98 Caravan BCM Starter Problem

My entire dashboard (fuel, speedometer, etc.) is out on a 98 Grand Caravan with 50K miles. Blue book value $7000.
I am told it is a BCM Starter that will run $1300 to replace.
Considering the book value, I hate to run this expense.
Does it sound like the problem and the correct amount to replace?

I had this problem on my 97. nothing worked except the tach. my problem was somebody took a fuse out to prevent the service engine soon from coming on. (I just purchased this veh) Any way it was the fuse for my rr wiper uder dash, then everything worked. this one fuse knocked out all of my climate controls including r wiper, wash, def, except blower, speedometer, fuel, temp, mileage lit up but did not count.

The BCM for your van is $550 at the dealer (can't find anywhere else). You can go to a junk yard, but you have to call the dealer with the last 8 of the vin off the junk yard van to confirm that your options match. If you have anti-theft, you have to verify that the yard van has it also, or yours won't run.

My 98 Gr Caravan SE developed a problem in starting: when you turned to the start position, the starter would crank, but the doors would start locking and unlocking themselves, the 'cruise' light would come on then go off and other abnormalities. I'm in the process of replacing it myself:
Under the dash, the main fuse connection panel is held to the BCM frame with 3 10mm bolts, then you have 2 (7mm I think) bolts on the righthand side of the BCM (into the silver metal bracket holding the BCM) and 1 bolt on the left hand FAR UP side of the BCM. If you get all these bolts out, the BCM will slide right out.

I'm going to the junk yard on WED to run the VINs myself so that I know I'm getting one that is right. Email me or call me and I'll let you know if this works.
[email protected] or 419-512-1165