Chrysler Repair: Code P 1698-no CCD Bus commun.: trans contoller, diagnostic methodology, inner fender

Question
My 199 T&C bought new in 6/98 has the the folowing problem: Star Stall 4 x's then goes dead for several hours. It first happened about 2 years ago then again a year later. Both times the dealer could not find any fault codes. I took it a independent gagarge and he said he got a "body Module" failure code but I had to take it to the dealer for repair. I did and now 4 months later the problem is happening more often with fewer day between. It's happened 4x's since November. I'm now getting a P1698 Fault code according to the State emmisions test, which it failed. Also lately the gauges have been failing and reseting. I wan to keep the car but I have to fix it.

Answer
Hi Robert,
The P1698 code means that no digital data is being received by the powertrain controller from the transmission control module, located on the right inner fender. The manual says to check the ccd bus wires between the module and the rest of the system using the Chrysler diagnostic readout box. But if you don't have one then I think you can do the same thing by measuring for continuity (near 0 resistance) between pin 4 of its plug and pin 11 of the data link plug under the dash or pin 59 of the powertrain controller plug.
Then check the resistance between pin 43 if its plug and pin 3 of the data link connector or pin 60 of the powertrain controller plug. The powertrain controller is on the opposite side of the engine compartment on the left inner fender. These module plugs are held in place by a bolt. If the continuity between the transmission and the powertrain CCD wires checks to be ok, then according to the manual the trans controller should be replaced.
That is my analysis of what you report. You may have been told to replace the body control module erroneously because the code for that is P1695.  If the independent garage was using the check engine light as its diagnostic methodology those problems both give a code 66, so they may guessed that it was the body module as being the faulty one. Problems with starting and with gauges are often related to this data bus communication system so all your issues seem to point this way. You might also, when checking the wires, also verify that they are not shorted to ground.
Roland