Chrysler Repair: Speedometer/ Tachometer not working:98 LH, chrystler, speed controllers

Question
I own a 1998 Chrystler Concorde. Recently the Speedometer and Taccometer have stopped working accompanied by a check engine light. Any suggestions? Thank you!

Answer
Hi Benjamin,
The information on speed and rpm are carried on a digital data line from the engine (tach) and trans (speed) controllers. I would suspect that the data is on the data line but not being read by the instrument panel or the panel gauges for those two functions have failed. However, because you have the check engine light it would be smart to read out the data gathering system's memory for exactly what are the faults that it has detected and perhaps one will explain why the gauges are not working.
You may be able to get a free readout at Autozone stores. If not, try the ignition key: turn it on-off-on-off-on and leave it on, doing this within a total elapased time of 5 seconds or less. Then watch the check engine light which will be "on" to begin to flash and pause, flash and pause, etc. Count the number of flashes before each pause, then combine the numbers in pairs to form two digit numbers which are fault codes. (If the check engine light doesn't flash, then instead watch for codes to appear in the odometer window.) If that doesn't produce codes then get the readout performed at a shop.
Once you get the fault numbers write back and tell me of them and I'll give you some suggestions. You can also go to www.allpar.com/fix/codes.html for a list of translations of the code numbers.
Then we may get some answers as to why the cluster is not showing the speed or the rpm.
Roland