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How to Replace the Front Left Turning Bulb in a 1997 Dodge Caravan

Chrysler Corporation began designs for a minivan in the 1970s. The Dodge Caravan debuted in 1984 along side its sister vehicles, the Chrysler Town & Country and the Plymouth Voyager. The 1997 Dodge Caravan was produced in eight different sub-model packages. The turn signal bulb on the 1997 Caravans are all located, accessed and replaced in the same manner, regardless of the sub-model designation. Removal and replacement of the bulbs requires some mechanical skills. Replacement of the 1997 Caravan turn signal bulbs should take about one hour, depending upon individual skills.

Instructions

1

Open the hood of the Caravan. Visually inspect and locate the two headlamp mounting bolts at the top rear of the headlamp assembly. Remove the headlamp mounting bolts, using a 3/8-inch drive ratchet and socket with a 6-inch extension -- the addition of an extension between the ratchet and socket will allow you to turn the ratchet completely around while you simply hold the extension and socket in place.

2

Pull the headlamp assembly forward and rest the assembly on the front bumper of the Caravan. Reach behind the assembly to access the outermost bulb socket assembly. Remove the bulb socket from the bulb by prying up the small tabs with your fingers or with a small flat-head screwdriver. Rotate the bulb locking cap on the back of the headlamp assembly counterclockwise in relation to its position. Slide the cap back and off the turn signal bulb. Pull the turn signal bulb out of the headlamp assembly and discard it into a trash receptacle.

3

Grab a new turn signal bulb from its packaging, using a paper towel or napkin between your fingers and the bulb. Never touch a turn signal bulb directly with your fingers, as the oil from your fingers can cause the bulb to burn out prematurely; the turn signal bulbs also act as running lights on the Caravan, so they heat up similar to headlamps. Insert the new bulb into the rear of the headlamp assembly.

4

Install the locking cap over the light bulb and turn it clockwise until it is snug on the rear of the headlamp. Plug the bulb socket into the new light bulb. Reinstall the headlamp assembly back into position on the Caravan. Install the mounting bolts downward through the assembly and begin threading them, by hand, to assure correct threading of the bolts. Tighten the bolts with your 3/8-ratchet, socket and extension assembly until the bolts are snug. Turn the ratchet 1/4-turn farther to secure the headlamp bolts. No torque is needed for the headlamp mounting bolts.

5

Repeat the processes in Step 1 through Step 4 to complete the turn signal bulb replacement on the second side of the Caravan. Turn the key to the accessories or "II" position in the ignition of the Caravan after you have completely installed both turn signal bulbs. Turn the left turn signal on and visually inspect its correct operation by either stepping out of the vehicle or checking the bulbs flash lecting off another surface. Turn the right hand turn signal on and inspect its correct operation in a similar fashion. Lower the hood after the operation inspection is completed.

Posted by Unknown at 10:15 AM

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