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bdholsin
Dodge Dakota
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6/18/2003
07:35:30
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 Subject: Dead Cluster
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Message:
My instrument cluster gages and illumination are dead. The speedo, tach, oil pressure, fuel, battery and temperature gages are not working. The backlighting is not working either. However, my idiot lights still work when I start the vehicle. I can see the red BRAKE light and other lights that illuminate for a few seconds on start-up. Nothing has been done to the interior of the vehicle lately. I did replace the compressor Monday night and had the polarity of the reman compressor reversed. It came with a non-factory wiring connector and I had to splice the wires. Anyone have any ideas. This is a '97 3.9L Dakota Sport, A/T, 4x4.
Thanks.
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Lemmon714
Dodge Dakota
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6/18/2003
12:40:44
| RE: Dead Cluster
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Message:
I have a 96 with 3.9. I had a dead cluster issue that started when I would turn the headlights on after the truck was warm. I went to the parts counter and the replacement headlight switch was updated 3-4 times since the truck was new. I remember the original switch was aluminum rivets and tangs, the new part was brass. After the new one was installed I had no more cluster problems. I am not sure if this will help.
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bdholsin
Dodge Dakota
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6/18/2003
13:05:02
| RE: Dead Cluster
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Message:
I'll give that a try. How much can a headlight switch cost afterall. Thanks!
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bdholsin
Dodge Dakota
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6/19/2003
10:03:17
| RE: Dead Cluster
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Message:
I replaced the headlamp switch as suggested by Lemmon714 with no improvement. The gages are still all dead. Does anyone know if there is an in-line fuse running from the fuse panel (otherwise know as the junction block) to the ignition switch which runs to the cluster? I'm at my wits end. I pulled the cluster last night and looked, smelled and looked some more for evidence of something shorting out. Nothing looks or smells wrong.
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whitedakota2
Dodge Dakota
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6/19/2003
12:06:47
| RE: Dead Cluster
IP: Logged
Message:
Check this TSB article
http://www.speedtweaks.ca/tipsandtricks.php#G202
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bdholsin
Dodge Dakota
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6/19/2003
12:11:06
| RE: Dead Cluster
IP: Logged
Message:
Thanks whitedakota2. I had been focusing on the driver side IP ground and didn't even think to check the passenger side IP ground. I'll give it a go and see what happens. Your input is greatly appreciated!!!!
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Plow Dak
Dodge Dakota
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6/19/2003
21:19:08
|  RE: Dead Cluster
IP: Logged
Message:
Unhook the battery for a few min. Let the cluster go to sleep. See if it wakes up again. They do go nuts once in a while. If nothing was done to the vehicle and it just happened on start up give it a try..:)
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bdholsin
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
6/23/2003
15:44:56
| RE: Dead Cluster
IP: Logged
Message:
The cluster is now working again. I had to take it to the shop that worked to replace my evaporator about a month ago and they diagnosed and found a broken wire. It was most likely caused when they rolled the IP to access the HVAC unit to extract the old evaporator. They must have pinched and/severed a wire to the cluster. I'm back in business. Next fix...new compressor. Thats a whole different story.
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