Chrysler Repair: 00 concorde 2.7L:no speedo/odo/gear indic., speed sensors, diagnostic capabilities

Question
Hello, my father & I have been working on my 00 concorde for the pass month and we just can't seem to fix it, hopefully u can help. We changed the input /output speed sensors and the starter; now the car is finally working but the speedo doesn't move, the mile counter thing and the screen that tells you which gear you are in doesn't work. The check engine light is on, & the rpm is high even when its going like 2 mph. Oh yeah... it shuts off too.  PLEASE... PLEASE... help us.

Answer
Hi Nicole,
All the missing indications are carried to the instrument cluster via the digital dats bus, a pair of wires that ties together a half-dozen computer-like modules. Because you have the check engine light 'on' and the idle speed is high there is something beyond just a failure to get the data up to the cluster. I would recommend that you get a readout of the fault codes that are probably stored in the memory of the data bus. There is a 16-pin plug under the dash into which a code readed is plugged.  Autozone parts stores will often do this for free, or an independent shop will do it for under $40. Find out what the code numbers are, what they say they mean, what they recommend be done, and how much it will cost. Then if you want a comparitive evaluation write back and tell me what you learned and we can compare that to what the Chrysler shop manual says about the codes. Then you can decide how to go from there.
That way we take advantage of the self-diagnostic capabilities of the car and don't guess about it.
Roland