Chrysler Repair: 96 Dodge Caravan instrument issues, digital odometer, soldering pencil

Question
QUESTION: Hiya, I have a 96 Dodge Caravan 3.0L engine 3 speed auto trans. The speedometer doesnt work ..the digital odometer doesnt work and both the temp. and the gas gauge's jump halfway up when the key is turned on and stay there until it is turned off. I have checked the fuses and looked for shorts but found nothing. I was wondering if you could point me in the right direction ... Thanks in advance , frizbee

ANSWER: Hi Frizbee,
I would begin by removing the cluster and checking the solder joints between the plug socket pins and the circuit board. "Cold" solder joints are poor connections and likely the two digital daa bus wires (twisted together comming into the plug on pins 9 and 10) are the points that need to be reheated with a soldering pencil to restore data needed to operate all the things that don't work.
Roland
PS Please 'rate' my answer and where you see the question about a 'nomination for volunteer of the month' consider giving a 'yes' response. Thank you


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hello again, I took the instrument cluster out . there were no wires twisted ... all joints were good ... and nothing works on it ...the gauges go half way up .. no idiot lights work .. and its very dim with the lights on at night (yes the dimmer switch is all the way up) the van itself runs fine ..just no instrumentation Thanks again in advance and if you can help me figure out this issue i will rate you tens across the board :)

Answer
Hi Frizbee,
I would verify that you have 12v on pin 2 of the plug even when the ignition is off. Also check that 12v is on pin 11 when the key is in the run position.  Check that pin 7 and 13 are firmly grounded. Those along with having the good connection of the data bus wires to the circuit board  pins 11 and 12 are what you need.
Do you have wires on pins 3 and 5 or not? Let me know what you learn, please.
Roland