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I have a 1998 dodge caravan that the instument panel lights went out on and now I have no speed dometer , fuel gauge ,tach or milage anymore .What could it be ?
Optional Information: 1998 Dodge Caravan 3.3Already Tried: disconnected the battery and reconnected ,looked at fuses,has been an intermittant problem and now won't come back on
Wecome to the site my name is XXXXX XXXXX see if we can help resolve this issue.All of the guages and lights are dead on the dash?Hit the top of the dash above the cluster. If it comes back to life U will need a printed circuit board in the cluster this is a common thing.
Experience: 15 years working at a Dodge dealer level 4 Master Tech
Reply to Kevin's Post: well is the printed cluster board something a good do it yourselfer can do ? and about how long should it take and what does it invole ? I have been told it could be the ecm and also it could be the alternator ? this answer is new to me ????
sorry the cluster panel on the dash is dead now does not come on .
The cluster itself is a small computer. All of the guages that U see is nothing but a visual of the data that is comming past it on what is called a bus network kinda like in a computer at home. If the cluster it self is bad u wont be abe to see anything and the van still run. What will happen and does quite often when U turn it off and go to start it up next time if the clustre is not working u wont be able to start up due to the info trying to get through it for the engine computer to start up teling it that the alarm is not active it wont start. Hit the top of the dash abouve the cluster see what it does. U can replace the printed circuit board yourself but will require the dealer to program it once installed.
Reply to Kevin's Post: so what do i have to do to get at and replace the cluster circut board and do i have to disable the airbags so they don't open up ?(how do i do that ?)
For installation, reverse the above procedures. After installing the print circuit board it will have to be calibrated using a scan tool (DRB III) Refer to the proper Body Diagnostic Procedure Manual for calibration procedures.
NOTE: Speedometer and/or Tachometer will not operate properly until all gauges have been calibrated
Reply to Kevin's Post: I tried banging on the dashboard and nothing happens. so how can i be sure it is the cluster circuit board ? I also called dealer and the part is $424.00 and cannot be returned . Can an auto zone pick it up on their engine diagnos ? let me know. thanks
yeah I know it is expensive I have replaced many. The only codes I have seen is loss of commucations with TCM,PCM,BCM,or the cluster itself MIC.