Chrysler Repair: NO BUS, soldering pencil, continuity tester

Question
QUESTION: Chrysler Repair - "NO BUS" message in odometer window; car starts/dies

hi kevin this is what roland told me about my no bus problem



Follow-Ups to Answer from Expert Roland Finston



Brian P wrote at 2006-12-31 21:48:20
Yes, it turns out that little connector, but only having one wire (has a spot in it for one more wire), is part of the BUS ... keep that disconnected when you install an aftermarket stereo, and all will be fine. 2000/2001 Dodge Neon 2.0L 5spd




Hi Jordan,
That connector is at the radio and is a 2-wire connector of 'natural' color which has a single "pci bus" wire, and the other end of of the wire is attached to the data link connector (the code reader socket) under the dash by the steering column.  
I understand that you have a 2000 Neon and that the dash says "no bus" in the window where the mileage is usually displayed. That is an indication that the digital data connection from the body computer to the cluster is not present. I believe you will want to remove the cluster and inspect the solder joint between the in-coming wire socket of the cluster and the circuit board to which all its pins are soldered. The digital data bus signal is on pin 2 and has a violet/yellow wire. Notice the solder joint where that pin of the socket attaches to the circuit board. Re-heat that joint with a soldering pencil to assure a good connection, then verify on the plug side that the wire on the plug's pin 2 is also connected to pin 59 of the pcm, by means of a continuity tester or an ohm-meter.
Here is the procedure to remove the cluster, taken from the '01 manual: Remove the left and right A-pillar trim covers (these are at the edge of the windshield). Then gently lift up the entire top cover of the panel. Then gently remove the cluster bezel. Then remove the 4 screws that hold the cluster to the base panel. Pull the cluster rearward and disconnect the plug. Installation is the reverse. If you store the cluster be sure to have it in the face up position.





everything is fine except that i have an aftermarket deck that has no input for the bus. and i believe this is why i am having the no bus issue.

is there anything i can buy or do to remove or resolve the issue?

thanks


ANSWER: Hi Jordan,
Kevin has passed this question back to me.
I can't give you any further advice other than to check the cluster for a cold solder joint. Without knowing the wiring of the aftermarket deck as installed I can't give you advice on what to do about whether that is the cause of the problem. Did it begin immediately after it was installed? Did you install it? Do you have any idea if it was 'plug and play', or was the wiring modified? The deck may have nothing to do with your present problem.
Did you try removing the cluster and reheating the solder joint as I described? Does it still show 'no bus'? If so, it would be helpful to solve that problem as when it is corrected you will be able to get engine diagnostic trouble codes using the ignition key.
Is your problem now that the car starts then dies in a few seconds? Do you have an anti-theft alarm system?

Roland

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: ok.

i bought this car off of my cousin, she bought the car off some other person. she said the deck was already in it when she got it. The deck is a Pioneer Super Tuner 3D.

she said it happened to her a couple of times during the 2 years she owned the vehicle.

i dont have the wiring harness manual or anything to do with the deck/ wiring harness the only thing i no is that its a Pioneer Super Tunner 3D deck.

the solder joint was soldered but i didnt re solder it, should i try it and see what hapens?

it only shows no bus, doesnt give me a code or nothing, i found the bus wire that was suppose to go to the back of my stock radio and everything and thats not connected to my aftermarket deck.

my car doesnt die, i can still drive its just when the no bus happens my daytime lights ( canadian ) flicker when the no bus happens.

i dont think it has anti theft on it.

il keep email u information as i go

thats all i can send you right now, or is there anyway i can buy a connector to bypass/loop it?

all help is appreciated thank you

ANSWER: Hi Jordan,
Thanks for clarifying the situation. I think we should set aside the deck as the issue and focus on the 'no bus'. I would do the solder 'touch up' that I described earlier, using a simple solder pencil to reheat all the joints, and also to verify the continuity of the specific wire to the pcm using an ohm-meter. While you have the circuit board visible you would do well to follow the metal 'traces' that run from the specific bus wire pin to other parts of the board and heat all the other places that are connected to it on the board trace. If you do all those things I would believe that the 'no bus' message will disappear. If the wire is patent, and the solder connections are re-heated then there is other way to by-pass the 'no bus' situation. The only remaining possibilities are a faulty pcm or a faulty cluster boad.
Roland

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Yes, it turns out that little connector, but only having one wire (has a spot in it for one more wire), is part of the BUS ... keep that disconnected when you install an aftermarket stereo, and all will be fine. 2000/2001 Dodge Neon 2.0L 5spd

remember that little number roland

the connector is a plastic piece that has 2 slots for wires but only 1 is in it.

the question said that if i keep some part of it disconnected all will be well. is it the plastic part?

Answer
Hi Jordan,
No, I would believe the person was speaking of the wire itself. Again, I don't think that connector has anything to do with your problem, but if the wire has been connected to anything in the new installation, then disconnect and see if that helps.
Roland