QuestionHi Roland,
Is it logical that both an instrument cluster and a body controller could both die at the same time? Original problem was the instrument cluster, no turn signals, dash lights, gauges, etc. Dealer said it was the instrument cluster ($800.00).
When I went to have it replaced, they then told me it was also the body controller (another $300.00).
Does this sound possible? or is it more likely that it was mis-diagnosed?
Is either of these servicable by other than the dealer?
AnswerHi Tom,
The answers to your questions depend upon the approximate model year of your van and the diagnostic capabilities of the shop. The information necessary to operate the cluster is digital and is transported around the vehicle on a data bus. The problem in the data handling could occur in any part of the system but the body computer or the engine/transmission controllers are the likely origins.
There is a Chrysler Diagnostic Readout Box (either II or III series depending upon year of the car) which can usually determine what is the fault and suggest where to look to correct it. Other aftermarket test units are available that may do as well in the hands of experienced mechanics who specialize in the electronics systems. So my inclination would be to query the dealer and ask for specific readout information from their DRB unit as to what fault codes were shown on their readout box and what the manual indicates needs to be done very specifically to further troubleshoot the system. If you get the fault codes and your van is pre-96 I may be able to compare what you were told with manual that I have for that time frame (DRB II was the unit that was used prior to '96). If you can't get that information from the dealer then I would speak with other independent shops to see if they have the reader and experience to properly diagnose whether both the body computer and the cluster would be bad. The cluster doesn't generate data but it needs to receive data to operate, whereas the body computer does both. So I would want to ascertain that the data is reaching the cluster before proposing to replace it. A dealer can probably substitute one unit for another to test the cluster. Or you could find a used cluster at a pull-it-yourself wrecking yard for a lot less than $800. The body computer is similarly replaceable with a used part so long as it comes from a van of the same year and equipment that it interacts with.
So let me know what has actually happened with this repair.
Did you pay the $1100 or can you still try other approaches? Once the dealer did the work it will be difficult to challenge their approach unless you got the old parts back and can have them tested by substitution in a similar vehicle, or even you own vehicle, to see if the old cluster will work with the new computer or vice versa. If that were shown then you could claim that they substituted parts unnecessarily. But the choice as to what to do should have been based on the fault codes revealed by the appropriate DRB and application of the Fault tree/Event tree approach to focussing down on the issue so as to pinpoint exactly what is the cause of the problem, as is outlined in the Chrysler shop manual for the "CCD Bus System".
Roland
