Dash Lights and Gauges

Avatar
JOHN PROVINS
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Lights & Gauges on dash go out and so do the lights and then they come back on within about 4 min.
Sep 24, 2008 at 4:40 PM
Avatar
BMRFIXIT
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 19,053 POSTS
It sounds like the BCM checked for codes and cluster too


Sep 25, 2008 at 1:09 PM
Avatar
YOUCANFIXIT
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Just replaced ignition switch with lock cylinder on my 1998 dodge caravan no more problem with dashboard lights
Feb 19, 2019 at 5:08 PM
Avatar
STRAILER
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 55,512 POSTS
Excellent addition to this thread! Please feel free to help out whenever you are on the site :)
Feb 20, 2019 at 2:06 AM
Avatar
RUSSMAN57
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
1998 Dodge Caravan

I have a 98 Dodge Grand Caravan and the parking lights and dash lights come on by themsleves and that causes the battery to go dead. How can I fix this?
Feb 20, 2019 at 2:18 AM (Merged)
Avatar
MHPAUTOS
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 31,937 POSTS
I would be having the light switch check for a fault first, start here.

mark (mhpautos)
Feb 20, 2019 at 2:18 AM (Merged)
Avatar
SUPERNOVICE
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
My Dodge minivan has had a tollerable intermittent electrical problem for a few months now. After having driven the car for some time, parking and turning off the engine and then powering on after 15-30 minutes, the engine would start. But the dashboard lights would be out and the other instruments such as gas-guage and speedometer would not function. Powering off/on the car again may or may not return to full operation. Sometimes, banging on the dashboard would fix the problem. During a recent long 150 mile drive, the van shutoff while braking in - bumper to bumper traffice. When I attempted to turn the ignition - nothing! No power, no hazzard lights, no turn-over. After trying all of the former remedies and failing, I called AAA who put the van on a flatbed. As soon as the the van was in an upright position to move up the ramp, the tow-driver turned the ignition and the van started right up!
Feb 20, 2019 at 2:18 AM (Merged)
Avatar
BMRFIXIT
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 19,053 POSTS
No start suspect and need to be check is the ignition switch
as for the dash lights
cluster panel id at fault
need to be removed and replaced or repaired
the weld at the pins and the board brake and they need to be repaired
Feb 20, 2019 at 2:18 AM (Merged)
Avatar
HEONYOUNGHLEE
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Electrical problem
1998 Dodge Caravan 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic

I own a 98 Dodge Caravan Sport edition and something weird happened the other day. The car was working fine when I got home from work, but when i turned it on again to go out at night, the dashboard wasn't working at all. Also, the little gizmo I have (which comes stock) that shows which direction i'm going, avg mpg, etc wasn't working either. Then as I was driving for a little while, maybe about 2-3 miles, my headlights turned off and the lights in the car turned on for a split second, then everything was back to normal (dashboard and the gizmo were all working). I thought it was just a one time thing, but about a week after the incident, same thing happened, so i was wondering if anyone can tell me what could possibly be worng with the car, or take a wild guess? Thanks for the help
Feb 20, 2019 at 2:18 AM (Merged)
Avatar
BMRFIXIT
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 19,053 POSTS
Very common
instrument cluster board has a weak weld at the pin connection
have to be removed and weld it secure on again
Feb 20, 2019 at 2:18 AM (Merged)
Add a reply
Join 2CarPros for free, one of the most advanced car repair communities on the internet. From first-time drivers to seasoned mechanics, everyone is welcome to reply, share details, and get better answers. You can add a temporary image or video first; uploads are limited to 20 MB.

Frequently Asked Problems for This Vehicle