Instrument cluster gauges suddenly stopped working?

Tiny
MSTIRL
  • MEMBER
  • 2000 DODGE DAKOTA
  • 96,000 MILES
The gauges won't work and when you turn the truck of it does a quick surge of the engine. It is a 3.9 4x4.
Do you
have the same problem?
Yes
No
Sunday, October 16th, 2011 AT 1:57 AM

31 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,005 POSTS
Check body grounds, check the wiring to the inst cluster, and check the body control module (BCM) lets check the gauges fuse as well. This guide will help with the fuse locations in the diagrams below. Example, check fuse 11, this supplies dash with power.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-fuse

Check out the diagrams (Below). Please run this test and get back to us.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+4
Sunday, October 16th, 2011 AT 2:15 AM
Tiny
SJUDICE
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
  • 1998 DODGE DAKOTA
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 105 MILES
The dash instruments and all warning lights went out, but all the fuses seem OK. This includes the spedometer, odometer (LED), fuel, tach, charge, idiot lights. But not the dash illuminating light, or the dash light that comes on when you turn on the headlights. I cant seem to pin down the problem, and before ordering lots of stuff (Like BCM) I would really like to see if I can definitively narrow it down. All other electrical things seem to work, but the right blinker blinks fast even though the both front and rear bulbs are OK. All other things in the car seem fine; even the lighter, internal lights, radio, fan, etc. It JUST seems to be the dash. Anyone have any thoughts? Thanks!
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+14
Friday, May 17th, 2019 AT 7:00 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,005 POSTS
Check fuse 11, this supplies dash with power.

Let me know what you find.

Joe
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, May 17th, 2019 AT 7:00 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SJUDICE
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Thanks Joe,

Having someone else check the BCM will cost more than just getting a new one on Ebay. So, would that be the way to go? I could figure out how to change it out myself.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
-1
Friday, May 17th, 2019 AT 7:00 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,005 POSTS
That is where I would start, but I don't like replacing parts without knowing they are bad. I would hate to have you replace it and still have a problem.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, May 17th, 2019 AT 7:00 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SJUDICE
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
How would one check it to see if it were still good without taking it to the dealer. There does not seem to be a cheaper alternative; but I am sure that Im missing some important piece of information. Thanks.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, May 17th, 2019 AT 7:00 PM (Merged)
Tiny
2CP-ARCHIVES
  • MEMBER
  • 4,544 POSTS
  • 1998 DODGE DAKOTA
  • 57,000 MILES
The instrument cluster does not work, the fuel, water temp, nothing I have checked the cluster fuses and they are okay. Any suggestions?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+10
Friday, May 17th, 2019 AT 7:00 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,005 POSTS
It sounds like the cluster is bad here is the job being done on a similar car with instruction in he images below to show you how on your car.

https://youtu.be/_HEC44xENxw

Check out the images (Below). Please let us know what you find. We are interested to see what it is.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, May 17th, 2019 AT 7:00 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
Did you check for voltage, anywhere? Even if the fuses are good, you still need to check voltage at the fuse circuit. Any applicable trouble codes?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+2
Friday, May 17th, 2019 AT 7:00 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SJUDICE
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
I dont suppose that you know where exactly this thing is? From what I can gather, it is behind the fuse box on the driver side kick panel, and also goes by the name CTM (central timing module) and possibly ECM (but Im not too sure about this one).
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, May 17th, 2019 AT 7:00 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
Just to add, the instrument panel serves as the command center for vehicle.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+2
Friday, May 17th, 2019 AT 7:00 PM (Merged)
Tiny
NAZNOMAD
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2000 DODGE DAKOTA
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 100,000 MILES
Intermittantly (happened twice so far) once during the day, and once at night. The Check Gauges light came on and I got the chime warning, and I noticed the battery gauge needle had gone up to 18, all the way over to the right. When I stopped the truck and turned off the engine and restarted, it went away. Second time it happened was at night and I noticed that the interior lights, gauge lights and headlights were all slightly flickery. Driving was not affected either time it happened. Any ideas what could cause this?
Thanks !
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 6:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
18volts is too high sounds like the voltage regulator is not controlling the alternator output. Have the charging system checked out-
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+2
Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 6:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DONNA_LASLEY
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2001 DODGE DAKOTA
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 190,000 MILES
What do I look for when the check gauges light comes on the voltage gauge goes minus and is not in the middle, truck is still running
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 6:17 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,005 POSTS
If the volt gauge is low, that is why the light is on. Chances are the alternator is bad. Take the truck to a nationally recognized parts store and have them check alt output. Most will do it for free.

Let me know what you find.

Joe
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+4
Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 6:17 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MICHAEL320
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 1999 DODGE DAKOTA
Electrical problem
1999 Dodge Dakota 6 cyl Two Wheel Drive Automatic

I have a 99 Dakota 2x4 that was running fine, until it was hit in the drivers fender. All the wiring looks good, and nothing other than the fender and bumper look to be dammaged.
The problem is when the ignition key is inserted the light indicators illuminate on the dash, which is normal, but after the vehicle starts they stay on. The analog gauges dont appear to work ( batt, fuel, temp. Etc) they are all off to the left. Any clue as to where to start troubleshooting? Would this show up w/ a code scanner? Thanx in advance. Mike
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 6:17 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,005 POSTS
Chances are a scanner will not show these problems. I need you to start by checking for body grounds that have been damaged, loose, or broken.

Let me know what you find.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 6:17 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MICHAEL320
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
K. I do remember a ground not connected now that you mention it. Maybe thats it. I'll keep you posted. Any way to find a under hood photo of this truck? There are some things not connected. Ie this small canister that looks to have connections on it for hoses. Kinda looks like the old oil bath air cleaners, in shape, but smaller and of course plastic.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 6:17 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,005 POSTS
That sounds like the EVAP canister. Is it in the inner fender area on the passanger side?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 6:17 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MICHAEL320
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Well. Maybe. The damage was to the driver side so I'm more inclined to think it came from that side. I'd like to have under hood pic of this truck, so I can put things back where they belong. Thanx again. And I'll be back.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 6:17 PM (Merged)

Please login or register to post a reply.

Sponsored links