1992 Dodge Caravan dashboard gauges

Sorry for the delay in replying.

Hi Madisonjimmy, Randy here. Don't worry about the donation. Think of it as a tip, not a requirement. You wont get a reply if people don't know the answer or, like many people, you don't supply details. Things like "Won't start. What's wrong" won't get a response. Also, people who didn't bother to make any tests or observations, and people who are just looking for backup to lodge a complaint aren't likely to get any help. You provided lots of details, (thank you), but you can only expect a generic reply to get you started because these things seem to be unrelated. However, . . . you're in luck.

I repaired a lot of vehicles for this isssue when I worked at the dealership. The Body Computer likely has locked up due to a voltage spike. To reset it, just remove the negative battery cable for half a minute, then reconnect it. When things come back to life, there are two things to do. First, replace the Body Computer with one modified to not be affected by voltage spikes. Sorry I don't remember the part number, but just about any computer in the salvage yards will already be that upgraded part. Next, look in the fuse box by your left knee. There are up to a dozen small black relays in there, about an inch square. Replace any of them that have a part number that ends in "1001". This was a service bulletin that only applied to '92 models.

Those relays came from the supplier without sufficient spike damping built in. In paticular, power window and power lock relays are operated by the Body Computer. Between the relays with proper spike suppression, and a computer not affected by spikes, the problem should not occur again. Most of the vehicles I worked on for this had a history of the computer locking up every 5,000 miles. It's hard to believe this is the first time this has happened on your van based on the high mileage. If removing the battery cable doesn't help, the Body Computer may have just failed. First check all the fuses in the dash and under the hood. The Body Computer is located just to the right of the steering column. You must remove the knee blocker panel under the column, then unbolt the computer and slide it out toward the column.

One more thing to look for if it applies. On my '95 Caravan, there is a wire going up the left hood hinge arm to the under-hood light. When that wire was mispositioned, it rubbed through on the sharp edge of the inner fender causing the air bag fuse to blow. That fuse is in the box next to the hood hinge. I don't know if the '92 models had that same fuse box, but the symptoms were the same as you described.

caradiodoc

Randy, You are awesome! Your suggestion worked, just like you said it would. I am very impressed. I've only had the vehicle for 6 months so it hadn't happened to me before. Thank you so very much for your help. Equally impressive is the idea that the website was of genuine help. No come-on. No games. Just an honest effort by someone to help a stranger. That is so cool. I know it's not much but I'm more than happy to pay you the $5. How do I get it to you?

Someplace on these pages you'll see a "donate" button, but the donation is between you and the owners of the web site. They share with us later, and we appreciate it as a "thank you", not a requirement. Most of us are more interested fixing veeehikles.

What did you do to solve the problem? Did you find any of the relays I mentioned? If so, somehow your van got overlooked in the past and you should consider keeping an eye out for an updated body computer in the salvage yards. I went through 11 Pull-A-Part yards between Indiana and Georgia. They are all very clean and very well organized. Parts are very inexpensive there too. Any module, as I recall, is around 18 bucks.

Thanks for your confidence in us.

caradiodoc

Thank you again, Randy. As it turns out, your answer came on my 60th birthday last Friday. Thanks for the nice birthday present. I just paid the $5.00. Again, sorry it couldn't be more.
All I did so far was disconnect and reconnect the cable. I'll look around for those relays this weekend. I don't really have an extra $18 right now anyhow, so I'll just have to wait. When I'm able, I'll try those "Pull-A-Part" yards you mentioned. Thanks for the lead. Just so you know.....you taking the time to help me made me smile for days! Thanx alot.

We appreciate your donation and look forward to helping you in the future, Thank you.