QuestionHi, I have a problem similar to the one raised on 10/15/2007 regarding, "Subject: 97 Grand Caravan Sport Dashboard lights". You offered to email directions to that reader for her husband to remove the "box and computer from the dash so as to get to the rear side, then unplug each of the multipin plugs and spray the plug and socket of each with circuit board cleaner that would evaporate the water if there is some there that is causing a short or clean a corroded contact." Could you send me those directions for my husband too? Did that work for her? I saw a blog on the gauge panel too. What are your thoughts on that as a possible cause?
Thank you,
Mary
AnswerHi Mary,
Sure I can copy that, if that is what he needs, no problem. But I would be interested to know what are the specifics of your situation.
A day later I sent this to the questioner
Here is how to remove the body controller:
disconnect the - clamp from the battery
remove the lower steering column cover and knee blocker reinforcement
disconnect two wires from the bottom of the bcm (body control module)
remove the bolts that hold the junction block (fuse box) to the dash panel mounting bracket
remove junction block from mounting bracket
remove screw holding the bcm to the jb (this may be unnecessary if you can get to the bcm plugs on the back side of the pair)
slide the bcm downward to disengage it from the jb("""")
check all the plug/socket interfaces for dirt/water and if found spray some spray electrical contact cleaner on both sides of the connection. Get the cleaner at an electronic supply store.
You are very welcome. Good luck on the trouble shooting
On the insturment cluster, it could be the source of the problem also as it participates in the digital data bus. He could remove that and check the solder joints between the pins from the plug sockets to the circuit board. Those have been often found to be electrically intermittent. All he has to do is reheat each solder joint with a soldering pencil to clear that as a possible cause.
Roland
