2000 Grand Caravan gauge problem, but solder OK.

[Kustoms]

Hello, I'm having trouble with my 2000 Grand Caravan 3.3L. The gauge cluster was working intermittently & recently quit. I have the P1698 trouble code & looked up info online. I of course found out about the solder joint problem & figured that would be the culprit. I took the dash apart & found the solder joints were fine, but when coming apart, the wire plug on the back side came out on it's own. The retaining clip was broke & I thought maybe that was my problem. There's enough room to install a zip tie to hold the plug in & I put it back together. It still doesn't work though.

Here's the symptoms- I turn the key to ignition & nothing in the instrument cluster comes on. When I start the engine, everything lights & works as normal except for the trans indicator- the letters light, but no position shown (regardless of any gear selection). This continues for about 5-10 seconds & the trans position indicator lights up around EVERY letter. A few seconds later the entire dash goes down. I then shut off the engine by only turning the key back 1 notch. At this key position the odometer & trans indicator come on & the trans indicator will properly display every selected position correctly. It is consistently working this way every time now. The heat is also stuck on hot & the rear window wiper/ washer is not working.

I've also pulled the body module to check for connection problems & don't find anything with that. I've pulled the fuse under the hood too. So far no luck. Would anyone have any further suggestions for me. I'd greatly appreciate any help. Thanks.

[RIP]

Take a look at the HAVC control panel connector. They can over heat, melt and pull the contacts apart. This can effect the CCD data bus where the problem lies.

It's always recommended to reflow the connector solder joints no matter what you see. Some of those cracks can be microscopic.

[Kustoms]

RIP, thank you so much for the input. I found the lower driver's side wire terminal on the HVAC control had gotten hot & melted the plastic around it. I took a pick & squeezed the terminal to tighten it up on the pin, put it back together, & everything works again.

I inspected the instrument cluster very closely & couldn't find anything wrong with the solder joints. The cluster was already back in & the harness zip tied in place so I'll leave it for now. I will however remember what to do if I ever have problems in the future.

Thanks again for your input. Have a great day.

[RIP]

If you keep having problems Chrysler makes a pig tail replacement for the HVAC panel wire harness connector.

[Kustoms]

It wasn't so bad that it damaged the terminal & only slightly melted the plastic so I'm pretty sure it will be fine now that it is tight on the pin, but thanks for the info anyways. I'll know what to do if there's a problem. Have a good one.