98 Transport - Weird Electrical problems

Hello - I'm having a number of electrical gremlins in my 98 Transport, and am wondering if there might be some controlling electrical module or control that is at the root of these?? Here are the ones that come to mind:
- radio led displays illegible characters, and/or is only half-displayed, at times doesn't display at all, and/or does a rapid cyclic display through all the functions
- my overhead console (the one that shows the temperature, fule mileage, etc) shutdown (at first it wouldn't come on for a while; now it doesn't come on at all)
- the interior light flickers (other than when one of the sliding doors isn't shut properly)
- rear window wiper doesn't work (not convinced this is related to the other problems though)
- indicators come on for no apparent reason (currently the check engine light is on and it won't go off; no driving problems though)
- sometimes the rear power windows won't work (usually one or the other doesn't work)
- driver's side window stopped working. Thought it was the window moter, but after replacing it with a new one, it still wasn't working. Put the old motor back in, played with the switch for a while, it started working again
- batter recently started draining, causing vehicle not to start. Finally replaced the battery which seems to have fixed the draining/starting problem, but other electrical issues continue

- I've checked all the fuses, and all are good.

I'm trying to find root cause without getting a service shop to read the codes, as they want $100 - $200 just to slap a core reader on to it.

Thanks in advance for any ideas, advice or assistance anyone can offer!
DVG :screwy:

Sounds like you have a shortage somewhere. Here's how to find battery drain (shortage) problem:

Unhook the negative lead on your battery.
Clip a test light on the negative CABLE (make sure it is disconnected from the battery).
Touch the other end of the test light to the positive post on your battery.
If the test light lights up you have a draw.
As you are doing this have someone else remove and replace each fuse on your fuse panel one at time.
When the fuse is removed that makes the test light turn off, that is your circuit with the draw.
Now you can trace that circuit for the problem.

As far as window switch goes, they are junk. Do a search, I just fixed mine for free.

Radio light diming is also a common problem.

Thank-you! I will give that a try.

Cheers

Another thought...have you added anything to your vehicle lately? Years ago I had a remote vehicle starter put in my '97 Venture and shortly after I started having similar electrical issues due to a poor installation. This goes along with aamirmali's post on locating the short with the procedure outlined.