Chrysler Repair: Check Engine, Gauges, powertrain control module, 1998 plymouth voyager

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. 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
Wow, fire all of those mechanics.

OK, check engine light.  There's a code somewhere in some module so there's got to be an end to this madness and it starts by finding out that code or codes.

Next, the cluster going in and out sounds like a bad instrument cluster.  Try beating on the top of the dash to make it pop back on.  The Mechanical Instrument Cluster (MIC) is tied in to the transmission control module, the powertrain control module and several others.  The MIC talks on a network called the BUS network.  Whenever a module on the BUS goes down, it can cause other modules not to talk as well.  If the Transmission and the powertrain control module don't talk then that's why your Check Engine Light (CEL) is on.  

I'm going out on a limb here and going to suggest you replace the MIC and go to a different mechanic.  This mechanic must have a scan tool that can talk with the transmission, engine, and body control modules.  If they can't, go somewhere that can.  This may mean going straight to the dealership but as you can tell the people you've gone to so far haven't fixed your problem and I doubt they could.
Doug