1998 Dodge Caravan problems

[Ryansarah]

speed and gas gagues works and dont work when they don't the abs light comes on and when they work the rear right signal light and brake light dont work and the A/C lights blinks. What could be the problem!

[theFREAKnasty82]

you could have a bad ignition switch, it's making contact to let your engine run, but not enough contact to keep the other electrical accessories running.

[bjaymo3]

Don't replace the ignition switch just yet! I had the same problem and as pointed out elsewhere in this forum, the problem was the instrument gauges circuit board soldering problem.

Where the electrical connector from the chassis to the board is located, you need to resolder the connector points that are on the board. This fixed my problem for good! But I would encourage you to search the forum using just "gauges" as the key word. Right there on the first page of results, open the thread that's titled "That Stupid Gauge Problem". More specifics on what to solder are in the thread. Good luck!

[cw4rick]

You might also check the female plug that plugs into the back of the instrument panel. I had you're exact symptoms for over a year, spent a bundle at the D?!# Dodge dealership with no results. I used the post that bjaymo3 suggests above. I used the link he provided to learn how to get at the cluster assembly without tearing my dashboard up.
I had the cluster out and the key in the on position and as I wiggled the wire bundle going into the back of the instrument cluster the gauges and lights came on then went off with just a slight move of the WIRES. I figured the female plug at the end of the wire bundle has some connection problems. I solder pretty good, but after some bad experiences soldering on some circuit boards for an old computer a few years back, I figured I didn't want to ruin the panel itself.
Anyway, I spread the wires (they're factory twisted right up to the plug) so they were all flat going into the plug housing, took some electrical tape and taped them flat right behind the plug housing. Then I overlapped some tape over the taped wires and the very back of the plastic plug housing and I mean I wrapped it tight and multiple loops. I eliminated any movement between the wires and female housing that plugs into the cluster. I turned the key back on after plugging it in and it worked.
Now I've been dissappointed with other suggestions for this problem I've tried on this site so I'll never have full confidence in this vehicle again, but to put my fix to the test I took it on a 700 mile trip with a mix of highway and city driving and have stopped and started it multiple times the last 3 weeks and it has not done it again. This versus the panel being off more than on the past few weeks. I have to conclude that, at least in my case, the instrument gauge nightmare is over and I can now sell it with a clear conscience.
The shame is that it has been a great driving and dependable vehicle. I bought it second owner in 98 and have logged over 75,000 miles on it with no problems til this piddly electrical problem. I feel the dealership let me down. Unless the American Auto manufacturers wake up and see that quality and service mean as much if not more than looks and profit margins, I fear we'll see more of a great American industry going the way that Ford did this week.
Well, I know this got a little long, but give it a try. If it works for you too it'll be a WHOLE LOT cheaper than taking it to your "friendly and reliable" Dodge dealership.