98 Grand Caravan Instrument panel

[ryandotcom]

The instrument panel stopped working. Guages anyway, the lights still work but gas, speed, tachometer, and heat guage dont register. The digital odometer has no display and the overhead information display is blank--no compass or fuel consumption info. Is there a way to fix this myself. Do I have to resolder a connection behind the instrument cluster like in the Neons? How do i remove the cluster?

[RIP]

Several things to try:

> The Body Control Module (BCM) controls the instruments. You can reset the BCM by removing the IOD fuse in the fuse box (PDC) next to the battery for 2-3 minutes. If this fixes it but, the gauges keep dying, you may need a new BCM.

> According to a power distribution schematic, if you are not having transmission problems and your rear wipers work, the instrument cluster fuses are good. This also means the instruments should be getting power (back lighting is powered seperately). Try an instrument cluster self test. See the first link. If it's getting power and the cluster is good it should cycle through the test.

> Try the dash bash test. Smack the dash above the cluster and see if anything comes back to life. If it does it indicates you may have cold or cracked solder joints on the instrument cluster circuit board, specifically where the connector is soldered to the circuit board. Could be the case even if nothing happens when you smack the dash. See second link for the fix.

http://forum.chryslerminivan.net/showthread.php?t=10110

http://photoshow.comcast.net/rlshaull/

[caravan1997]

Thank you RIP! I just got a 1997 caravan and the instument cluster problem reared it's ugly head.Youre picture show tutoril is great!Thanks again!

[ryandotcom]

Rip, thanks for the post, slideshow was exactly what i was looking for. I'll try these steps and let you know more later. I know dash drumming doesnt work, tried it and thought i was doing more damage. It does help with the frustration though.

[RIP]

Originally Posted by caravan1997

Thank you RIP! I just got a 1997 caravan and the instument cluster problem reared it's ugly head.Youre picture show tutoril is great!Thanks again!

Tutorial isn't mine. Glad it helped though.

[emblum13]

RIP, Just finished removing the instrument panel on my '99 Grand Caravan...and finding that indeed there was a cracked solder joint. It was the upper left instead of the lower right.. the problem had gotten so bad that the BASH no longer worked. Thanks for a great slide presentation... without your help the task would have been a lot more interesting... Already had the 25 watt soldering iron.... had it all out in less than 20 minutes.... whole task was about 1 hour. Thanks again..... Mike Blum

[RIP]

Mike. Happy to hear the slide show helped make the job easier. 98t&c over at the Chryslerminivan.net forum deserves all credit for making it. I am just the middleman passing it on. Welcome to the forum.