1998 Dodge Caravan with BCM problem (unsure)

Hello all,

I have a 1998 Dodge Caravan with the following symptoms;

FOLLOWING DOES NOT WORK:

- Instrument panel is not working (used to be intermittent but now is off all the time)
- ABS light is on all the time
- Check engine light is on all the time
- Automatic door locks (at 15 MPH) do not work
- Rear defroster does not work
- Heater direction control does not work
- Heat/Cool control does not work

FOLLOWING DOES WORK:

- CD/Radio
- Door locks using the remote control
- Beep tone for low fuel
- Interior lights
- Fan control
- Front Wipers

I just had the mechanic look at it (since it is pretty cold I did not do it myslef) and he an the diagnostics and got back that there was an issue with the BCM. He disconnected the battery for 30 minutes and reconnected it, after which the instrument panel worked as soon as he turned on the vehicle. However, as soon as I drove it home they stopped working again and the above resumed.

I tried to bang on the area above tghe instrument pannel to see if the PCB connections were bad but no effect. Also tried to reset the memory by removing/replacing the fuse under the hood, but that made no difference either.

The big questions are:

1) How can I be sure if the problem is the BCM?
2) Should I go with removing it and taqking it to the local AutgoZone to have it repaired (and how much does that run), and if so how probable is it that I will not encounter problems (if I give them the full VIN to make sure that it is reset right)? How much is the cost of getting a full one at the dealer (I am told it is up to $1000 total with the cost of the work).
3) Is there a likelyhood that there is still a problem with the PCB for the instrument panel (which I am told is another $400 at the dealer)?
4) How much work is it to remove and replace the BCM myself (considering the weather is cold out right now around NYC area)?

I am proficient with tools, cars and electrical work but not happy about the cold right now.

Also the vehicle has about 250,000 miles on it and I am trying to decide how much to put into it. (In all fairness though I have spent nothing on work for 3 years now and it has no engine, trans or body issues at this time).

Any information or thoughts from those that have has similar issues or helped those with this problem will be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.



3/1/08

Well, I have pulled and resoldered the instrument panel, NO change.

I have tried to pull the BCM plugs and reseat them, NO help.

Pulled the fuse for the memory reset (and actually disconnected the battery for about 30 mins), NO change.

My mechanic ran the codes on the system and got back 1686 and 1689 which appear to point to the BCM.

I have checked locally and they can order it for about $250 with a core exchange. (Local Autozone had NO idea what I was talking about and could not even get one, I had to go to a local auto parts place.)

My question is, how can I be pretty sure that this is the problem (without taking it out and replacing it)? Any way of narrowing it down further without replacing the part.

Thanks for any input...


3/6/08

I replaced the BCM (not as easy as it sounds) and that did NOT frix the problem in any way.

Well, here was the actual source of the problem...

The middle A/C control panel (which can be removed with 4 screws) had a bad connection on one of the three connectors (the one that connects to the left hand knob that is used to control what the air flow is which is the middle cable of the three). The negative(?) connection was burned pretty badly (looked like it had a bad short at some time) and not making a good connection at all so I cleaned it up a bit and made what adjustments I could to the pin (I should eventually replace the whole connector but not for now).

Now everything works fine. Others should check this first before spending a few hundred bucks on a new BCM.

Thanks to all who posted various information in this forum.

I would start with taking the instrument cluster out and resoldering the connections. Read this thread, in the last post there is a PDF link for pics, removal instrucutions and fix. http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=762227&highlight=instrument+cluster+fix

If you need to get a BCM, I would look for a used one at a junkyard but make sure you get a BCM with the same numbers as yours.

Do a search using instrument cluster caravan or instrument cluster fix, lots of information

Here is a thread on the BCM:
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=758671&highlight=BCM+caravan

You can also do a search using BCM caravan

I have 99 caravan about 2yrs ago i had the same problem as you no gauges no commucation to the BCM replaced it still did not work. I seached this forum and found where someone had said to remove the tempature control panel in there is a wire harness to wiggle it around abit to my surprise all gauges heater controls rear wiper started to work still working 2 yrs later

many caravans have this problem and if you let it go your guages and spedo etc wont work. take out the 4 screws that hold on the a/c stuff and unplug it and inspect for a burnt terminal I JUST did one 5 min ago. Clean it up and plug back in or get one from the junkyard