounds of cargo and 300 pounds of passengers (1,800 pounds combined). All other versions of this vehicle, including the SE, have a suspension rated for 1,150 pounds max, passengers and cargo combined. Obviously, if you take the seats out of an SE you will reach your minimum required payload of 1,200 pounds. To determine the exact load carrying capacity of a vehicle simple view the certification placard on the door pillar which will contain the GVWR (subtract curb weight to get cargo capacity) but note that ratings per axle which must be observed to avoid overloading and dangerous operating conditions. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.

ANSWER : Hello- the warning light you mention is a " low coolant" indicator. Once the engine is cool – check your coolant reservoir and/or cooling system for proper fluid level. Since you seem to have lost fluid, I would recommend an inspection of the cooling system by a mobile, professional mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic, who will come to your location, diagnose this problem, give you an accurate assessment of damage and cost estimate for repairs.

ANSWER : Hi there. On a new Honda Accord, the Charging System Failure warning light typically indicates a problem with the battery, alternator or other component inside the charging system of your vehicle. However, with less than 10,000 miles, this is most likely an electrical glitch or stored error code that was triggered. Since your car is "new", I would recommend contacting your Honda dealership first, to tell them about this warning light and ask them how they wish to handle this issue; as it should be covered under warranty. If they can’t help you, please set up a warning light inspection, and one of our mobile mechanics can come to your location and determine why this light came on.

ANSWER : Hello. From what you describe, it would appear that your vehicle is having some sort of electrical issues. The "Generator Inverter Performance" warning comes on when the computer detects an issue with the vehicle’s electrical generator inverter. The generator inverter is the component that converts the high current electricity from the vehicle’s hybrid battery into a lower power form of electricity that is useable by the vehicle’s various systems.

The inverter is located in the engine bay, as the silver box on top of the engine. Unfortunately, the inverter is a critical component to the functionality of the hybrid system, and therefore to the operation of the vehicle, and, as a result, needs to be repaired or replaced before the vehicle will run again.

The VSC system warning light comes on when the computer detects an issue with the vehicle’s stability control system. This is usually due to a fault with the wheel speed sensors or the ABS module, though electrical issues can sometimes effect this system as well and cause it to behave erratically. I would start by taking care of the generator inverter issue and going from there.

I recommend having a certified mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic, perform an inspection to determine why the warning lights are on and suggest any needed repairs.

ANSWER : Hello. This is perfectly normal. These lights come on at this time as the computer is testing them. As long as the lights are going off once the vehicle is started then there are not any problems.