• Owning an older vehicle is a smart choice in a poor economy as long as you are not spending more in repairs than a payment would cost you. 1997 Dodge vans provide a means to transport your family in a roomy vehicle that has fuel rating of up to 20 miles per gallon. The van is subject to two government recalls in the United States and engine codes will help you diagnose any fuel system problems.
  
  

Defective Fuel Filters

• Certain Carquest, NAPA and WIX fuel filters can fail and cause the fuel lines to leak in 1997 Dodge Caravans and Grand Caravans. According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, or NHTSA, "A possible fire can occur in the presence of an ignition source." The date on the report for these filters was October 2, 2003, and the manufacturer notified its customers about the recall. In the event that a filter missed being turned in, customers can notify WIX at 704-864-6711, as of September 2010.
  
  

Degrading O-Ring Seals

• 1997 Dodge minivans with 3.3- and 3.8-Liter engines have rubber O-rings that degrade after exposure to fuel. This will cause a leak from the fuel injection rail. According to the NHTSA, "Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source can result in a fire." Owners who suspect that their vehicle has the faulty O-rings should contact a Dodge dealership to schedule an inspection. The dealership will replace the O-rings at no charge if the O-rings are faulty.
  
  

Engine Codes

• You can retrieve your engine trouble code by turning the key to the "ON" and "OFF" position three times in rapid succession and then counting the number of times the "Check Engine" light blinks. Codes that indicate fuel problems include Code 21 for the oxygen sensor, Code 27 for the fuel injector, Code 42 for the fuel pump relay control and Codes 51 and 52 for the fuel system air mix. Have your vehicle inspected by a qualified mechanic if your engine light comes on.