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#1
11-21-2003, 10:59 AM
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1998 Caravan Electrical Problems
(REPOST - HOPING FOR A RESPONSE AND SOME HELP)
My entire dashboard (fuel, speedometer, etc.) is out on a 98 Grand Caravan with 50K miles. Blue book value $7000. I am told it is a "BCM Starter" that will run $1300 to replace. Considering the book value, I hate to run this expense. Does it sound like the problem and the correct amount to replace? ADDITIONAL NOTE- Is there such a thing as a "BCM Starter"? Is it really the "brains" behind the dashboard? 
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#2
11-26-2003, 10:34 PM
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i had the exact same problem except there was some light coming from the dashboard. this small drain on the battery finally drained the battery over a long weekend. i had to recharge the battery to get the van started. when i had the van restarted the problem was gone!!
* that problem is fixed. since this my horn has gone dead, my heater blower motor will not work on several occasions. but then it does work for days at a time w/o a problem and then it will not work for an hour or so before coming back on. or if i restart the car the heater blower may work after not working. and my automatic speed control no longer works. *
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#3
10-10-2005, 03:03 PM
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Re: 1998 Caravan Electrical Problems
I have a 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan and the spedo, gas, tech, gages work sometimes, and not others. Also, when the panel is not working, the abs light is lit, then when the panel comes on, the abs light clicks off. Can you help me?
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#4
10-10-2005, 08:19 PM
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Pull the IOD fuse under the hood or disconnect battery and while it's disconnected clean the terminals. Allow 10 minutes before reconecting the battery. Might take care of your problem. I never heard of a BCM Starter.
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#5
10-10-2005, 08:30 PM
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Re: 1998 Caravan Electrical Problems
Quote:
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#6
10-12-2005, 03:43 PM
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Re: 1998 Caravan Electrical Problems
Quote:
I have learned that the most common sourse of trouble like this is the printed cirucuit board for the instument panel. The main connector pins to the cable ether short to ground or just break connection. If it shorts the BCM as well as other computers cannot work and will not throw much in the way of codes. My dealer replaced the ciruit board. part was $425 and labor was a little over $100. However I now believe someone handy with a soldering iron could fix this problem far a lot less $$$. I hope this helps. Been there rpresley
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#7
10-12-2005, 03:59 PM
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Re: 1998 Caravan Electrical Problems
Have a "98 gran caravan, dash goes out and sometimes it wont start after three attempts.
Just read about IOD fuse where is it located. side bar watch out for the dealer ineptitude. was charged aomost $500. and 5x back had to sue and the mgr was stealing from customers as well as the mechanics he worked with. Next mgr wanted nothing to do with the problem, and wrote to Dodge and they passed it off. was told bcm then tcm then loose wires etc etc. just watch out.
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#8
10-22-2005, 10:51 AM
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My instument pal was going dead too. I hear if you hit the dashboar over the panel it will sometimes go away. If you try it and it does go away it is bad or broken solder joint on the board..I went to the library, copied some pages to remove instument panel and resoldered the connectors myself......It wasn't that hard......Even if you don't think you can do it. Give it s try. Took me about an hour. total.
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