Chrysler Repair: 1997 Sebring JXI conv, dash board instruments fault, intermittent faults, sebring coupe

Question
1997 Sebring JXI convertible.Intermittent faults developing.  The first is several years old: the tach and odometer do not work when I start the car, after a few minutes, they may start.  The odometer is tracking the miles correc tly but does not illuminate.  The tach and odometer/trip meter always switch on and off together.  The second fault is in the fuel gauge, new onset this AM...tank is full, meter reads full then empty warning light goes on, needle starts to drop, then rebounds back to full.  I am thinking dirty contacts at the body computer, where is it?  I think that if the computer were fried, the problem would be constant.  I cannot rule out impending sender failure on the tank, but as they are both "body computer" managed, then I am thinking failing connector.

Answer
Hi Ken
I am uncertain about the circuit design for the Sebring convertible model because I only have the manual for the '95 Sebring coupe. In that car the body computer is not involved with any of the instrument cluster data, although digital signals from the sensor are received from the powertrain controller, trans controller; and individual sensors on separate wires. So it appears to be a pre-body computer-centered design. Even if the body computer were in the mix I doubt it would be the cause of your problem because then all the data would come to the cluster on the CCD bus wires (2) and so all the meters would act up in that case. My inclination would be to suspect a common failure in the tach/speedo power supply that is located within the cluster (a cracked trace), and for the fuel gauge I would definitely suspect the in-tank sendor.
The body computer is located under the dash, behind the fuse box for reference.
Sorry to not have the specifics on the convertible version but in any case I doubt it is a problem with the body computer.
Please let me know if your search proves otherwise.
Roland