Yeah, it's acting up all the time, all right. I just got a call from the dealership; they killed my batteries. The mechanic has my dash torn apart right now, and is "pin-testing" all the wires. They told me the PCM was in good shape, so I'm happy about that. Still no word on the guage cluster, though.

I kinda hate to say this, but I do derive some small satisfaction from the fact that it's taking over a week for a certified Dodge mechanic to figure out what's wrong. It makes me feel a little bit better about myself.

So far, this has only cost me the price of two new batteries (about $175), and the $80 diagnostic fee. They also found two recalls that I didn't know about ... one for the throttle linkage (fixed for free) and one unspecified wiring problem (also fixed for free).

 

LAST UPDATE:

Turns out the cluster/pod was toasted. All told, this is going to cost me $1465. The cluster itself is $900!!!!!!! I can build a SCREAMING computer for less than $800. So how come a computer in a vehicle that does less than 1% of what my home PC does costs over $100 more?????

At any rate, just thought I'd let y'all know. If you see a message in your trip/odo window that says "No Buss" ... well, yer guage cluster is toast.

 

Just because your cluster says "no bus" does NOT mean the cluster is always the prob. A problem in any componant that utilizes the bus can cause this.

 

True, true. Guess I'm just really frustrated at this point. Oh, well. I just want my truck back in working order.

 

I can relate. I hate seeing trucks come in with that problem. It can be a real biotch to diag.

 

FINAL REPORT:

AT LAST!! My baby has returned to me!

First, the guage cluster was, indeed, toasted. I wasn't able to talk directly to the mechanic, but the service rep said the mech mentioned something about a burned connection on the pod-side of the bus.

Second, my stereo head unit powers up just fine, but the amps get no power right now. That's not that big of a deal to me. The power supply to the primary amp has always been a little on the flaky side. I'll probably re-do all the wiring in the stereo this weekend. The previous owners did a real hack job of installing the stereo system. I could have re-done it earlier, but it was working, and "if it ain't broke, don't fix it!"

Third, got two recall items repaired, for free of course. There was an issue with the throttle cable linkage, and faulty wiring on the fuel heater. I think the fuel heater wiring may have been responsible for the gauge cluster. Maybe.

Fourth, when they got the new cluster installed, the "check engine" light came on. Great. Turns out, it was a faulty engine speed sensor. Joy. If that failed, and a small surge went through the system, that, too, could have fried the cluster.

Since I'm not the one who did the work, I can't say for sure. I just hope the beast holds together now. I think it should do just fine. (knocks on wood, burns incense, says prayers, crosses fingers ... )

 

Did your truck start after vp replacement my buddy just did that on his 01 and can't get it to start and no gauges but will crank all day