Dash gauges are dead!

[tiny979]

I have an '01 Ram 1500 and I had been having an intermittant problem with the gauges dyig and coming back on. Now they are just dead. Dash lights stay on...odometer reads "no bus" and now the truck has stalled a couple of times. The "Delear" has said it could be a module and upwards of a G-note to fix. I have no "extras" wired in i.e alarms, amps...etc Any thoughts? Thanks

[angus10]

I sent you a PM check it out.

[angus10]

Try cleaning the main connection to the fuse box out under the hood.

[tiny979]

Where exactly is that main connection located? Is it round in shape?

[angus10]

There should be a fuse/relay box out under the hood. The pos. battery cable will go to it with a nut. You should check all the ground connections to motor and chassis too. And check all the plugs under the dash and make sure one didn't get knocked out somehow.

[tiny979]

Thanks a ton. yeah, I located that fuse box. I don't think it's a fuse issue due to the fact that sometimes the gauges will work although they don't work properly. My thought was if it were a fuse then they just wouldn't work at all...period. I appreciate your help and will kep ya posted on any progress. Thanks again.

[angus10]

Well I don't think it's a fuse either, but did you check the main wire going into the box? Unbolt it and clean it. It definitely sounds like a loose wire or ground connection or plug. Also there should be a large plug where the harness goes through the firewall on driver side. I believe this plug frequently gets corroded.

[tiny979]

Okay, a couple of things:

1) what do i clean these connections with?
2) where is this plug located? what does it look like?

[angus10]

Did you find the main connector going into the box under the hood? Disconnect the battery neg. cable while plugging and unplugging wires and connectors . They sell contact cleaner at auto parts stores for the plugs and for the grounds and main wires that are bolted on just use a small wire brush.

And I don't know exactly where all the plugs are located you just have to trace all the wires until you come to a plug. And don't remove the plugs to the PCM . Do all the rest you can find under the hood and under dash.

[tiny979]

Okay, sounds good. Why do I disconnect the neg terminal?

[angus10]

So when you are disconnecting and clean stuff you don't accidently short something.

[angus10]

Do you know what your pcm looks like? If you are standing in front looking into engine bay it is on the left side above the wheel well. Square thing with 3 large plugs. Try wiggling the center plug and see if that does anything.

[tiny979]

Thanks a ton. Yes, I know where that unit is and I will look into all the grounds and stuff. It seems now that the gauges are working witht he exception of the "ABS" and "Brake" lights being on...go figure. I have an appt. tomorrow (Tues) for my mechanic to check it out. Hopefully he can figure something out and I can get out of it on the cheap. If not...I guess the dealership gets a ton of cash from me and I'll have to cancel my vacation for August Thanks a ton man!