98 Grand caravan electrical

TravRMK · #1 07-21-2005, 03:32 PM

My wifes van has some issues. About a year ago the cruise control quit working, so I replaced the switch in the steering wheel, and still doesn't work. Then a few days later the guages started acting up, they would blink off and on intermitantly at first. Now none of the guages work at all, and the backlighting is very low. I never know how much gas is in the vehicle, how fast I'm going etc. I am guessing that the cruise control could be a faulty clock spring, but the horn still works fine, and I thought that the horn would quit working if it was a clock spring. This has never been replaced, and I am aware of the recall. Does anyone know if they charge you to replace it if it is found to not be faulty? Second I suspected the BCM to be the problem with the guages, and removed it (what a pain) and pulled it apart, and couldn't see anything that has melted, or got hot. Put it back in, and still no guages. My wife said that they came on again the other day for about 15 seconds, but have not returned since. I have heard that used BCM's will not jive correctly with my system, and could have a very confused vehicle ie. lights not working, wipers controling horn, AC controling rear defrost, and other weird stuff. Is this true? If I bought a new BCM from a dealer, and intalled it myself would it work correctly?

Thanks for any help,
Travis

B33p3r · #2 07-21-2005, 04:36 PM

Do yourself a favor. Disconnect your battery for 10 minutes. While it's disconnected, clean your posts and cable connectors thoroughly. When you reconnect your battery make sure all connections are tight. See if that doesn't clear up your problem.

TravRMK · #3 07-21-2005, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by B33p3r

Do yourself a favor. Disconnect your battery for 10 minutes. While it's disconnected, clean your posts and cable connectors thoroughly. When you reconnect your battery make sure all connections are tight. See if that doesn't clear up your problem.

I did that already, only I left it disconnected for a couple hours. I have also checked all the electrical connections for corrosion, or bad connection. All look good. Also, the wipers don't work correctly, and hang up in the middle of a swipe, and the locks lock unlock at times, and the door ajar bell rings from time to time. These all point me toward a BCM. for $150 I think I will try a used one from a salvage yard with the same part number as mine.

Mrbizness1 · #4 07-21-2005, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TravRMK

I did that already, only I left it disconnected for a couple hours. I have also checked all the electrical connections for corrosion, or bad connection. All look good. Also, the wipers don't work correctly, and hang up in the middle of a swipe, and the locks lock unlock at times, and the door ajar bell rings from time to time. These all point me toward a BCM. for $150 I think I will try a used one from a salvage yard with the same part number as mine.

I read somewhere that a BCM thru a dealer costs around $500.00

GTP Dad · #5 07-22-2005, 06:31 AM

I would certainly look to the local wrecking yards for a used one. $150 makes a lot more sense than $500 to a dealer. Try Car-part.com for wrecking yards in your area. Prices differ widely even at wrecking yards. As for installation it should be a simple remove and replace item.

bjaymo3 · #6 07-23-2005, 10:41 AM

How did it come out? Did you install the used one yet? I've got the problem of "no gauges" but thankfully, none of the other symptoms you described. For a while, I could just give a sharp rap on the top of the dash with my hand, and they would bounce back......sometimes for as long as two or three weeks. But just two days ago, they went out and this time, they stayed out! I've also done the battery cleaning but no difference. I know about the printed circuit board which I've seen priced at $150+ for used and $369 for new. Is that what you're referring to as the BCM? Thanks for posting about this. It helps to see that others are trying the DIY route as well. The labor at the dealership was $300 on top of the $360 for the part.

TravRMK · #7 07-23-2005, 02:09 PM

I was refering to the Body Control Module. It is attatched to the back side of the Fuse box. I assume you are refering to the printed circuitboard on the back of the guage cluster?? I checked that first, but there are too many other things going on, and since the BCM controls everything except the engine electrical, I am pointed in that direction. I probably won't be able to get to switching it out for a couple of weeks. Too many things going on right now.

B33p3r · #8 07-23-2005, 10:23 PM

TravRFK, I'm no expert, but I'm still not convinced it's your BCM. Your cruise issue could be a few things......ie wheel sensors, bad contacts in your brake pedal switch, bad cruise switch itself. The printed circuit board on the dash, now that it was brought up, is an issue I'v seen on this forum repeatedly. Search it out and check it. $$$$ Other than your cruise malfunction, all your problems are tied to the dash. The BCM also controls windows, door locks, interior lights etc etc. Your call though!

bjaymo3 · #9 07-24-2005, 06:01 AM

If you still want to try the BCM, I found several under car-part.com that were priced from $50 to $150. Since my problem was sometimes cured by slapping the top of the dashboard, I'm pretty sure it's the circuit board. Good luck!

TravRMK · #10 07-26-2005, 05:49 PM

The door locks lock/unlock by themselves from time to time too. Also the guage lights are dim while the guages are out. The rest of the dash lights(ac/heater, fan, climate control readio, etc.) are also dim at this time. What else should I check first, and how? I would not be all that happy about spending 150 plus shipping for a BCM, and be no better off.

B33p3r · #11 07-26-2005, 09:53 PM

search in this forum for "dash Board" related issues. Read through them before you make your decision. I'm not saying it can't be you BCM but hate to see you spend the money if it's not! Please post back with your learnings.

TravRMK · #12 08-24-2005, 05:20 PM

Got a BCM for $60 shipped to my house from car-part.com. I installed it, and walla, everything works again! Well, almost everything, the cruise still does not work, but I suspect the clock spring is the problem. Anyone know if the horn will still work if the clock spring is faulty? The horn still works, but the cruise is not. Anyone have any ideas for this??

B33p3r · #13 08-25-2005, 09:13 PM

Check your brake pedal switch and make sure both sets of contacts are metering good.

TravRMK · #14 08-30-2005, 08:46 AM

brake switch tested well.

talters · #15 08-30-2005, 10:57 AM

Perhaps a little late in responding, but my 98 Town and Country had the same problem, and there was a recall on the clockspring. This fixed the cruise and other electrical problems.

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