QuestionI will definitely be taking this to a mechanic. As an interesting footnote, the day I wrote this, the gauges began working and we have been enjoying gauges for about 3 days now, wow, how nice!
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Followup To
Question -
I have a 1998 Plymouth Voyager. For awhile my gauges would shut down
while driving then restart, sometimes they would not come on when
starting the car but kick in after awhile. This went on for over a year.
One mechanic said bad ignition wires, that change seemed to work awhile,
another mechanic said fuses, that change seemed to work awhile, last
mechanic worked on it for 1 1/2 hours and did not have time to continue
and wants it back. He said he was not getting communication with the
module. I now have no gauges at all, gas, odomoter, temperature or
speed, and my check engine light has been on for about 6 months steady. A good bang on the dash worked for a long time.
Which apparently is not giving any code. Mechanics have differed on that
as well, first diagnosis was cap and rotor and good tune up, light went
off for a day and back one, then he said bad cylinder, put some tape
over the light! The other mechanic says bad fuel injector, run some
cleaner, which I do every couple of fill ups but the light remains on.
Otherwise the van runs great, 160,000 miles. Any thoughts would be
appreciated.
Answer -
Hi Cathy,
This question comes in regularly, so often that I would suggest that you call Daimler-Chrysler in Detroit and see if they instituted a recall of the dash on the '98 vans.
Here is my response from a question that came in a week ago:
"The symptoms that you described are brought to my attention frequently here and they are consistent with a problem in the data bus system that is a digital communication pathway that interconnects the body control module, transmission control module, powertrain control module, air bag control module, instrument cluster, and compass/minitrip computer. It can be analyzed with a diagnostic readout box (Chrysler DRB III or equivalent) in the hands of a tech who has the Chrysler data bus repair manual and knowhow for the '98 van. Such an individual should be able to pinpoint exactly what is wrong and be able to give you high assurance that a part replacement/repair will solve the problem using a step-by-step procedure described in the manual. I would be inclined to look for a Chrysler-trained tech to do this analysis so as to have the best chance for choosing the right repair without guessing. I would not give up on the idea of substituting a part from a same year/model/and equipment vehicle because the memory unit might be reprogrammed to match together the VIN with your vehicle, using the same DRB III.
While there is no guarantee that a Chrysler dealer has such an individual, the chances are reasonably good. Check independent shops as well using the questions about whether
they have the test tool, trained tech,and data bus service manual so as to have the best chance of getting the answer as to what should be done. Only that way can you avoid throwing money at parts in a fruitless attempt."
I do have a couple of other thoughts as to what to try. It may be that the cluster has a self-diagnostic capability. Let's try this. If there is a trip odometer feature try pressing simultaneously the trip and the trip reset buttons and hold them in, then start the van, then release the buttons and see if anything appears in the odometer window. Let me know whether it does and we'll go from there, otherwise it is probably not set up for self-diagnosis.
If you have a voltmeter or a neon glow light and you want to verify the voltage is getting to the cluster you can remove it from the dash and then check to verify that there is 12v on the pink wire all the time, and 12v on the red/white wire when you turn the ignition to "run". Those wires are available on the plug that attaches to the rear of the cluster. Put your meter leads between each of those wires and the black/light green wire to do the two measurements. If that proves out o.k., then I suspect the cluster is bad or there is a problem in the data wires that also go the plug (the twisted pair of wires). And that cycles back to seeking help from a Chrysler dealer to analyze the data bus.
I would ignore the check engine light; it probably is a symptom of the general dash malaise. But while you are at the dealer ask them to readout the engine controller for any fault codes and let me know what the fault code numbers are if any.
But just in case, why not check whether there might be recall of the cluster?
Roland
AnswerHi Cathy,
The intermittant aspect of your cluster problem is noteworthy. I would suggest that it be in the failed mode whenever you take it to a mechanic, otherwise there is little likelihood of them finding out what is wrong. Did you try the cluster test that I spoke of in my response? Of course try that only when you are in the failed mode. Another approach to the same test is listed at the Allpar.com site:
"The 1998 Caravan does the same check engine light code trick, but it also does an instrument diagnostic check if you hold the trip and reset buttons and turn the key to the run position and wait 5 seconds. This helped me figure out that my input and output speed sensors were broken but the actual speedometer dial could move."
I just bought a '98 van service manual and a body module manual on eBay this past weekend. I expect them to arrive soon. When they do, I will check for any information that might be helpful to you and write back.
Roland
