QuestionQUESTION: 2000 grand caravan 3.8 ES. Instrument cluster has been failing periodically. Ignition switch is sloppy and am able to pull key out when started. Lately however, van starts fine but stops after a few seconds. Repeats this about 5 times until it will not even attempt to try. Battery fine. If I wait for several hours, vehicle will start with no problem at all. Is the ignition switch the root of all this?
ANSWER: Hi Peter,
I would believe that your problem may be a failure to disarm the theft-security system before you try to start it. If it is still armed, that is exactly how it will behave. I would suggest that you try unlocking the passenger side door (if you have been entering by the driver door in the past) as that is another place to disarm the system. If that proves to work out, then you probably have a broken wire between the driver key lock switch, usually it fatigue at the hinge area. Another approach would be to stop using the security system and instead only secure the vehicle by means of the push-buttons on each door as you exit. Don't use the power door locks or the key lock and you will then avoid the theft system hassle with disarming.
Roland
PS: Please 'rate' my answer, and where you see the question about 'volunteer of the month' please consider giving that a 'yes' in my behalf. Thanks
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QUESTION: In the event that I use the power locks and this problem occurs again, will going around to unlock the passenger side turn off the security system or will it be too late by that time and the system will have to reset after a period of time ?
Also, any thoughts on the instrument cluster? The garage read the code after one of these occurrences and it said "communication lost with the cluster". They advised that I need a new cluster but I'm not so sure I should jump at that.
ANSWER: Hi Peter,
Yes, try lock/un-lock the right front door with the key when you find the engine dieing after a few seconds. Ideally, the wires from the lock to the body control module on that side will disarm the security system promptly.
The instrument cluster communication issue usually is simply a 'cold' solder joint (loss of connection between the incoming digital signal wire and the internal circuit board). I would be inclined to remove the cluster and use a soldering pencil to touch-up all the solder points where the pins of the cluster plug socket mate with the circuit board. That will probably solve the problem without having to replace it. This is a problem that comes to my attention frequently, so don't 'jump' for a new cluster until you try that easy repair.
Roland
Please 'rate' my answer. Where you see the qustion about a nomination of me to be 'volunteer of the month' I would appreciate a 'yes' response. Thanks.
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QUESTION: Hello Roland. I had the chance to test your theory yesterday when my van failed to start. Unfortunately it did not work. While attempting to start it I noticed how the cluster was not functioning at the time and recall that was the case each time. My brother mentioned that at times the connection behind the cluster may come loose so tap the dash to see what happens. When I tapped the dash not only did the cluster return but the vehicle started immediately. Does this seem to go back to possible cold solder joints and is there a connection between the two problems ?
Thanks,
Peter
AnswerHi Peter,
I would certainly pursue that theory. The dash-tap remediation is a common report that I get, though it isn't always associated with a stall/failure to start symptom rather just a loss of the gauge function. But there is a loose connection at the cluster and the prime candidate location is the solder joints between the plug socket pins and the circuit board. Please let me know how it works out for you.
Roland
PS Thanks for your previous rating and nomination. The site allows each answer to be rated so feel free to do it again. Thank you.
PPS:Thanks for the second rating. Another thought about the no start/cluster relationship: You did mention the ignition switch/key removal situation in the initial question. It may be that the electrical function of the ignition switch itself could be the cause of this intermittent problem. If there was an intermittent connection in one of the 4 sections of the ignition switch I can imagine that the gauges not working would go along with a failure to start. You weren't too clear on what does and doesn't work about the cluster but if it appears to be totally 'dead' then that would point more toward the switch, whereas if it was a loss of gauges only that would point toward the circuit board hypothesis.
