Okay so this is strange. When I start my 2001 Dodge Grand Caravan 3.3 flex Fuel van up, the instrument panel has a square around each transmission letter (P,R,N,D,3,1). If I remember correctly the square light use to be only around the letter that the transmission was in. As I move the shift lever through each position eventually the transmission position I am in is the only one with a square around it. Is there a way to reset the instrument panel to correct this? If not any ideas on how to fix?
2001 Grand Caravan transmission display
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With the PRND3L all lit, the TCM should store a 'no shifter signal' fault code. It doesn't know what gear has been selected and may go into 'limp-in'.
This can also be a communications bus problem as the TCM and MIC (mechanical instrument cluster) communicate information between themselves and the other modules over a 2-wire 'twisted-pair'.
The next time all the boxes are lit in the gear selector, 'thump' the top of the dash and see if the selector returns to normal with one box selected.
This might indicate cracked solder joints on the back of the instrument cluster circuit board that need to be reflowed. Usually the connector and larger 'through-hole' pin solder joints were susceptible to fracturing.
This can also be a communications bus problem as the TCM and MIC (mechanical instrument cluster) communicate information between themselves and the other modules over a 2-wire 'twisted-pair'.
The next time all the boxes are lit in the gear selector, 'thump' the top of the dash and see if the selector returns to normal with one box selected.
This might indicate cracked solder joints on the back of the instrument cluster circuit board that need to be reflowed. Usually the connector and larger 'through-hole' pin solder joints were susceptible to fracturing.
OK so now all is right with the car. It seems to be highly intermittent. Can anybody tell me the way to reset the instrument cluster. I had to do that once before when my speedometer stopped working. I know that is not for my posted problem but I would like to know how just in case.
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I don't know about a reset, but there is a self-test mode:
The instrument clusters are equipped with a self diagnostic test feature to help identify electronic problems. Prior to any test, perform the Self-Diagnostic Test. The self diagnostic system displays instrument cluster stored fault codes in the odometer display, sweeps the gauges to the calibration points, and bulb checks the warning indicators. When the key is in the ON position with the engine not running, the MIL will remain illuminated for regulatory purposes.
To activate the Self-Diagnostic program:
With the ignition switch in the OFF position, depress the TRIP ODOMETER RESET button.
Continue to hold the TRIP ODOMETER RESET button until Sof and a number (software version number (i.e. Sof 3.2) appears in the odometer window (about five seconds), roll the ignition key to ON then release the button. If a fault code is present, the cluster will display it in the odometer display. When all fault codes have been displayed, the cluster will display “end” in the odometer display. Refer to the INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DTC'S table to determine what each trouble code means.
100.0 LOOP-BACK FAILURE
100.1 ABS COMMUNICATION FAULT
100.2 BCM COMMUNICATION FAULT
100.3 EATX COMMUNICATION FAULT
100.4 FCM COMMUNICATION FAULT
100.5 ORC COMMUNICATION FAULT
100.6 SBEC/DEC/MCM COMMUNICATION FAULT
200.0 AIRBAG LED SHORT
200.1 AIRBAG LED OPEN
200.2 ABS LED SHORT
200.3 ABS LED OPEN
200.6 EL INVERTER TIME-OUT
200.7 EATX MISMATCH
CALIBRATION TEST
The CLUSTER CALIBRATION table contains the proper calibration points for each gauge. If the gauge pointers are not calibrated, a problem exists in the cluster. If any gauge is out of calibration, replace the cluster.
CLUSTER CALIBRATION SPEEDOMETER CALIBRATION POINT
1 0 MPH (0 KM/H)
2 20 MPH (40 KM/H)
3 60 MPH (100 KM/H)
4 100 MPH (160 KM/H)
TACHOMETER
1 0 RPM
2 1000 RPM
3 3000 RPM
4 6000 RPM
FUEL GAUGE
1 EMPTY
2 1/4 FILLED
3 1/2 FILLED
4 FULL
TEMPERATURE GAUGE
1 COLD
2 1/4
3 3/4
4 HOT
ODOMETER SEGMENT TEST
If a segment in the odometer does not illuminate normally, a problem exists in the display.
ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION RANGE INDICATOR SEGMENT TEST
If a segment in the transmission range indicator does not illuminate normally, a problem exists in the display.
The instrument clusters are equipped with a self diagnostic test feature to help identify electronic problems. Prior to any test, perform the Self-Diagnostic Test. The self diagnostic system displays instrument cluster stored fault codes in the odometer display, sweeps the gauges to the calibration points, and bulb checks the warning indicators. When the key is in the ON position with the engine not running, the MIL will remain illuminated for regulatory purposes.
To activate the Self-Diagnostic program:
With the ignition switch in the OFF position, depress the TRIP ODOMETER RESET button.
Continue to hold the TRIP ODOMETER RESET button until Sof and a number (software version number (i.e. Sof 3.2) appears in the odometer window (about five seconds), roll the ignition key to ON then release the button. If a fault code is present, the cluster will display it in the odometer display. When all fault codes have been displayed, the cluster will display “end” in the odometer display. Refer to the INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DTC'S table to determine what each trouble code means.
100.0 LOOP-BACK FAILURE
100.1 ABS COMMUNICATION FAULT
100.2 BCM COMMUNICATION FAULT
100.3 EATX COMMUNICATION FAULT
100.4 FCM COMMUNICATION FAULT
100.5 ORC COMMUNICATION FAULT
100.6 SBEC/DEC/MCM COMMUNICATION FAULT
200.0 AIRBAG LED SHORT
200.1 AIRBAG LED OPEN
200.2 ABS LED SHORT
200.3 ABS LED OPEN
200.6 EL INVERTER TIME-OUT
200.7 EATX MISMATCH
CALIBRATION TEST
The CLUSTER CALIBRATION table contains the proper calibration points for each gauge. If the gauge pointers are not calibrated, a problem exists in the cluster. If any gauge is out of calibration, replace the cluster.
CLUSTER CALIBRATION SPEEDOMETER CALIBRATION POINT
1 0 MPH (0 KM/H)
2 20 MPH (40 KM/H)
3 60 MPH (100 KM/H)
4 100 MPH (160 KM/H)
TACHOMETER
1 0 RPM
2 1000 RPM
3 3000 RPM
4 6000 RPM
FUEL GAUGE
1 EMPTY
2 1/4 FILLED
3 1/2 FILLED
4 FULL
TEMPERATURE GAUGE
1 COLD
2 1/4
3 3/4
4 HOT
ODOMETER SEGMENT TEST
If a segment in the odometer does not illuminate normally, a problem exists in the display.
ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION RANGE INDICATOR SEGMENT TEST
If a segment in the transmission range indicator does not illuminate normally, a problem exists in the display.
So an update on my problem with lighted squares around each transmission indicator letter/number. It started doing it again on my 2001 Dodge Grand Caravan 3.3 but only after I started the car. Before starting and the key in the run position all was right. Start the car and all squares were lit. So I had what I thought was an unrelated issue. I had my aftermarket replacement starter go bad. Replaced it with another CarQuest ToughOne starter and after doing so the transmission display has been doing fine. My local transmission guy told me Chrysler electronics can be a little quirky. I also had my alternator affect the output sensor for the transmission. Replaced alternator problem was gone. Anyone else had a similar problem??
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