QuestionQUESTION: Hi Roland
Sorry but i got maxed out so have had to continue a new thread.
When i remove the instrument cluster the current drain drops to about 30 ma, which leads me to believe the fault lies there ( but i know these can be a red herring) I did attempt to investigate the circuit board, however i was unable to seperate it from the white housing on the back ( as it appears there are some cross headed screws that are covered by the black front fascia that surrounds the dials that prevents me getting to the heads)The instrument panel appears to be working with no apparent problems. I dont know if you know if these units can be disassembled without damage, but if i am able to seperate it i will be able to investigate further. at this moment i do not have any diagnostic equipment to check for error codes, but i will pursue that avenue if i am unable to find anything obvious.
I really appreciate the advice you have given so far
kind regards graham
ANSWER: Hi Graham,
Sorry that I don't have any info about taking apart the cluster. There is a shop in Canada that I believe services these if you would like to send it to them. There is a self-test you can run on the cluster:
With the ignitio "off", press and hold the odometer trip reset button until the word 'sof' and a number appear in odometer window. Then release the button and watch for any 4-digit code numbers to follow in the window. Also the cluster will go through a number of self-calibrations. Let me know what shows up that way.
A shop with an up-to-date code reader for American cars can probably do a complete readout. Let me know if you want details about a shop to service the cluster and if you get a fault code readout.
Roland
History:
QUESTION: Hi
Dont know whether anyone has come accross this fault before, but i would appreciate some suggestions.
I purchased a new battery for this vehicle as it had a tendency to go flat when left stationary for a few days. However the new battery did not greatly improve the situation, so i had it checked, and there appears to be no problem with the battery or charging circuit.
I checked the vehicle when stationary, using a meter in series with the battery, and registered a discharge of 800 ma ( i know there should be a slight current drain but this seems a bit excessive). I then removed all the fuses and relays from the box, and replaced them individualy taking readings in between. I discovered that when i replaced the fuses IOD and HAZ LP (not sure what they do)the current drain rose to app 800 ma and similarly by removing either of these fuses the reading dropped right down. I then looked at disconnecting anything i suspected that they supplied, and when i disconnected the instrument cluster the reading dropped right down again. I am not sure this means the instrument cluster is at fault and needs replacing, or it leads to a fault elsewhere. I must add at this stage that other than this fault there does noot seem to be any electrical problems with the vehicle and all systems appear to be operating as they should. Also is there an asier way to pinpoint this fault.
Kind regards graham
ANSWER: HI Graham
The IOD is ignition off draw fuse and that is the one that powers things like the remote key fob sensor, the power door locks, the memories of the radio, powertrain and trans controller, courtesy lights, and the cluster. But it should usually be in the range of 25 mA. Tell me the year/make/model/body style and if it is a Chrysler product I can tell you everything that is on the circuit. Most often it is a hidden light bulb that is 'on' like in the bonnet, boot or glove box. The HAZ LP are the emergency flashers bulbs and the associated circuitry; aside from the electronic flasher unit that should not draw current if the bulbs aren't lit. It would be good to know how much mA each of the two fuses draw individually.
Roland
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QUESTION: Hi Roland
Thanks for your assistance
The vehicle is a chrysler grand voyager 2.8 lx
I have just taken some readings
with both fuses in 800 ma drain
with iod out 30 ma drain
with haz lp out 190 ma drain
with both out 30 ma drain
these readings were taken in series to the battery whilst pulling the fuses. i have cheched the vehicle at night and am not aware of any lamps left on. it would be very useful to know what is on each circuit.
kind regards graham
ANSWER: Hi Graham,
And what is the model year? and is the 2.8 a petro or diesel engine?
I can then look at the wiring diagrams and see what might be going on.
Roland
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QUESTION: Sorry i ommitted it is a 2006 diesel with automatic transmission
many thanks Graham
Answer:
Hi Graham,
The fuse #14 is IOD and the following components are partially powered:
overhead console, body control module, radio, ac control if ATC, sentry key remote entry module,
thatcham theft module, siren, dvd/cd module/ hands free module: all circuits labelled A114
The fuse #24 is "hazards" and paritally powers the body control module, instrument cluster, message center, left repeater lamp and right repeater lamp: all circuits labelled A701.
The body control module then can power many other functions including the interior lights, but once the power is delivered to the module its source fuse is 'lost' from identity.
I am not making sense of the mA readings because it seems that more power is consumed when both fuses are in than the sum of the two fuses when used individually.
One thing you might want to do is have a diagnostic readout box plugged into the socket for it that is under the dash and see if there are any fault codes stored anywhere in the system. Focus exclusively on those with the prefix B and pertain to the body devices. The codes are 4-digit and they are numerous so we might get a clue that way.
Otherwise it means going to each of the devices I listed above and pulling their plugs one at a time to measure the current draw.
Roland
PS I would be pleased if you would "rate" one of my answers by clicking on the 'thank/rate' tab where you will find a question about a nomination of me to be 'volunteer of the month' to which a 'yes' response would be most appreciated. Thank you
PPS: On further thought, I would be inclined to remove the instrument cluster and take a close look at pin 6's connections (it gets current on the incoming black/red wire from fuse 24) where they disperse across the circuit board to see if there is any sign of a short circuit. Also look over the board as a whole for sign of any electronic component such as an electrolytic capacitor that might have blown (fluid leak seen on the surface of the board). It appears that fuse 24 is the only current supply to operate the gauge functions of the cluster so if there were anything unusual about how the cluster is working it may very well be the poorly functioning item that is causing the execess current draw on the system. You might even connect the cluster and touch various items on the circuit board to see whether you can find something that feels warm to the touch. I think your observation about the off draw current dropping when you disconnected the cluster is pointing very strongly at a fault inside the cluster as your problem. Did the current drop to 30 mA with the cluster disconnected? You said it dropped but didn't mention to what value of mA. I'll be interested to know what you find.
Roland
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QUESTION: Hi roland
just ran that check, and it indicated Sof 8.2 then E codE then E End before running through a calibration check but showed no fault codes. Judging by your response i dont think you realised i am in the UK so Canada is out of the question Lol. I do still think that the fault lies somewhere within the cluster and although it does not indicate a fault and appears to work fine this does not mean there is not a current drain in there some where ie faulty PSU, so i might attempt to investigate further, however even if i find something it will probably be beyond my technical expertise to repair so the cheaper alternative would be to exchange the cluster for another unit (i have sourced) (£120) the only thing i need to know is are they a plug and play item. or do they need specialist coding to the vehicle, and would the indicated mileage remain the same.
Cheers Graham
AnswerHi Graham,
I wouldn't exclude a Canadian rebuild.* I'm sure the shipping and money exchange are tractable.
But in any case, the mileage is stored in the bcm and as far as I know there is no memory/programing issue in replacing the cluster.
Roland
*Crescent Electronics 519-972-0667 in Windsor, Ontario
