Chrysler Repair: [99 Cirrus: AC/speedo-rpm/power locks down, fuse box, electrical failure

Question
Hi Kevin,

Lately when my car is exposed to sun for a period of time, when start up the control panel instruments are down, no speedometer, no rpm indication, no AC and no power locks but power windows are working. After vehicle stops and cooled down then everything is back to normal. Asked several mechanics, some say the circuit board other sye the AC relay. an you help?

Thank you,
Victor

Answer
Hi Victor,
A temperature-dependent electrical failure often involves a fuse with a crack in its internal wire that opens when heated. I couldn't find a single fuse that is involved with your problem panels so that leads me to think a common component to the function of them is shutting down. That is the body control module which communicates information needed by them. There are two fuses, #5 and #9, in the fuse box behind the left end-cap of the dash which power the bcm so I would remove those and take a close look at their wires for a crack. A common ground wire might also be loose but let us check the fuses first before getting into that.
Roland