Don't know where to begin with this one!
I have a Chrysler Grand Voyager (conversion by Alfred Bekker) which I've had since new (Jan 2007). The conversion is basically the same as the Braun Entervan (lowered floor, side ramp entry etc.). Overall it's the best wheelchair accessible vehicle I've owned, and definitely gives the most civilised travelling experience - compared to my previous vehicle (Ford Galaxy) which had a rear ramp entrance and basically sat you in the boot. It also didn't have enough head height for me to sit properly in my powerchair (the adaptations were all based around when I previously used my manual chair). My PA would have to strap down the rear of the wheelchair and then come around to the middle row of seats and then strap down the front of the chair. All in all a bit of a faff, and my view from high up in the middle of the vehicle was extremely restricted also!. Using my Balder powerchair with automatic tie down in the Chrysler, things now go a lot quicker and smoother, and I've finally got full visibility out of the windows!
Having said all that, the Chrysler has not been without its problems!. Too many to bore you with at the moment, but I thought I'd ask for your help and share a few recent problems ....
1) Battery Problems
This is the longest standing issue with the vehicle - I have suffered so many occasions with a flat battery that I've lost count of actually how many!.
I thought I had a battery drain on either the electric ramp or the Munro suspension (air compressor) so an auto electrical firm fitted inline cut-off switches for me which meant I could isolate the ramp/suspension when the vehicle is parked (engine off). It did seem a bit better but I started experiencing flat batteries again (I'm now on my 3rd battery since new as Chrysler kept thinking it was a battery problem). The alternator seems fine, but my low miles may not be enough to recharge the battery.
I personally think the battery is undersized for all the electrical equipment onboard (powered doors, ramp, air suspension etc. - all of which I try not to use until I start the engine). I did read on a couple of forums that other owners of non-converted Grand Voyagers also experienced problems with flat batteries. There was some suggestion that the cranking amps of the diesel coupled with the load from the electrical system was too much for the battery (which I think is the same size as on the petrol Grand Voyagers) - and this would be exacerbated by only doing short journeys.
Has anyone else experienced problems with flat batteries (especially on the diesels), and if so, did fitting a larger capacity battery solve the issue?
I've used a portable jump starter in the past, which worked well on up to 3 or 4 litre petrol engines, but even the RAC guy laughed and said it wouldn't have any chance of starting the 2.8 diesel engine on this vehicle!. So I went and got this heavy duty version from Machine Mart which I now carry in the boot (it weighs a ton!):
http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/jump-start-4000
.... and I can confirm, it does start it!
2) Engine Management Light
After getting the car back from its last service, the engine management light came on. We took it back into the garage and they said not to worry about it as it was a warning referring to gas mixtures, most likely to do with them replacing filters etc. - but that there were no problems with emissions as they had just put it through it's MOT. They cleared the error log, but again the light came back on - within about 10 miles after them clearing it. This has happened several times now, each time they've cleared it thinking that it's some sort of 'memory' problem (they've even tried different hand held error units to clear the fault log - all to no avail). They are not a Chrysler dealership since my local dealer closed and moved quite a distance away (they're actually a local coachbuilders but work on all wheelchair adapted vehicles, minibuses, coaches etc.).
They now 'think' it's a real problem and requires some sort of valve or sensor replaced - which they 'hope' will clear it .... although they're not brimming with confidence, and I'm not so keen to be the one paying to 'let them have a go'! - May have to contact Chrysler direct and see if they've appointed a more local service centre.
3) Rust!
I have never seen a car like this get rust problems so quickly. I've had to have the exhaust pipe and box replaced, whole sections underneath cut out and redone and re-painted. I've been told all the underseal will now have to be stripped off and redone since it's hanging off!. Admittedly, the past couple of winters have been harsh, but we have several other vehicles and none of them have suffered like this.
This car cost me £40k - and for the four and a bit years I've owned it, it has cost me thousands more, just to keep it on the road. I am not a heavy user (which I sometimes think might be part of the problem). The car has only done 17.5k miles in all that time - it's basically to take me to and from work Monday to Friday. I try to look after this car (admittedly not in John's league!) and to catch problems before they start, but this vehicle is high maintenance - both in terms of time and money!
This style of conversion works for me - but if I had the choice, I'd never buy another Chrysler again. Chrysler UK and their dealers have not exactly covered themselves in glory with their level of service or helpfulness - in fact, once I had bought the car, they didn't want to know
OK - so this post ended up being a bit longer than I intended!
Cal
