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Dodge Caravan Instrument Panel

167 messages,  Last post on Dec 05, 2011 at 12:47 PM

You are in the Chrysler/Plymouth Voyager, Dodge Caravan Forum.

What is this discussion about? Dodge Caravan, Chrysler Voyager, Plymouth Voyager, Electrical, Van

Messages Page 3 of 17

#18 of 167 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan Instrument Panel Lighting by geigus

Jun 09, 2007 (7:56 pm)

The instrument panel on my 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan does not illuminate. The odometer and transmission range indicator both light and can be dimmed or brightened by using the dimmer switch. The dimmer switch can also be used to turn off or on the interior lights. I've determined that the fuse is good. The last potential simple fix is to try to change the bulb, but I need to how to take the dash apart to get to the bulb. How do I do that?

#19 of 167 Re: 98 Grand Voyager dash quits clarification requested [bubba214] by pmack1

Jun 20, 2007 (7:20 pm)

Replying to: bubba214 (Apr 28, 2007 2:05 pm)
To you and the gentlemen you were replying to the problem is your BCM (body control module) pn#04801062AE, I am about 99% sure of this. I repair these allllll day long and the 1998 build bcm for the minivans are horrible. There is so many issues with these things it is a joke. The problem you are having is that a 330 ohm resistor (a 5 cent part) is opening intermittently (for now). Once you replace the bcm and it fixes the problem do not be surprised if in the not to distant future you have another problem. I work for one of seven reman centers for these things and we tried getting Huntsville electronics (who makes these) to scrap all current bcm's and make a new build because these are so unreliable even after remanned. You obviously know how that went over. Chrysler is only required to have a supply on parts for their vehicles for 10 years and if they can make that time they dont care about the customer. If I can help any of you in anyway feel free to contact me. I may be able to help you get a deal on your repair.

#20 of 167 Re: Dodge 92 Caravan Insturments [rwilliamson] by pmack1

Jun 20, 2007 (7:24 pm)

Replying to: rwilliamson (May 27, 2007 4:57 pm)
The first build of 1992 body controllers for this vehicle have a service bulletin on them to scrap them for this exact issue. My guess would be this is your problem.

#21 of 167 Re: 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan Instrument Panel Lighting [geigus] by pmack1

Jun 20, 2007 (7:27 pm)

Replying to: geigus (Jun 09, 2007 7:56 pm)
You do not need to take apart the cluster to replace the bulbs. There is 8 bulbs in the back of that cluster that burn out "surprise, surprise" usually around the time the warranty expires. It is real easy. Hope I helped you out.

#22 of 167 Re: 98 Grand Voyager dash quits clarification requested [pmack1] by xwesx

Jun 21, 2007 (11:15 am)

Replying to: pmack1 (Jun 20, 2007 7:20 pm)
Thank you for the information. I am sure that many of us minivan suckers will need it... again and again.

#23 of 167 Re: 98 Grand Voyager dash quits clarification requested [pmack1] by madmike3

Jun 24, 2007 (1:49 pm)

Replying to: pmack1 (Jun 20, 2007 7:20 pm)
Looks like it got me too. I have a 2000 Voyager. Occasionally when I would start the car the instruments, AC and rear wiper controls were dead. The odometer and shift indicator were also dead and the ABS light was on. Everything would come back accompanied by the click of the door locks. It happened more and more until now it seems permanent. I checked all connections since it looked like a grounding issue and I even removed the junction block and BCM checking for water damage or burned components. Everything looks good but it still doesn’t work. Unless someone has a better answer I think I will get a BCM.

#24 of 167 98 Grand Voyager 3.3 Instrument panel, BCM, or transmission- You decide! by shmoyager

Jun 25, 2007 (6:26 pm)

I've Googled and read nearly all messages related to my issue, but none that nail it- so here goes:
 
  • FIRST:
    • Instrument panel, including all gauges, will flatline and then return when it feels like it. The common forum answer seemed to be a bad solder job on the instrument panel.
     
  • THEN:
    • My Hi-beams stopped working, wipers are intermittent, Driver side interior dome light may or may not turn on, usually a few seconds after door is opened, then turns off immediately.
     
  • FINALLY:
    • Now I have a P1698 OBDII Error Code and the torque converter is not engaging (van starts fine, but stalls when put into gear. If I rev the engine at the precise moment I can get it into drive, but seems to be in limp mode, as it doesn't shift at high rpms). Oh, and I now sometimes have no LO beams either.
     
  • CONCLUSION...?:
    • My guess is that the tranny is not bad. Rather, since the tranny on this van is electronically controlled and has given me NO issues prior to these electrical problems, I feel everything is related to an electronic issue. I've checked for secure connections on the PCM and PDC, but that's the extent of my abilities. If I knew how to read a wiring diagram I would hope to find that the instrument panel, lights and TCM all meet somewhere, and that this would be the culprit. I don't want to have it towed to a transmission shop only to find out that it was something like a bad BCM all along.
     
    ANY help would be GREAT!

    #25 of 167 Instrument panel and AC inop by madmike3

    Jul 02, 2007 (7:36 am)

    Well, I bought a BCM and installed it and the condition did not change. I still have no gages, ac controls or rear wiper (all the little buttons are dead). The car runs normally and I even get the bell when the fuel is low but no indicator. Still looking.

    #26 of 167 Re: 98 Grand Voyager dash quits clarification requested [pmack1] by shagya

    Jul 08, 2007 (8:41 pm)

    Replying to: pmack1 (Jun 20, 2007 7:20 pm)
    Hello. I hear quite a bit about BCM problems. I have a few which might be related [on a 92 Voyager 3.3l V6]. The "door ajar" light won't go out and if the headlights are still switched on after the ignition is turned off then I have to turn them off-on-off. Thought there was a timer delay on the headlights but I don't think that works or doesn't exist. I wonder if a schematic diagram exists for these BCMs? A competent electronics designer could probably build these from scratch.
     
     

    #27 of 167 Re: 98 Grand Voyager dash quits clarification requested [shagya] by shagya

    Jul 08, 2007 (8:44 pm)

    Replying to: shagya (Jul 08, 2007 8:41 pm)
    Speaking about things not working. I put this comment on BCMs in the wrong place. Sorry.

    Messages Page 3 of 17

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