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Here are a 1999 Dodge Caravan that loses its dash gauges but gains a Check Engine Light and someone who wants some information about their 1987 Nissan Pathfinder.
Question: Dodge Caravan Instrument Cluster
Hi, I need your help. My 1999 Dodge Caravan analog instruments intermitttently "go to zero" The Check Engine Light is usually on, it'll go off, then the ABS light will come on, then the four analog guages (cooling, tach, speed, and fuel) go to zero. The turn signal indicators still work, the car still runs.
Thank You,
Jim Kerr
Answer:
I see only two possibilities here Jim, either the printed circuit board behind the instrument cluster is bad, the Body Control Module (BCM) is bad or a problem with the wiring.Ahhh... three possibilities Jim, the printed circuit board behind the instrument cluster is bad, the BCM is bad or a problem with the wiring.
You can try a self-diagnostic test. To activate self diagnostic program:
- With the ignition switch in the OFF position, depress the TRIP and RESET buttons.
- While holding the TRIP and RESET button turn the ignition switch to the ON position.
- Continue to hold the TRIP and RESET buttons until the word CODE appears in the odometer windows (about five seconds ) then release the buttons. If a problem exists, the system will display Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC's). If no problem exists, the code 999 (End Test) will momentarily appear.
When you get the codes let me know what they are and we'll go from there.
Question: Nissan Pathfinder Whatcamacallit Thingy
1987 Nissan Pathfinder V-6 4x4. What is the name of the part located between the throttle body and the intake?
Answer:
It's called the whatcamacallit thingy. No, really... it is called a Mixture Heater. I have seen some where the heating grid had melted down and started causing drivability problems.
The copyright of the article Dodge Caravan & Nissan Pathfin in Auto Tech & Repair is owned by Vincent Ciulla. Permission to republish Dodge Caravan & Nissan Pathfin in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
Comments
May 16, 2007 2:37 PM
Michele Shepherd :
Hello. I have a 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan. My speedometer, odometer, fuel gauege and rpm gauge are not working. They turn on when you start the van, but then shortly fall back down. It was diagnosed as a bad BCM. The dealership found a BCM at a junkyard and put it in my van and then found out the they weren't interchangeable. I told them to go ahead and wait before they go out and buy a brand new one. The only problem is, in the meantime, they broke more things. NOw my power door locks aren't functioning properly. The power door locks only work on the drivers side door. My overhead console is now only reading the temperature outside. Before, my overhead console worked fine. Please let me know if you think this is a bad BCM.
Jun 20, 2007 6:28 PM
Paul :
It very well could be the body controller from the junk yard. By the way I work for one of 7 reman shops in the US for Chrysler electronics and my position is Feature products which is the BCM, CLusters and other electrical components. Well now that we have that out of the way, I would never go to that dealership again if they put a bcm from a junkyard in your vehicle than they really took a chance of hurting your vehicle. If your vehicle is not equipped with VTSS (vehicle theft security system) and they put in a bcm that has it enabled then they would have contaminated your PCM. Next the bcm stores the mileage and dealers do not have any means of changing the mileage (by design) so if they gave you a bcm from a junkyard then there is no way it would read the right mileage unless that had it changed illegally. Next they have no way of knowing if there was something wrong with the bcm out of the junk van. Trust me there is no way they could test all the inputs and outputs on that bcm. THis is what led you to the problem you have now. The problem you were having with your original bcm is very common. There is a 330 ohm resistor on the bottom of your bcm which opens and causes the bcm to not communicate on the buss. THe bcm from the junkyard also has a common problem and a uncommon problem. The door locks is usually caused by a output IC opening or becoming leaky. The temperature reading problem on your OHC is not a common complaint so I would have to test the bcm for that problem. Those bcms are readily available at all 7 service centers so they probably tried cutting corners on you to make more profit. DO not go to that dealer again they are not out for you at all. Hope this helped.
Jul 31, 2007 6:33 PM
Sam Park :
I have a 2002 Dodge GrandCaravan and almost the same problem with you, shephma. The four gauges (speedmeter, fuel, ...) are not functioning properly like yours. But the difference is that they fall back down only when I use turn signals, left or right. And, if I turn off the signal right after turning it on, the gauges back on again. So, for me, the problem relates to the turn signals. I don't know what to do. Do you have any idea or shephma, did you find a solution?
Jul 31, 2007 9:13 PM
Sam Park :
In response to BCM posted by shephma:
I have a 2002 Dodge GrandCaravan and almost the same problem with you, shephma. The four gauges (speedmeter, fuel, ...) are not functioning properly like yours. But the difference is that they fall back down only when I use turn signals, left or right. And, if I turn off the signal right after turning it on, the gauges back on again. So, for me, the problem relates to the turn signals. I don't know what to do. Do you have any idea or shephma, did you find a solution? What is BCM? Can there be other reasons for this problem?
4 Comments
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