Dodge Grand Caravan 1996 instrument cluster.

[labmik]

Dodge Grand Caravan 1996 instrument cluster.

After Reading what is written about this problem in this forum , and checking all possibilities fuses , wires the clusters gauge board solders , I came to conclusion that it is time to try to replace the BCM .
CHECKING with the Dodge dealer in Canada , the price of a new BCM is around $ 1000 .
Have nearly checked with most of the auto junk yard in my area but could not find the model number ( 4686930) or ( 4686607) .

My question is that if I install any model of “ BCM “ taken from Dodge Grand Caravan 1996 3.3L will this BCM work .
I am only interested in reading my car temperature gauge and the gas meter gauge . others gages are not important and can be dismantled .

Please respond.

[mustangmike351c]

before you spend the money did you replace the three caps on the board? I rebuild these clusters and BCM's at my shop. I find the caps to be bad 90% of the time. If the BCM is bad you would also lose your info from the message center above the review.

[labmik]

Good day

Could you please explain further. What are three caps on the board? Do you mean soldering the connection at the back of the board?
What will be the approximate cost to rebuild these clusters and bcm's ? also how to get in touch

[mustangmike351c]

Most of the time its just one of the caps that go. But we replace all three of them. Is the cluster completely dead? Or does it come and go? Does the info center work? You can contact me at Pro Auto Electric www.proautoelectricinc.com To get a cluster or BCM repaired runs $125 to $150.

[labmik]

Good day

The cluster is not dead yet , it comes and goes form time to time , but it is now less frequent.
When the cluster comes on , all the info data shows up , but one strange gage that is “ low washer” light in the lower part of the cluster come on which previously never came . The washer tank are always full.

Could it be the ignition switch faulty as when the key in the ‘ on ‘ position nothing shows in the cluster up except the “Break light “ and “ airbag “ light they come on

Regards

[earlyrizr]

did you actually re-solder the joints or just check them. I had same problem and with the naked eye all looked fine until I used magnifying glass then I saw the tiny cracks, I re-soldered and to this day all is good. just a thought. If your handy with a soldering iron you can do it.

[RIP]

Originally Posted by labmik

Dodge Grand Caravan 1996 instrument cluster.

After Reading what is written about this problem in this forum , and checking all possibilities fuses , wires the clusters gauge board solders , I came to conclusion that it is time to try to replace the BCM .
CHECKING with the Dodge dealer in Canada , the price of a new BCM is around $ 1000 .
Have nearly checked with most of the auto junk yard in my area but could not find the model number ( 4686930) or ( 4686607) .

My question is that if I install any model of “ BCM “ taken from Dodge Grand Caravan 1996 3.3L will this BCM work .
I am only interested in reading my car temperature gauge and the gas meter gauge . others gages are not important and can be dismantled .

Please respond.

Most of the functions should work. It's a crap shoot as to which will and won't work. Another thing to keep in mind is to make sure whichever BCM you get has the same security system configuration as your van. I've read otherwise you can damage the PCM.

Have you tried a BCM reset by pulling the IOD fuse for 2-3 minutes? Disconnecting the battery does the same. Earlyrizr has a good point on the solder joints. They can be tiny. Specifically it's the solder joints connecting the connector to the board.

I think mustangmike is talking about capacitors on the instrument cluster circuit boards when he askes if you changed the caps. Not hard to do. There are several places on the web you can get rebuilt BCMs for $200-$300 USD. Some will rebuild yours and send it back. Mustangmike's link could be an option.

[labmik]

good day

have tried to a “ bcm “ reset many times , and even have changed the ignition switch yesterday .
i had disconnected the battery to install the new ignition switch . I noticed that when tried the car all gauges came on as normally , however this only lasted for a few hours and a few staring tests then back again to the squire one as if the ignition switch was a waist of money and time.

now the only thing to try is changing the “ bcm “
.
the car is in good condition , well maintained , and i had the transmission fixed last year,
the gauge now is about 205000 miles.
i wonder if it is worth spending another 200 dollars on it,