electrical problem,,95 caravan

My problem starting with my dash and gauges. (Speedometer, fuel and temperature gauge) would flucuant from the reading going haywire to them not working period. The dash lights would flash periodically and than completely stopped working. I now have no interior lights when the doors are open, the open door chime no longer comes on and my dash completely shut down. I no longer know how much gas I have, what speed I'm going or how hot my van is running? Anyone else with this problem and have the mysterious answer from the gods above!!!!!!!!!!!!:banghead:

Don't have that problem but, there are several similar posts throughout the forum. They seem to center on bad solder joints/contacts/connectors on the instrument panel, the Body Control Module, pulling fuses out momentarily then reinstalling. I recall one beat on his dash and the lights would come and go. Take a look. Go to search and type in associated words till they pop up. Prefix it with caravan so you don't get posts from every forum.
Keep in touch.

Here's a few posts that deal with your problem area: 02-03-06 Grand Caravan Turn Signal/Hazzard Problem
02-28-06 97 Caravan-Starts, Runs 3 Sec.....
11-28-05 Caravan Fix (Somewhat) Instrument Problems

i dont know,,this is driving me crazy,,never seen this before,,the instrument panel looks ok i checked with a volt ohm meter,,before everthing went it would go off and on,,the temp,speedo,gas and the dash lights now i have nothing,,tell me more about the body control module,,what dose it do and is this the problem all along,,,

The BCM controls nearly all the electrical functions of the van except the engine and transmission. It's at the bottom of the center console and on or near the floor. It may sit on another unit, don't recall. If you want try one I would try getting one from a junk yard first because the dealer will charge you several hundred dollars. If you do this you've got to be sure you get the exact part number BCM. I recall a bunch of threads a while back about troubles finding BCMs in junk yards. If I remember correctly the part numbers could change even within a model year. Type "caravan BCM" in the search block. In those threads I think someone found an on-line source for them. I want to say it was at least a year ago.

When you were behind the instrument panel did you do a shake test on everything in site? When you were at the instrument cluster connector did you look for pushed/corroded pins, tug on every wire on the back of the connector, check the pins on the cluster? I've seen where guys will take the cluster apart and check solder connections with a magnifying glass. Try to find the ground points. See if they are corroded or loose. Have you tried disconnecting the battery for a minute then reconnecting. Might reset any fault registers.

You've got a nasty problem. There are many who have had the same or similar happen. I would spend a few hours coming this forum for anything that will help. It's there somewhere. Keep in touch.

BTW - if you've got airbags make sure you disconnect the battery before diving behind the dash to avoid tripping a sensor and setting off an airbag.

thanks RIP,,,yes i have disconnected the battery when i changed the starter,,and i did check all the connections on the dash board,,and it seems to be ok,,im going to look into the BCM,,and ill let you ,meanwhile if you here more or something new let me know,,,P.S. im glad i found the site,this is very informative,,,cheers

Scratch that! The BCM is on the back of the Junction Block Panel under the dash on the left side. I was thinking of the wrong box and the wrong car.

Find and read this thread:

04-05-2004 Intermittent Start Problem 97 Caravan Sport.

Read through it carefully. You'll see the similarity. These threads are making me think it's not the BCM but, the instrument cluster.

ok,,,i found what i think is the BCM box its a silver box bottom of the dash right in the middle on the floor and there is a box for the air bags just over the BCM,,i can see why there would be a problem with this because its right beside your foot so everytime you get in the van with snow on your shoes or just wet shoes the dampness it will get into this box and short it out in time,,did chrysler not think of this when they made these vans,,,the plugs that go into the BCM box were green and brown,,going to the wreckers to pickup a new box,,will let all know how i made out,,,cheers:smokin:

A tip a dodge dealer gave me is/
One thing you might try is to unplug the body computer and check connections and plug it back up.
They are kinda like windows on your pcm sometimes a unplug and plug back up or reboot will get it started back up.
Seems to be one of them cry/dodge things.
MT

yes i have tried that and no go,,i have tried everything under the sun,,thats why im on here,,because i run out of options,,and with the help for this forum i kind of narrowed down to the BCM box,,i had no clue about this until i came on to this forum,,but thanks to alls help i will try that and let you know,,cheers:grinyes: