QuestionQUESTION: Hi,
I have a 2000 LHS and just recently the alarm light on the dash will come on and stay solid. After this happens then the fuel gauge will drop to empty and after about 15 seconds will return to normal position. Also the rest of the gauges (speed, rpm & temp) will fail at times but then return to normal after same amount of time. Ive noticed the only time the gauges fail is when the alarm light comes on while driving and stays solid otherwise it is all fine.
ANSWER: Hi Lee,
I believe this is happening because one of the doors is not being latched tightly against the door frame, which then when the body flexes due to bump gives the body computer a false command to lock the doors, which then sets off the security system on its arming phase (lasting 16 seconds). Try pushing outward on the driver door while you are driving faster than 15 mph to see if you get a response of some sort and if so then move the striker in the door frame in-board a small amount to more firmly secure the door. Have a helper on board to try the same technique on the passenger door and the rear doors to be sure they too are secured firmly.
Roland
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QUESTION: I will try. How does all this affect the gauges cutting on and off?
ANSWER: The gauges are powered digitally out of the body computer, which also runs the door locks/theft system. I am not sure whether this is normal or not during 'arming' since that usually only occurs when at rest. But let us see if a door ajar is the cause or not before looking into the body computer itself.
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QUESTION: so this problem has become more frequent now and really is driving me nuts. i have gotten these codes which all point to the skim modules (p1684, p1685 and p1686). i have also been told by a chrysler service person that all the symptoms i have told him tells him that the ignitions switch is bad. after thinking about it every issue with the dummy lights to the gauges failing happen when you first turn the key in the ignition. might this be the problem after all or is it a skim issue?
thanks
AnswerHi Lee,
You can check some fuses with the key in the 'run' position while you have the problem to check out the 4 sections of the switch for function:
if fuses 1,4,8 and 14 in the box behind the left end-cap of the dash all have power then the ignition switch is working. Let me know otherwise.
The skim needs fuses I and L in the box under the hood, and also fuses 14 and 19 in the dash to function properly, again when the key in the run position for the latter fuses. The 1684 means the battery was disconnected in the past 50-100 key cycles, and is not related to the skim. The 1685 and 6 do relate to the skim but I would believe the engine would start and die if the skim were an issue.
Roland
Did you check the door ajar possibility?
PS Please 'rate' my answer. Thanks
