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Car Forum / Dodge / Dodge Cars / August 2008

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Dashboard only partially functional

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zelskid - 07 Jul 2008 22:22 GMT
Computer on 2002 Dodge B2500 Van was replaced under warranty. Lost
most of dash functions. Dealer replaced computer 3 more times with
same results. I have lost confidence in him.Here is what dash does:
Fuel gauge: works 99% of the time.
Voltage and coolant temp: work intermittently.
Odometer: reads periodically, but stuck at one number
Speedometer: reads zero most of the time, but periodically reads
anywhere from 20-120 mph.
Idiot lights: on all the time.

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maxpower - 08 Jul 2008 00:38 GMT
> Computer on 2002 Dodge B2500 Van was replaced under warranty. Lost
> most of dash functions. Dealer replaced computer 3 more times with
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> anywhere from 20-120 mph.
> Idiot lights: on all the time.

Take it to someone who can diagnose it. If they are replacing the PCM for
this they are totally lost. This is not an engine controller problem. More
then likely a cluster problem.

Glenn Beasley
Chrysler Tech
Raymond Sirois - 08 Jul 2008 05:18 GMT
>> Computer on 2002 Dodge B2500 Van was replaced under warranty. Lost
>> most of dash functions. Dealer replaced computer 3 more times with
[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]
>Glenn Beasley
>Chrysler Tech

Sounds like a cluster alright, but somehow I'm thinking OTHER than
instrument cluster, as in cluster f**k...  Thing is, something like
this is not a task for any general purpose, run of the mill,
wrench-turner working out of Joe's Garage.  It's gonna take factory
trained personell, and that kind of training is almost surely to be
found only at a dealership.  I'd recommend the OP take his vehicle to
a DIFFERENT Dodge/Chrysler/Plymouth (damn!  Old habits die hard!)
dealership and have them go over it with a fine-toothed comb.  Keep
any and all documentation related to this odyssey and if presented
with the bill, pay it politely and promptly.  

Providing he gets billed, THEN he should make photocopies of all
documentation, all work orders, all job invoices, all bills and
receipts and contact customer service for the Chrysler corporation
citing dealership fault in creating the problem, in not being able to
effectively diagnose and resolve the problem, and asking for
reimbursement for bills paid (and NOTHING extra for "punitive" damages
- as that will surely result in refusal to refund and an invitation to
sue them at your expense).  If you don't meet with satisfaction,
repeat the request, but this time cc: the attorney general of your
state, and include a cc: {Name}, Attorny General, {your state} on the
correspondence.
Signature

Ray Sirois
SysOp: The Lost Chord BBS
http://thelostchord.dns2go.com:6080
telnet://thelostchord.dns2go.com:6023

zelskid - 21 Jul 2008 23:22 GMT
Thanks for advice.
The first computer was replaced because the vehicle wouldn’t start.
BTW: most of the time the odometer reads "NO BUS" This is also what
it read when the computer wouldn’t start the vehicle. The fact that
the temp and all gauges periodically work,makes me think that the
cluster is ok. The dealer says it is ok. The odometer and speedometer
periodically read nonsensical values. Could it be a bad jack? The
dealer has charged me nothing so far, since the computer falls under
the 100k emmissions warranty.
I’m sure who would like to find a nonwarranty defect like the cluster.
Also: the Cruise control stopped working

> On Mon, 7 Jul 2008 19:38:51 -0400, "maxpower"
> <gjbeasley@comcast.net>,
[quoted text clipped - 66 lines]
> on the
> correspondence.
HLS - 29 Aug 2008 14:33 GMT
"maxpower" <gjbeasley@comcast.net> wrote in message
> Take it to someone who can diagnose it. If they are replacing the PCM for
> this they are totally lost. This is not an engine controller problem. More
> then likely a cluster problem.
>
> Glenn Beasley
> Chrysler Tech

Glenn, sounds like you should know your way around an instrument cluster.
My 2500 (custom van) has lost some of the lighting for the instruments.  I
am
a very experienced amateur but have no specific training in this phase of
work.
How hard it is to replace those nonfunctioning lighting elements?
maxpower - 29 Aug 2008 22:19 GMT
> "maxpower" <gjbeasley@comcast.net> wrote in message
> > Take it to someone who can diagnose it. If they are replacing the PCM for
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
> work.
> How hard it is to replace those nonfunctioning lighting elements?

I have been working for a Chrysler dealer for the past 15 years and we
didn't service trucks. I  just changed and went to a Dodge dealer 4 months
ago and not really familiar with all the clusters on these. You don't
specify what year truck so I cant give you much info. The older models were
very easy to replace.

Glenn
HLS - 30 Aug 2008 00:12 GMT
This is a 1997 full sized B2500 van, 318 cid, custom..
It has been an example of reliability.

Driving it home from Houston the other night, I noticed the speedometer
was hard to read.  Some of the other gauges were hard, or impossible to
read.

My repair manual shows multiple light elements.  I have had the dash
open before but have not had to do deep surgery.

I will probably give it a try, but just wanted to see if you had any
comments.

>> "maxpower" <gjbeasley@comcast.net> wrote in message
>> > Take it to someone who can diagnose it. If they are replacing the PCM
[quoted text clipped - 22 lines]
>
> Glenn
maxpower - 30 Aug 2008 10:53 GMT
> This is a 1997 full sized B2500 van, 318 cid, custom..
> It has been an example of reliability.
[quoted text clipped - 35 lines]
> >
> > Glenn

On some models the tilt steering will have to be lowered  to allow the
cluster to come out. If some models aren't equipped with tilt then the
column will have to be lowered to allow clearance. I don't think you will
have a problem.
HLS - 30 Aug 2008 13:40 GMT
"maxpower" <gjbeasley@comcast.net> wrote in message
> I have been working for a Chrysler dealer for the past 15 years and we
> didn't service trucks. I  just changed and went to a Dodge dealer 4 months
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>
> Glenn

It is a 1997 Custom Van, built on the 2500 chassis.
 
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