instrument lights

1997 DODGE CARAVAN
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JEFF MURRAY
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The instrument lights, including switch illumination ( temp, ac controls etc) do not work. I have checked bulbs and fuses including the 10 amp fuse in the relay panel. I have replaced the instrument panel and gauges, tried a different headlight and dimmer switch with no luck. I have power to the fuse on the interior fuse block ( panel illumination fuse). I also changed the BCM. All other lights work, courtesy lights, interior lights, all warning lights, turn signal indicators. The dimmer switch turns on the interior lights but does not affect the dimming on the mileage, transmission indicator, or digital readout for the compass and mileage computer in the overhead display( they do illuminate). Can you please give me some sort of direction to pursue in tracking this problem down. Thank you very much for your time and expertise.
May 9, 2010 at 7:41 PM
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INTERNETMECHANIC
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Did you use a voltage tester and check for voltage and ground? Orange wire from bcm, carries voltage for instrument cluster. At the instrument wiring, orange wire is voltage, terminal 6, for instrument cluster. Terminal 13 is black wire, ground. I'm not sure if new bcm has to be programmed?
May 10, 2010 at 11:12 AM
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JEFF MURRAY
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I checked the plug on the instrument panel. There is no voltage to the orange. Black does ground good. I traced the orange back to the headlight switch. It has continuity but no voltage from switch to orange. I can not check the orange on the bcm as it plugs into the back of the fuse panel. The dealer here had the car and said the bcm is good and didnt need programing. Is there another test I can do or is there a way to jump the orange wire to power. I wouldnt mind if the lights are on constantly.
May 10, 2010 at 1:19 PM
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INTERNETMECHANIC
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I found this wiring info. I'd have to check voltage to and from bcm, maybe a problem with the wiring circuit? Check the light drivers voltage output.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-wiring

Check out the diagrams (Below). Please let us know what happens.

Cheers
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May 10, 2010 at 2:02 PM
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INTERNETMECHANIC
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Another thought, if the dash lites only come on with the headlite switch, the headlamp switch controls ground. The bcm has to receive a sense signal, that the headlamp switch is turned on, or the daslites may not work? I've looked at so many wiring diagrams today, they are all starting to run together.lol
May 10, 2010 at 3:50 PM
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JEFF MURRAY
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If I was sure the orange wire controlled the dash lights and took 12v I'd hard wire it up but as finicky as the electronics are in this van I'm afraid to burn something out. Is there any way to test the panel lights with a hot wire?
May 10, 2010 at 4:15 PM
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INTERNETMECHANIC
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Are you sure the interior lites dimmer, isn't turned all the way down? The info below is headlamp terminal pin tests, should be 12 pin connector. Yesterday, I found some info on MOD that said the orange wire should have voltage. I'm trying to find again, to verify. I look at so much info, right now I can't remember where I found it? I can't help you hot-wire anything, against forum rules. I'll keep looking.


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/512072_grand_caravan_headlamp_switch_terminal_test_1.jpg

Also, instrument cluster self diagnostics, below, don't know if it will help?


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/512072_instrument_cluster_self_diagnostics_1.jpg

May 11, 2010 at 10:27 AM
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JEFF MURRAY
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I ran the test on the panel. It gave me a 999 code. No problems there. I tried plugging in another headlamp and dimmer switch and that didnt work either. Pretty frustrating for such a small issue. So I tried another BCM and that worked the one I got must have been defective? anyway all fixed thanks for your help, I love this site.
May 11, 2010 at 12:15 PM
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INTERNETMECHANIC
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Glad you could get it fixed, that kind of problem can be tough. Please use 2CarPros anytime we are here to help

Cheers
May 14, 2010 at 8:34 PM