posible intermitant BCM problem

[NW4wheeler]

So last night on my way back home from whitepass my gauge cluster shut down just for an instant. It was like I turned the ignition off and on. The rest of the lights stayed on as well as did the high beams and radio. Then the other night the all the green instrument lights including radio,gauges and window switches dimed quickly then returned to normal. There are no dtc's. And if it is the bcm how can that be checked.
Thanks in advance, Steven

 

[NW4wheeler]

Sorry its an 04 renegade

 

[kb0nly]

Hmmm... Not sure on the gauge cluster shutting down and coming back on, but the dash light problem could be due to the fairly common Multi Function Switch, the stalks with the switches for everything on the steering column... It has been known to cause weird lighting problems.

As for the entire cluster shutting down and coming back on, something loose maybe? I don't know if these are the same as some other Chrysler products where the cluster pushes onto a connector mounted to the dash but i have dealt with that before on the Neon we used to have. I took that apart 2-3 times to tighten screws to get that connection to hold, finally ended up adding some loctite to the screws, which was an extreme repair i wouldn't recommend because its going to be a pain if that cluster ever needs removal, but it fixed the problem of the loose fasteners forever.

 

[Ry' N Jen]

Hmmm... Not sure on the gauge cluster shutting down and coming back on, but the dash light problem could be due to the fairly common Multi Function Switch, the stalks with the switches for everything on the steering column... It has been known to cause weird lighting problems.

As for the entire cluster shutting down and coming back on, something loose maybe? I don't know if these are the same as some other Chrysler products where the cluster pushes onto a connector mounted to the dash but i have dealt with that before on the Neon we used to have. I took that apart 2-3 times to tighten screws to get that connection to hold, finally ended up adding some loctite to the screws, which was an extreme repair i wouldn't recommend because its going to be a pain if that cluster ever needs removal, but it fixed the problem of the loose fasteners forever.

I had a 1995 Neon.
Total LEMON!

 

[NW4wheeler]

You could be right that its two different problems. I'll check the contacts on the back of The cluster and see if there is a problem there.

 

[kb0nly]

I had a 1995 Neon.
Total LEMON!

Yep, ours was a 1995 also... God that thing was a LEMON... We had to replace radiator, cooling fans, the relays twice, the EVAP purge solenoid clicked so loud it sounded like the motor was knocking, the camshaft position sensor leaked oil and they revised the seal for it three times (i finally got it to quit with a new seal and a healthy dose of RTV), the exhaust manifold leaked, the everyday electrical problems would drive you friggin insane...

But the best one of all?? The car was made in two different plants, and when i had to replace the radiator i found out you had to know if your car was made in Mexico or the US. They called the radiator i needed the Import Neon.. WTF? So its made in Mexico by DC, why it that an import? So what if you bought the wrong rad? Well the rad would fit but the mounting points for the electric fans are different so you needed new fans if you wanted to use the other rad... GRRRRR.... I finally found the right rad after three tries, then a year later one of the fans died anyway.

I can go on and on about that car.... Anyway back to the original topic, sorry had to vent....

 

[kb0nly]

You could be right that its two different problems. I'll check the contacts on the back of The cluster and see if there is a problem there.

Yeah i think you might have a combination of a couple problems. I would start checking connections!

Has it done it anymore since?

 

[NW4wheeler]

Well I don't think its the connections. Another possibleity could have been the extreme cold 3 degrees to be exact. It's started when me and by friend went hiking we parked the jeep around 4000 feet when the snow got to deep to drive and hiked for maybe 3 hours came back and drove some lower trails and went home. Could the cold do that?

 

[ridenby]

Have you checked the battery? A fading battery can cause all sorts of weird things to happen.

 

[kb0nly]

X2... Check the battery or have it tested, battery causes all sorts of electrical weirdness on the KJ, for some reason everything is a bit more voltage sensitive.