QuestionQUESTION: Hi Roland. I guess I have been asking too many follow up questions. Sorry about that. To clarify the failing cluster issue it includes the tach/speed/fuel/ etc gauges as well as the LED odometer and shift indicator. The information center display (ABS/alarm/engine/etc) work fine. Does this still seem to lead to the switch?
Peter
ANSWER: Hi Peter,
I need to ask you help to identify your wiring set-up as I don't have a specific '00 manual (rather a '98 and an '02, one of which applies to your minivan, and the cluster wiring is quite different between those two manuals). In '98 manual the power box in the engine compartment is long and narrow and has 28 fuses and there is an underdash fuse box as well. In the '02 there is a single squarish box in the engine compartment with 33 fuses and no box under the dash. The clusters are wired differently as I mentioned. The '98 gets power from both the igntion switch and an always 'on' fuse, while the '02 gets power from the latter only, so would not be impacted specifically by a poor switch as far as power to operate it goes. And the digital info is supplied differently between the two cluster types.
You might also do a cluster self-test: with the ignition off, press and hold the trip and reset buttons, turn on the ignition and keep holding the buttons until the word 'code' appears in the odometer window then release and wait for anyother number to occur...this would be for a '98 type cluster. For an '02 type cluster there is just a single trip reset button only and you would do the same with it, except wait for the word 'Sof and a number' appears and wait to see what happens.
Please let me know which type of cluster you have.
So please let me know how you are set up.
Because tapping on the top of the dash jarred it back into function I lean toward starting at the cluster in any case. Then if that doesn't prove rewarding move to the ignition switch.
But I will be interested in nailing down exactly which wiring applies to the '00 model year with your help.
Roland
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: I have the two fuse boxes. A power distribution box under the hood with relays and fuses and a fuse box under the dash. Do you still require the code from the cluster?
Peter
AnswerHi Peter,
Thanks for the clarification of the setup.
If you would like to check the cluster, please do and let me know the result. It should have both a trip and a trip reset to press and hold. See what code you might get.
That cluster then in your '00 is run like all the other digital modules so it's loss of communication might be indicative of a system-wide issue with digital communications. The part of the ignition switch that powers the cluster in your vehicle powers part of the body computer and the cluster and the transmission controller, so one thing you would want to check when/if you have a no start is to see if fuse #2 under the dash shows there to be 12v present both in the 'run' and the 'start' position of the key. If not, then the switch is bad; if so, then the switch is presumably not the issue (but still may be because there are three other sections of that switch that would also need verificatio to completely 'clear' it).
So my suggestion would be to check that #2 fuse when it won't start, and if it is powered when you can't get it to start then remove the cluster and heat up the solder joints.
Roland
PS Feel free to 'rate' my answer once again.
