One of my roomates has a 1996 Grand Caravan 3.3L that he got for free from his girlfriend's parents (now ex, hah) after his 1995 Cirrus bit the dust. The other day, his instrument panel stopped working completely. Gauges all at zero, no PRND3L, no odometer, and I'm assuming the backlights are off as well. Interior lights are fine, exterior lights are fine, and he didn't mention whether or not the warning lights are functioning. I didn't see any when I was fiddling with it today, not even diagnostic test lights.
Today, he cleaned the battery contacts, checked the underhood fuses, and reset the van. I checked the fuses under the dash, and checked the connector on the instrument panel itself. I also pulled the panel out and visually inspected it for any crispy components. All looks well.
The van has had other problems in the past. Sometimes the lights wouldn't work. Sometimes it wouldn't start. Sometimes it went crazy. Two different mechanics believe the BCM is the culprit. One of them reset the van somehow and it has since then been working fine. For the last month, he's had no issues other than a flat tire.
Because of those previous issues, we're thinking the BCM might have something to do with this. If the BCM or IP itself are to blame, it's not an issue. There's a yard nearby with several vans of this vintage in stock.
So I ask the minivan experts, any thoughts? I'm well-versed in 2nd Generation LH car (Intrepid, Concorde, LHS, 300M) anatomy from my two Intrepids and 300M Special, but I'm unfamiliar with the minivans. I found link here from a van thread on LHForums.net. Thanks!
Today, he cleaned the battery contacts, checked the underhood fuses, and reset the van. I checked the fuses under the dash, and checked the connector on the instrument panel itself. I also pulled the panel out and visually inspected it for any crispy components. All looks well.
The van has had other problems in the past. Sometimes the lights wouldn't work. Sometimes it wouldn't start. Sometimes it went crazy. Two different mechanics believe the BCM is the culprit. One of them reset the van somehow and it has since then been working fine. For the last month, he's had no issues other than a flat tire.
Because of those previous issues, we're thinking the BCM might have something to do with this. If the BCM or IP itself are to blame, it's not an issue. There's a yard nearby with several vans of this vintage in stock.
So I ask the minivan experts, any thoughts? I'm well-versed in 2nd Generation LH car (Intrepid, Concorde, LHS, 300M) anatomy from my two Intrepids and 300M Special, but I'm unfamiliar with the minivans. I found link here from a van thread on LHForums.net. Thanks!