2002 caravan cluster problems!

[Kliph]

On a trip to Las Vegas (did not win enough to pay for van!) we were driving at night with the cruise control on. All of the gauges on the dash lit up, speedometer quit, tach quit. Radio, cruise, lights, brakes, transmision shifted fine. After we stopped, we determined thru trial and error, that the lights would reset about 30 seconds after the key was turned off. We thought it might have something to do with headlights, (problems usually occured about 40 minutes after van had been running. The next day after breakfast, we were able to drive for 5 hours into vegas with no problems, however, now it seems to happen intermitently (SP)

Any suggestions??

Otis

[GTP Dad]

Check the connection to the BCM (body control module) they have a habit of coming loose and causing intermittant problems like this. It is located under the hood and is not hard to get to. Pull each plug and put it back on. If it is loose or there is any dirt in the connectors this should take care of the problem.

[Kliph]

As I am looking at the front, the battery is on the right side with the fuse box on the right side of the battery. Is the bcm located in front of the battery? It looks to have 3 cables coming

[theFREAKnasty82]

If I'm not mistaken, that's the PCM, powertrain control module, the BCM, body control module is inside the passenger compartment, usually behind the passenger side kick panel.

[B33p3r]

the 2001 caravan has the bcm mounted inside,just below the steering column.(by your knees)

[vipergg]

Originally Posted by Kliph

On a trip to Las Vegas (did not win enough to pay for van!) we were driving at night with the cruise control on. All of the gauges on the dash lit up, speedometer quit, tach quit. Radio, cruise, lights, brakes, transmision shifted fine. After we stopped, we determined thru trial and error, that the lights would reset about 30 seconds after the key was turned off. We thought it might have something to do with headlights, (problems usually occured about 40 minutes after van had been running. The next day after breakfast, we were able to drive for 5 hours into vegas with no problems, however, now it seems to happen intermitently (SP)

Any suggestions??

Otis

Try pulling the IOD fuse in the power dist. center under the hood above the battery , this kills power to the bcm and will sometimes fix dash anomalies . Also make sure your battery connections are good with no corrosion on them . Any kind of corrosion , pull the wires and clean the connectors and the battery posts .

[Maichael]

I have found over 10 Dodge Caravans between the 2001 and the 2003 with a Bad Cluster Board.This is a very expensive part.

[Kliph]

Originally Posted by Maichael

I have found over 10 Dodge Caravans between the 2001 and the 2003 with a Bad Cluster Board.This is a very expensive part.

I appreciate all of the help. It turned out to be the clustre board, $575!