[Manntis]

Just bought a 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan Sport, 3.3L V6 engine.

The previous owner had the struts changed and a front end alignment, both by a backyarder buddy of his, and according to him that's when the trouble started.

When I start the van, the PRND3L display outlines all selections as though every gear is engaged. It still shifts normally (well - except automatic up & down shifting... more on that in a sec), but one can't tell what gear one is in without counting notches while shifting.

The Brake, ABS, and Service Engine lights remain solidly illuminated.

The transmission is in limp mode and won't shift past 2nd gear. Driving the van home on the highway was a 5,400rpm treat.

The odometer doesn't gain a single KM, nor does the speedo register any movement.

I was told about the faulty speedo by the vendor, so I brought a replacement output speed sensor. Swapped the new OSS into the tranny, but no bueno.

I ran a cluster diagnostic and it came back with:

100.1 ABS Comm Fault
100.3 EATX Comm Fault
100.4 FCM Comm Fault
100.5 ORC Comm Fault
100.6 SBEC/DEC/MCM Comm Fault
400.1 Improper Power Down

Key cycle codes reveal p1684, p0500, p1698

I gather the 100.1 was from the chap working on the struts - he likely didn't reconnect an ABS sensor properly.

400.1 is from disconnecting the battery, yes? How does one clear that code?

Ideas on how to mend & clear the remaining comm faults would be greatly appreciated. Would a TCM ground fault trigger those other codes?

 

[ImperialCrown]

These are all communication bus faults and probably not related to any sensors. The 'bus' interconnects all the various modules so they can communicate information with one another.
The cluster doesn't know what gear you are in or how fast you are going, so all the boxes are lit and the speedo/odo are inop. The warning lights are lit and those modules are probably all storing 'no communication' fault codes themselves.
Diagnosis of the bus can get complicated. A voltmeter and wiring diagram would help. The twisted-pair bus is usually a white and a violet wire, possibly with a colored tracer stripe.
The 2.5 volt bus supply originates in the cluster and by unplugging other modules one at a time you may find which is pulling the bus down (if this is the issue). The bus is sensitive to moisture and corrosion knocking it down and taking the modules off-line. Broken cluster circuit board solder joints is another possible cause.

 

[Manntis]

I pulled the cluster to change a bulb, and when I replaced it all but the 100.3 EATX com and 400.1 batt disconnect codes were gone... but now there's a 100.0 loop back error as well.

Is this twisted pair bus within the pigtail that connects to the cluster? Is the bus located within the cluster?

Do '02s have pin mount soldering issues like the Gen IIIs do? I did open the cluster to check the soldering, but all appeared well.

 

[ImperialCrown]

If the solder joints appeared solid, then they are probably OK. The comm bus twisted-pair is in the connector to each computer module.
By unplugging and re-plugging connectors, you may have wiped some oxidation from the terminals and restored a connection. You might try unplugging and replugging the TCM connector to see if the TCM comm fault (100.3 and P1698) disappears.
The battery disconnect code (400.1 and P1684) will appear whenever a module is powered down unexpectedly, it can be ignored.
P0500 is the speed sensor code for the 3-speed automatic and shouldn't be there. Has this cluster been changed?
The loopback failure code may indicate a failed instrument cluster if the code is erased and returns. A last ditch attept at repair would be to reflow the solder joints and see if loopback returns.

Symptom:​

LOOPBACK FAILURE​

POSSIBLE CAUSES​

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER​

TEST ACTION APPLICABILITY​

1 Turn the ignition on.​

With the DRBrecord and erase DTC’s.​

Turn the ignition off, wait 15 seconds, then turn the ignition on.​

With the DRBread DTCs.​

Did the DTC reset?​

YesReplace the Instrument Cluster in accordance with the Service information.​

​

​

P1698-NO BUS MESSAGE FROM TRANS CONTROL MODULE​

Set Condition: No bus messages from the TCM for 20 seconds, two trips required.POSSIBLE CAUSES:​

​

INTERMITTENT CONDITION​

COMMUNICATE WITH TCM​

PCM​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

 

[Manntis]

as I said all the P codes, including the P1698, are gone save for the battery disconnect one. Now I just get the 100.0 loop back and 100.3 EATX comm errors. Not sure if that means bad bus or bad TCM though.

 

[Manntis]

no one knows?

 

[ImperialCrown]

If you still have the 100.3, I would treat it as a P1698 and diagnose it as the same: No comm with the EATX.
Could be cluster, PCM, TCM or the wiring.