QuestionBelow is a question that was posted on 3-16-2010. I am having a similar problem but my guages are still working. However, they will sometimes go dead. Also, the speedometer is approx 12 miles per hour when sitting still and will continue to be 12 MPH ahead while driving. When I turn on the key, the guages move to correct positions except for the speedometer that moves to 12mph. I had some major work done to the engine a few weeks ago which involved valve cover gaskets and a full tune up and check over. When I got the van back I noticed a "chugging" or hesitation in the transmission. Typically happens around 70 miles per hour but will happen at other speeds occasionally. It only lasts approx 1 second but almost like the transmission is slipping. However, I don't think this is the case. My guess is that it is electrical. Remember however, that I did have the transmission oil and filter changed also. Anyway, there was some crazy things going on in the PCM with a code while he had the van and working on it. It said it was not communicating with the PCM. THerefore, the PCM was changed but the hesitation is still there. So, I have been running the van in hopes that the check engine light will come on and give me a code of some kind. I have considered just replacing the TCM. However, after reading the post below from March, I realize it may be something different. Not sure what is meant by the BCM though. I would assume that the mechanic that is doing the work would know what you mean with all the circuit checks and such. He is a retired mechanic though and does not have the manual of the 10 pages that you offered to this gentelman. So, to sum up this mess, do you think I have the same problem? Also, would you be willing to send me the same 10 pages of the manual and I would gladly send you the postage cost? Thank you for your time and I included your response to the post so that you could review.
THanks much
Rob
Hello Sir,
It's an all too familiar story with the infamous dash gauges going dead.
1997 Plymouth Grand Voyager SE 3.3L
Months ago, the dash gauges would come and go when hitting large bumps. Now they are dead and I can't duplicate the intermittent issue. Everything works except the temp, speedo, tach and fuel gauges. When starting the vehicle, the cassette goes wild clicking. It may possibly be stuck in lower gear, aka limp mode. The ABS light is on. The engine codes are:
P1698 no CCD communication from TCM
P1695 no CCD communication from PCM
I'm not a rookie at this game. I've done this so far....
-pulled instr cluster and installed a different one
-soldered back plug pts on original instr cluster
-tried another PCM
-tried another TCM
-pulled out BCM to look at it, didn't replace because I read that when this is bad, you'll also have no power locks and windows. Mine work fine.
-checked plugs under the hood, all fuses in and out.wiring looked good too.
-tried to check grounds but I can't find another one besides the one atop the alternator. I heard there is one somewhere along the bottom, but I don't know exactly where, do you?
I tried checking the CCD bus by using a multimeter grounded and inserted into #3 and #11 terminals of the diagnostic port, but the meter is bad and waiting for another one. A friend scanned it with his up to date snap on scanner and it would not communicate with the TCM or BCM. I have been going back and forth on this and getting absolutely nowhere after alot of time spent. What am I missing here? Thanks for any help.
Hi Mike,
The other battery ground is on the left frame rail lower inside edge toward the front of the engine compartment.
If it were just a matter of the cluster, then your focus on the plug pin/circuit board interface solder joints was correct. However, the communication fault codes to the TCM and PCM/ BCM and the possible limp-mode of the transmission suggest something more basic.
The manual for the codes 1695 and 1698 suggests that using the diagnostic readout box that you remove the plugs at the tcm and the pcm then by jumper ground the bus + and the bus - wires, one at a time at each plug and see whether the drb notices the grounding of each of those 4 wires by giving you a message "short to ground". If not for any one of those jumps. then trace the wiring from the plug to the diagnostic connector to find out where it is 'open'. I assume that the CCD + and - wires are never grounded in the normal state of affairs, so if you grounded pins 59 and 60 at the PCM and didn't see a ground by means of an ohmmeter to ground when you looked at 11 and at 3 of the diagnostic port, respectively, that would revel an open to be found. Similarly, if you grounded pin 4 and pin 43 of the TCM and didn't 'see' it at 11 and at 3 respectively then look for the opening in the wiring between the two points that didn't see it. Otherwise, with no other codes than those, and if you detect all the self-imposed shorts to ground, then the manual says to replace the modules whose wiring was proved to be OK. BUT:
The friend's Snap-on scanner saying no communication to the bcm appears to offer a series of possible explanations (which also might explain the presence of 1695 and 1698). The step-by-step for solving that one covers 10 pages of my '98 minivan body diagnostic procedures manual. I would be glad to xerox copy an postal mail you those pages tomorrow if you will tell me a postal mailing address. Then after you get them, if you would be so kind as to send me back four first class (44 cent) stamps to cover my cost that would be appreciated.
The bcm is the nerve center of the bus, so I suspect you will want to go over those pages to find out what is the problem.
Roland
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AnswerHi Rob,
On the calibration of the speedo. try pressing and holding the trip and reset buttons simultaneously and while holding then turn the ignition switch from off to run, and continue to hold until CODE appears in the odometer window and then release the buttons. Then watch for any three digit number to appear in the window, and watch for the cluster to go through a test routine which may end up with your speedo reading properly again.
On the transmission issue, I think we need to wait for a code. The model year '97 was in transition as regards getting fault codes, and more so to get fault codes yourself using the ignition key "on-off-on-off-on and leave on" routine particularly for the transmission. For that reason if you don't have a fault code reader then try a nationwide parts store, such as Autozone, which will do a readout for free. Let me know of any codes that you get and we can go more efficiently from those. I don't believe that copying the pages based on someone elses code is likely to be helpful to your situation. I will await such a code.
Roland
