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Showing posts with label electrical problem. Show all posts
Showing posts with label electrical problem. Show all posts

Thursday, March 28, 2013

Chrysler Sebring Limited convertible Intermittent Instrument Cluster Problem


Multiple Electrical Problems On Chrysler Instrument cluster Dashboard



2002 Chrysler Sebring Limited convertible have an intermittent dash light problem.
The lights will go off suddenly.
The second problem was while turning the steering wheel  heard a snapping sound and then a clicking sound from the steering column. Since then the horn does not work, the cruise control also quit, and the airbag light has come on.

Chrysler Instrument cluster dashboard
Vehicle Details:

Make: Chrysler
Model: Sebring Limited
Year: 2002
Engine: 2.7



EXPERT'S QUERY


When the lights go off is it just the instrument cluster illumination or does it also affect the radio and a/c control head?

Do they come back on their own or possibly flicker?


 CUSTOMERS REPLY TO EXPERT'S QUERY:

 On the first problem, it is just the instrument cluster. The rest of the dash lights are fine. They come back on their own and do not flicker.



EXPERT'S REPLY FOR TROUBLESHOOTING THIS PROBLEM:


Is It Switch Or Faulty Cluster?


If the cluster itself is the only thing acting up then you should be able to rule out a switch issue. The switch can cause the lights to come and go but it would affect all illumination.

What are the Possible Causes For This Problem?

 Possible causes would be wiring and connections, the body control module or the instrument cluster itself.

OK,But How To Exactly Confirm What is Faulty Out Of This Possibilities?

To know for sure what is going on it will take some simple testing while it's acting up, checking for power on the illumination circuit at the cluster connector while the lights aren't working.

Suppose if there is power there when the lights won't work then obviously the problem is in the cluster, but if not then you have a wiring or BCM problem and the next place you would need to test is the BCM. I've seen some problems with the clusters themselves cause illumination problems and there is a good chance your problem is in the cluster also.


OK, And What About Airbag,horn and Cruise Control Problem Which are Getting Noticed?

The airbag light, horn and cruise are all caused by a broken clock spring  The clock spring is in the top of the steering column under the wheel and is what makes electrical contact between the wheel and wiring harness and allows the wheel to turn.

Is It Easy To Replace Clock Spring?

 Replacing it isn't hard if you've done some intermediate repairs before, but you do have to remove the airbag. The airbag will need to be removed, the steering wheel and column shrouds removed, and then the clockspring is exposed and can be removed.

It takes less than an hour to replace. If you do the job yourself be sure to disconnect the battery and wait a few minutes before removing the airbag.


OK, But How to check for power on the illumination circuit at the cluster connector while the lights aren't working?

 Here is the complete test procedure:

First you will need few basic testing tools.

To check for power you'd either need to use a test light or voltmeter, I would prefer a test light in this case.

What Exactly I Have To Check?

 You would be checking for power right at the instrument cluster connector, the cluster would need to be removed.

But How To Remove Instrument Cluster?

 To remove the cluster you first remove the left instrument panel end cap. It is held in with push in fasteners and will pop off.

Using a small flat bladed tool get in behind the mirror switch bezel and gently pry it out, unplug the electrical connector and set the switch/bezel aside. Also remove the bezel to the right of the steering column.

Then you can remove the cluster bezel. The cluster bezel is the large trim piece that goes around the instrument cluster and contains the two center a/c vents.

There will be four screws to remove on the bezel.

Once the screws are out then you can get behind the panel and gently pry it rearward and work your way around popping the clips loose.

Disconnect the compass connector if you have a compass in the center of the dash, then you can completely remove the bezel and set it aside.

This will expose the screws that hold the instrument cluster in. Remove the screws and then remove the cluster.

OK,So After That What Wire Has To Be Tested For What Volts?

 Facing the cluster connector the top row of terminals is numbered 1-13, 1 being the top right and counting right to left. Pin 12 is an orange wire, this is the panel lamp driver wire and should have battery voltage with the lights on.


This Details Will Help.
Thanks.


ALSO VIEW THIS RELATED:

For Car parts and diagrams:

CAR MANUAL GUIDE
                 
FOR FREE MANUALS AND GUIDES: ---
Car repair guide?


For all types of car repair help:



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OVERHEATING: Radiator Fan Not Working

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"Radiator fan"  "Engine Fan"  "COOLING FAN WILL NOT TURN OFF"

LIFT GATE / TAIL GATE ISSUES

TRUNK WILL NOT OPEN


CAR ALARM ISSUES


Car starter removal, Starter motor testing, Starter repairs, Starter solenoid, Starter wiring,


DOOR PANEL REMOVAL, car door panel, door panel components, front door panel, rear door panel,


HEATER CORE REPLACEMENT, HEATER CORE REMOVAL, TROUBLESHOOT HEATER CORE, FLUSH HEATER CORE,

CAR POWER SEAT, ELECTRIC SEAT, POWER SEAT WILL NOT WORK, SEAT WILL NOT GO FORWARD,



For all types of---------

Timing belt routing diagrams for cars and trucks?



                          

==========

For all types of --------

Drive belt routing diagrams for cars and trucks?




stalling issues:
Engine stalls, car stalls while starting, vehicle stalls while starting, Engine stalls and dies, Car stalls and stops,


CRUISE CONTROL Not working, cruise control replacing, troubleshooting cruise control problems,


TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS:

NO REVERSE ON TRANSMISSION

GEAR SHIFT ISSUES

Transmission fluid leak, transmission gears slip,


TRANSMISSION REPLACING AND TROUBLESHOOTING, INSPECTING TRANSMISSION COMPONENTS, TRANSMISSION FAILURES, OD WARNING LIGHT,


TRANSMISSION FLUID FILLING, WHERE TO FILL TRANSMISSION FLUID, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID, NO TRANSMISSION DIPSTICK,


WINDSHIELD WIPERS, WINDSHIELD WIPERS NOT WORKING,WIPER MOTOR MAKING NOISE,NO WIPERS,WIPER FLUID LEAKS,WIPER FUSE AND RELAY,


COOLANT LEAK ISSUES, COOLANT LEAK PROBLEMS, COOLANT SENSOR, LOW COOLANT,


BRAKE LIGHTS NOT WORKING, REPAIRING BRAKE LIGHTS, NO BRAKE LIGHTS,


CHECK ENGINE LIGHT,ENGINE WARNING LIGHT FLASHING,ENGINE LIGHT ON DASH,DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHT,ECM ERROR CODES,


DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHTS ARE ON, ENGINE LIGHT ON DASH,WARNING LIGHTS STEADY ON DASH,RESET DASH BOARD WARNING INDICATOR,


KEYFOB PROGRAMMING, REPROGRAMMING CAR KEY, KEYLESS ENTRY RESET,ANTITHEFT WILL NOT LET CAR TO START, ANTI THEFT ISSUES, KEYFOB NOT WORKING, KEYLESS ENTRY QUIT WORKING,


IGNITION KEY WILL NOT RELEASE, IGNITION KEY STUCK UP, KEY WILL NOT COME OUT OF IGNITION, FAULTY IGNITION KEY LOCK CYLINDER, REPLACING IGNITION CYLINDER,


HEATER ISSUES:

HEATER NOT BLOWING COLD,NO HOT AIR FROM HEATER,A/C BLOWS HOT AIR,A/C NOT BLOWING COLD, COLD AIR FROM HEATER,BLEND DOOR ACUTATOR CLOSED,HVAC UNIT NOT OPERATING,



HEATER NOT BLOWING COLD,NO HOT AIR FROM HEATER,A/C BLOWS HOT AIR,A/C NOT BLOWING COLD, COLD AIR FROM HEATER,BLEND DOOR ACUTATOR CLOSED,HVAC UNIT NOT OPERATING,



STEERING ISSUES:

POWER STEERING TROUBLESHOOTING, STEERING SQUEAKS, POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKS, FAULTY POWER STEERING PUMP, POWER STEERING NOT WORKING, POWER STEERING BELT,



VEHICLE STARTING ISSUE:

CAR NO START: ENGINE NOT TURNING OVER:





Labels: chrysler sebring, chysler, dashboard, electrical problem, instrument cluster

Thursday, March 14, 2013

Electrical problems in car

Car problems: Electrical Problems


Intermittent electrical problem

How to diagnose an intermittent electrical problem on a 1998 Chrysler Town and Country? 

Details Regarding The Problem:

The intermittent problem first happened three weeks ago with about 100k on the odometer. The electric locks did not function, nor the headlights, interior lights, wipers, instrument panel, and overhead computer readout values ( the overhead would display "ODO" for odometer but not the mileage value.) 

odometer electrical problem


The car would start but die after 2 seconds. I was able to start the car 5 times but the engine died each time after 2 seconds. After that the starter would not engage anymore. 

Then towed the car home but the next morning the car started fine with no apparent electrical problems. 

This set of related electrical problems has been occurring at random times and for random duration's and they all happened at the same time. 

The problems have happened while the car was running - headlights quit working on the interstate but at least the hazard lights and signals continued to work. 

Yesterday there was a change in behavior wherein the car would run but the other electrical problems (no headlights, locks, etc.) were present. 

Now Today the car would not start. 
car will not start

AT AUTO REPAIR GARAGE:
I took the car to an electrical auto mechanic yesterday and he diagnosed that I need a $800 body control module but it seems (from reading accounts of other T/C owners) that technicians frequently blame the BCM rather than locate the real problem, which might be a short circuit in the door panel, for example. 

HOW CAN I :

How can I know that the BCM is really bad? It's not making a lot of sense to me that a computer failure would be intermittent like this. 
I would think a digital electrical component would just stop working, not fail on and off over a period of minutes or days. 
By the way, I don't think the solder connections on the instrument cluster is the problem because I disconnected it and the joints looked fine.

One more important thing about 13 seconds after connecting the battery I hear a faint "click" possibly in the driver's door like the lock mechanism moving just a bit, and simultaneously a faint click under the steering wheel like a relay engaging.

body control module




THE TROUBLESHOOTING DETAILS FOR THIS PROBLEM IS MENTIONED BELOW:


Based on your symptoms I definitely indicates towards failing BCM. If your problem was just the instrument cluster along with starting and dying then I would suspect a cluster issue, but it can't cause the rest of the problems you are having. The BCM is very often blamed for cluster and security issues on these vans when it's not actually the problem, but in your case you have much more going on than just that. The locks, lights, wipers, etc are all controlled by the BCM, if you're having problems with all of the BCM's outputs at the same time then it's most likely going to be the BCM.


SUGGESTIONS TO TRY:

Its suggested to  do is load test the BCM powers and grounds while it's acting up. This is best done using a headlamp or fog lamp bulb and a couple jumper wires and the bulb should light just as brightly as if connected to the battery. If the powers and grounds are ok while all this is going on then you're going to need a BCM.

Buying a BCM on Ebay

Going for used bcm is not advisable,I see about 5 listed for about $200  that match  1998 Town and Country. One seller lists the part number 04801062 and will program the BCM with  VIN. If second hand BCM comes as warranty product or at least with guarantee of exchange if faulty.Then I'd obviously like to avoid buying BCM from the dealer for $800.


HELPFUL ADVISE FOR REPLACEMENT BCM:

As long as it's the correct one then you should be fine. You can get into trouble with used BCM's if you don't originally have factory security, but your Town and Country should already have it anyway. 
As long as you get the correct part number module you should be fine. The key fobs program to a separate module on these so you won't have to worry about any programming or anything once the replacement is installed.

Hope this details helps you to troubleshoot the problem.

ALSO VIEW THIS RELATED:

For Car parts and diagrams:

CAR MANUAL GUIDE
                 
FOR FREE MANUALS AND GUIDES: ---
Car repair guide?


For all types of car repair help:



Car Backfires

For car repair How to guides:
www.howtorepairguide.com
OVERHEATING: Radiator Fan Not Working

Engine Cooling Fan not Working


"Radiator fan"  "Engine Fan"  "COOLING FAN WILL NOT TURN OFF"

LIFT GATE / TAIL GATE ISSUES

TRUNK WILL NOT OPEN


CAR ALARM ISSUES


Car starter removal, Starter motor testing, Starter repairs, Starter solenoid, Starter wiring,


DOOR PANEL REMOVAL, car door panel, door panel components, front door panel, rear door panel,


HEATER CORE REPLACEMENT, HEATER CORE REMOVAL, TROUBLESHOOT HEATER CORE, FLUSH HEATER CORE,

CAR POWER SEAT, ELECTRIC SEAT, POWER SEAT WILL NOT WORK, SEAT WILL NOT GO FORWARD,



For all types of---------

Timing belt routing diagrams for cars and trucks?



                          

==========

For all types of --------

Drive belt routing diagrams for cars and trucks?




stalling issues:
Engine stalls, car stalls while starting, vehicle stalls while starting, Engine stalls and dies, Car stalls and stops,


CRUISE CONTROL Not working, cruise control replacing, troubleshooting cruise control problems,


TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS:

NO REVERSE ON TRANSMISSION

GEAR SHIFT ISSUES

Transmission fluid leak, transmission gears slip,


TRANSMISSION REPLACING AND TROUBLESHOOTING, INSPECTING TRANSMISSION COMPONENTS, TRANSMISSION FAILURES, OD WARNING LIGHT,


TRANSMISSION FLUID FILLING, WHERE TO FILL TRANSMISSION FLUID, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID, NO TRANSMISSION DIPSTICK,


WINDSHIELD WIPERS, WINDSHIELD WIPERS NOT WORKING,WIPER MOTOR MAKING NOISE,NO WIPERS,WIPER FLUID LEAKS,WIPER FUSE AND RELAY,


COOLANT LEAK ISSUES, COOLANT LEAK PROBLEMS, COOLANT SENSOR, LOW COOLANT,


BRAKE LIGHTS NOT WORKING, REPAIRING BRAKE LIGHTS, NO BRAKE LIGHTS,


CHECK ENGINE LIGHT,ENGINE WARNING LIGHT FLASHING,ENGINE LIGHT ON DASH,DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHT,ECM ERROR CODES,


DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHTS ARE ON, ENGINE LIGHT ON DASH,WARNING LIGHTS STEADY ON DASH,RESET DASH BOARD WARNING INDICATOR,


KEYFOB PROGRAMMING, REPROGRAMMING CAR KEY, KEYLESS ENTRY RESET,ANTITHEFT WILL NOT LET CAR TO START, ANTI THEFT ISSUES, KEYFOB NOT WORKING, KEYLESS ENTRY QUIT WORKING,


IGNITION KEY WILL NOT RELEASE, IGNITION KEY STUCK UP, KEY WILL NOT COME OUT OF IGNITION, FAULTY IGNITION KEY LOCK CYLINDER, REPLACING IGNITION CYLINDER,


HEATER ISSUES:

HEATER NOT BLOWING COLD,NO HOT AIR FROM HEATER,A/C BLOWS HOT AIR,A/C NOT BLOWING COLD, COLD AIR FROM HEATER,BLEND DOOR ACUTATOR CLOSED,HVAC UNIT NOT OPERATING,



HEATER NOT BLOWING COLD,NO HOT AIR FROM HEATER,A/C BLOWS HOT AIR,A/C NOT BLOWING COLD, COLD AIR FROM HEATER,BLEND DOOR ACUTATOR CLOSED,HVAC UNIT NOT OPERATING,



STEERING ISSUES:

POWER STEERING TROUBLESHOOTING, STEERING SQUEAKS, POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKS, FAULTY POWER STEERING PUMP, POWER STEERING NOT WORKING, POWER STEERING BELT,



VEHICLE STARTING ISSUE:

CAR NO START: ENGINE NOT TURNING OVER:
Labels: bcm, electrical problem, electrical problems, intermittent car problems, module
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