QuestionQUESTION: Hi i have a 97 grand caravan and the dashboard gauges keep going out but the car is running. It acts like it's kind of hesistant when the gauges are out though. The ABS light will come on once in a while too. The service engine light is now on all the time. The other day the van quit running completely but started right back up. If you have any knowledge on this would be greatly appreciated. The wipers will go off out of nowhere too. My husband does some car work but isn't real sure what the problem is. Thanks so much.
ANSWER: Hi Terra,
All the "gremlins" you describe, except maybe the check engine light, are likely due to problems with the digital communication system that ties together the engine controller, the transmission controller, the abs, the instrument cluster, most of the electronic devices outside the engine compartment, etc. This is transmitted over a single pair of wires, twisted together, that run between all these components. The heart of it is in the body computer which is mounted on the rear side of the fuse box that is under the dash on the driver's side of instrument cluster. About the only thing you could check without a Chrysler diagnostic readout box (which costs $6,000) is whether you might have gotten some water (dripping down from a leak around the lower corner of the windshield) on the several plugs on the computer. I would be inclined 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.
If your husband wants to try this, send me a follow up and I'll type in the exact instructions.
The check engine light might well mean you have a problem that is causing excess air pollution. You can get a free readout of the engine controller at most Autozone parts stores, or for about $0 at an independent shop. Find out what the fault code numbers are and let me know and we can see what that suggests. Tell me what engine you have.
Roland
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: My husband would like to try this. If you could send detailed instructions would be great. He seems very confident in the info you've given us already. Thank you so much!1
AnswerHere 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
