caravan gauges not working

I own a 99 caravan and my gauges won't work anymore. For awhile the gauges would go out and I could give my dashboard above the gauges a tap and they would come back on. That doesn't work anymore. Nothing works gas,speed,temp,rear wash and wipe mileage are all out. My code reader tells me no CCD message from TCM. I have a feeling its something in my dash but don't know where to look or how to get to it. Any help is appreciated.

You could try and pull the IOD fuse under the hood for a couple of minutes and see what happens . Your sounds like the famous dash problem causing this . Some people have been able to fix this by pulling the dash and then going over all the solder joints on the back with a soldering ironing , you usually will 1 or more joints that are cracked...

I could see a solder joint coming loose but would one connection cause all those problems? Is there a plug in the back that might of come loose?

Hi Deer_Hunter,
I wrote back yesterday, sorry for the delay. You wont actually see a cracked solder joint as they are more well described as a solder bubble, you had mentioned that you looked at the pictures, it will be the two lower outside solder joints of the main plug in the center of the cluster (black wires), the starting 2-3 times and then "no crank" is due to the factory installed anti theft systems, cars equipped with those are the only ones that seem to get that symptom, i have all the prints and you have resparked my intrest in finding out exactly why it fails in such a way, wish i could answer you, but for the time being i cant, only that the fix worked for me. if i can in fact discover exactly why it fails this way i promise to get back to you
best of luck
keep in touch
Bob

I started to take apart dash but but don't know how to proceed. It looks like the whole front end of the van needs to come apart and I'm worried about messing around with the air bags on the passenger side,the dash is all one piece and runs from one side of the van to the other. Do I need to take all this apart to get to my gauges?

You need a manual to show you how to remove the trim and dash cover. Here is the solder fix instructions. (http://www.ingriddijkers.com/CaravanPics.html) It will show you what parts need to be removed and where the defective joints are. It's not a hard fix and takes a couple hours, start to finish.

As always good luck with your project.

Thanks for the replies guys,I'll let you know how it goes I"ll probably wait till the weekend to do this so I'll have plenty of time. Thanks for the pics at least I know where to look. Talk later

Deer Hunter,
the pics are from when i did my van, havent had a problem since, (more than a year ago) it really is easier then it looks, good luck and i hope it fixes your problem, please post back and let us know
Bob

I own a 1994 Dodge Caravan and my whole dash is also out...with the exception of the windows, the seats, the wipers and the turn signals, all other "dash" type stuff, ie, speedometer, gas gauge, etc. doesn't work. I let my brother in law borrow the van, and he was checking the oil and left the hood open, and the doors locked by themselves. So in trying to get the van to turn off rather than run out of gas-he pulled the spark plug wires, and in doing so-I think he may have loosened something, because then all the dash lights went out. The dealer says its the BCM module, which is like 1500. to repair-and there's no way I'm spending that much on this old of a vehicle. If you, or anyone else, knows how I can fix this myself, any information would be appreciated. thanks

Deer Hunter,
the pics are from when i did my van, havent had a problem since, (more than a year ago) it really is easier then it looks, good luck and i hope it fixes your problem, please post back and let us know
Bob

Pentabob, a lot of us owe YOU a BIG...THANK YOU! (and possibly a beer or three...) That was such a clear discription and great photos for doing the "solder fix". It has inspired a lot of people to do the job and saved them so much money.
My hat is off to you sir! and thank you again.

webbee,
absolutely my pleasure, just trying to pay back all the great info others have shared with me on this sight, but did the fix work for you? that is the important question, then if it indeed did i'll take you up on that beer (or three, or four) and we'll toast this site and forum,
talk to soon,
and thank you,
Bob

Your van is a second generation van and I don't know if the "solder fix" works or is needed. The open solder joints seem to be a third gen problem.
Given the complexity of the problem you have, I would advise you to copy/paste your post into a new thread because more people will see it.

If it's the BCM, here is a company who will find you a used unit. (http://www.uneedapart.com/used-bcms.php)
Someone else posted about them. I have no experience with this company and can't give you a recommendation one way or another.
I thought I had a URL for a BCM re-builder, but I don't find it. May be someone else will/can post that info.
The problem with BCM replacement is, it must be an exact match or it won't work.
I think it's better to rebuild than replace. I wish I could help you more with that.

Hey guys, I've got to say a big THANKS!!!!! to everyone for the help and the pics. Took apart my dash yesterday (Sat), it was easier than I thought. Took the cluster out and opened it up and sure enough right away I could see the crack in the the solder. Resoldered it and we're back in business!! Forget 3 or 4 beers I own You a CASE. You saved me alot of money and being laid off right now every dollar counts. I always try to fix my own stuff if I can but I wasn't sure about this because of the electronics but you made what seemed like a complicated job easy. My hats off to you!!! and everyone else who helped along the way. Hopefully someday I can repay. Thanks again

Super News Deer Hunter!!!!!!!!!!!
glad to help, isnt it amazing chrysler knows nothing of this problem (B.S.!!)
any way, thanks for getting back with your results, always cool to hear them one way or the other,
congratulations,
best of luck, and keep in touch,
Bob

Yeah they wouldn't want to admit to any problems would they! at least anymore than there already are. My next project is to fix my drivers side shock tower because it is rusting out. From the looks of it I'm not the only one with this problem either!!! Hopefully I can get a cap and weld it in place like some people have done. Anyways good talking to you and maybe we"ll talk again soon. Ted

webbee,
absolutely my pleasure, just trying to pay back all the great info others have shared with me on this sight, but did the fix work for you? that is the important question, then if it indeed did i'll take you up on that beer (or three, or four) and we'll toast this site and forum,
talk to soon,
and thank you,
Bob

Mine hadn't quit yet, however I was doing other work on the radio and speakers, so I did mine as a preventive measure, since the dash top was already off.

Your right about paying back for other peoples help. That's how I feel too. It's going to have to be a virtual beer, I think. But here's toasting you, this forum, and all the other good posters who make all this possable.

Thanks webbee, it me only one hour to complete the job with your insight.
Our '98 Grand Caravan (230K kilometers) had the same problem with the gauges not working occasionally, and once I took out the cluster the lower right pin solder joint was visibly cracked.
Simple fix.......thanks for your help.