Chrysler Repair: Minivan: instrument panel failure, electronic circuit board, electrical gremlins


Question
QUESTION: Hi Kevin , after going through a car wash in my Grand Voyager my turn signals didn't work, when I attempted to turn my instrument panel went blank, this happened a few times and finally I have no turn signals or instruments working. the back light is very dim too, is there a fuse to reset? is it possible to do this myself. regards John

ANSWER: Hi John,
I suspect that you have a water leak at the lower left corner of the windshield which allows water to drip down on the fuse box/body computer interface and short out some interconnections there. You didn't say what was the year so I can't be specific about which fuses to check, but I would start by checking for a leak (or was a window ajar when the car was washed?) and if you find one seal it with some aftermarket compound you can apply to the shield/gasket interface or otherwise protect the electronics from the drip down. Then you might do well to remove the underdash panel on the driver side and unplug the plugs on the fuse box and the body controller and remove that pair of boxes. You will find that they slide together and that there are electrical connections between the two sides of the interface. I can imagine that water in between the two at the interface could cause these electrical gremlins. You can dry it out or alternatively use a spray can of electronic circuit board cleaner to evaporate the residual water that may be still the issue.
Let me know the year, and also explain what you meant by the dim "back light"; which light to be specific and are other similar lights working normally. Are the turn signal still out? And what specific aspects of the instrument panel are blank/non-functional?
Roland
PS Sorry for the delay but I just found your question in the pool to which it had been referred.

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QUESTION: Thanks Kevin, thanks for the reply
The year is 2001 and I live in England so it will be UK spec.
its the full instrument panel containing speedo rev counter fuel gauge temperature gauge and turn signals that are non functional.radio,windows mirrors heaters and everything else all working fine.
when i turn the headlights on the dashboard lights up dim. and when the chime operates its very quiet.
Haven't done any water leak checks yet as I've been working away, but theres a definite power failure to the instrument panel.?
John

ANSWER: Hi John,
I am not certain whether the right hand drive dash board is the mirror image of the those for the left hand drive vehicle or not. So there will be some ambiguity in my answer, so check both sides.
To begin, I would check fuse 24 in the power distribution box in the engine compartement (under the 'bonnet'). It might be blown, or it could have a subtle crack in it interal wire. That one powers the cluster, and the 'repeater lamps'/export only, so it makes sense that it is the cause.
There is a small electrical component called a diode attached to the outgoing wire of that fuse's socket so if that shorted to ground it would cause the fuse too blow also. as a possible explanation. So check that fuse, and if it blows again see if it appears to be a dead short to ground, using an ohmmeter.
It is possible that the ground connection to the body for the cluster is loose, if the fuse isn't the answer. It is located on the firewall under the dash, in line with the passenger side air bag (on the left-hand drive models).
But for now, I would suspect the fuase in your 'export' model.
Roland
PS I am not Kevin, but actually the other 'expert'. Kevin referred the question to me via a route called the question pool. Please 'rate' my answer, and consider giving a 'yes' to the question about 'volunteer of the month'.

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QUESTION: Great advice thanks , only one thing my fuses dont seem to be numbered, which fuse is 24? thanks again, John

Answer
The #24 fuse is directly behind the starter motor relay and it should be 20 amp. Do also consider the ground issue. Then, if nothing appears at fault, we are back to the water intrusion possibility related to the wash. By the way, do the hazard lights function?