QuestionQUESTION: I have a 2000 Grand Voyager 3.3L engine. No issues until today. While engine is running the dashboard lights which display the boxes around the transmission state are erratic most of the time. Often showing boxes around all. Car seems to lurch a bit when putting in Drive, even when not moving. Also, the electic door lock does nothing when I try to lock (either by pushing down the lock button on either front door or using the key outside the vehicle). However, the unlock function works. Suggestions are much appreciated.
ANSWER: Hi Steve,
There is apparently something wrong with the digital data bus which is involved in communicating the the trans setting and also activating/deactivating the door locks. Try to get a fault code to show up on odometer window: use the ignition key, "on-off-on-off-on and leave on" doing that in 5 seconds or less elapsed time. Then watch the odometer window to see if the miles reading changes to show a 4-digit code(s) prefixed by a P. Let me know if you get such. If not, then I would try a readout via the socket under the dash to the left of the steering column using a code reader. An Autozone parts store will do it for free, or an independent garage might charge aroune $40. Either way, ask for the specific numbers and what they say it means/what to do/how much. Then write back and we'll compare notes and decide the best course of action.
Please do me one favor, let me know whether you have a single large rectangular power distributrion box under the hood OR a long narrow box under the hood with a separate fuse box under the dash on the left side. That way I will know which wiring diagrams I have apply to your '00 vehicle. Also, do you have the remote keyless entry feature?
Thanks,
Roland
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Ugh...took it to Autozone and there were no codes stored. Interesting that the behavior of the lights on the dash around the transmission state changed just a smidge. The box would only show when it was in Drive or Reverse, otherwise no box. Doorlock state unchanged - can't lock with key or depress of either door button.
They suggested I take it to a dealership where they have more sophisticated equipment.
Thoughts?
Steve
From last msg - large distro box under hood, no inside fuse box, no keyless entry.
ANSWER: Hi Steve,
The power locks are energized by the body control module and the fuses for that are 19 and 20 so check those out. Did you try to lock/unlock from the passenger door? If that side works, then the driver door switch or the wire from the switch to the body computer is bad.
On the cluster, try the self-diagnostic test:
With the ignition off, press and hold the trip reset button. Then turn on the ignition and keep holding down the button until 'sof' and a number after that are shown. Then wait to see if another number shows up in the odometer window. Then it will show 'end'. Let me know what numbers show up, if any.
Roland
PS Is the trans normal or hesitating?
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Hi Roland,
- The fuses are not numbered in the box, but I found the 40 amp fuse and there is nothing wrong with it - I swapped it out just in case, but it was fine.
- Door lock problem occurs with both front doors - doesn't work on either door (depressing inside locks or using key external).
- I did the self-diagnostic test on the cluster and the method to obtain the codes was slightly different. I had to hold both the trip and reset buttons in while turning the ignition to on, held for several seconds, let go, and presed trip. Never saw 'sol' with a number...but doing my technique made the number 2, 23, 55 flash in succession over and over until I hit trip button again.
- Transmission only seems to lurch if the engine is under load (A/C on). Otherwise appears to be operating normal.
Steve
AnswerHi Steve,
Because there are several 40 amp fuses in the underhood box according to the '98 and the '02 manual, I will just pass on the fuse issue for now. I suggested that you find those two fuses because they are shown on the same page of the '02 wiring diagrams as powering the body control part which also powers the locking and unlocking of the power locks. The '02 body controller shows four wires (two to each front door lock/unlock motor) and apparently the body control simply reverses the polarity on the wires to lock or unlock the locks. However, on the '98 wiring diagrams, the vehicle does have a door lock relay and a door unlock relay, both located under the dash in the fuse box, which you say you don't have, so I would believe the lock relay is bad if you have one somewhere. Do you hear a relay when you do the unlock action? If so, then find that relay and right next to it there will be a lock relay which has gone bad.
On the cluster, I gave you the procedure from the '02 manual, but apparently your '00 cluster is done the way the '98 manual says to do a self test. The numbers that came up are unrelated to a self-test of the cluster result, but they hint of the old OBD-I fault code system which had 2-digit number codes. I don't know what the 2 means, the 55 means 'end of code readout' and the 23 code meant something was wrong with the temp sensor at the throttle body. Is there a chance that you don't have the original engine computer on board but rather an earlier version? I don't know what to make of your result.
So, I'll leave it for there and await any further developments such as your getting some 4-digit fault codes.
Roland
