Chrysler Repair: intrepid 1994: limp-in, loss of cluster readings, communication issue, transmission controller

Question
I have a intermittent electrical problem, I start my engine,nothing in the instrument panel work, also the daylight does not work but if I turn the headlight on they will work. If I leave with the car the transmission will stay on 1st gear, sometime the problem will rectify it self during driving witch will give a jerk.

Answer
Hi Dan,
I would try to readout the engine controller for fault codes using the ignition key:"on-off-on-off-on and leave on" doing that in 5 seconds or less. Then watch the check engine lamp which remains 'on' to begin to flash, pause, flash,etc. Count the number of flashes before each pause, then repeat the readout to assure you have an accurate set of flash counts. Then group the counts in pairs to form two-digit numbers that are the fault codes. The last such number will be 55. Then send me a follow-up question with the code numbers or go to www.allpar.com/fix/codes.html for a decoder. I suspect that you have an issue with the digital data bus because that is what provides the information to run the cluster as well as the transmission controls. You may also want to get a readout of the transmission controller's separate memory using a code reader that plugs in to a socket that is under the dash next to the steering column. Ask a trans shop (independent, not a nationwide franchise) if they have the 6-pin data link connector and a reader that is compatible with the Chrysler OBD-I system. The codes will again be two digit but they are for the transmission, so don't confuse them.
The car refusing to shift out of 2nd gear is called Limp In mode and is designed to protect the trans from damage until it can be repaired. I can't be sure yet if you have a trans problem or just a data bus communication issue. But get the codes and we'll go from there. I take it you are in Canada because of the daylight running lamps issue; we'll deal with that later.
Roland