Went out to do some errands today and went to start my 98 12-valver and realized the gauges are NOT registering!

Meaning, all my "needle" gauges are to the left. All the idiot lights are working just fine. The fuses are all good as well.

When I turn the key to the ON position, the needle gauges WILL move a tiny amount to the right. Maybe 1/8" at the most. The Brake light and the Seat belt minder stay LITE up as well.

Also, the odometer #s are flashing and the odometer does NOT rack up mileage as I'm driving.

What do I need to be checking out ???

 

Had the local parts store check for Error codes using the handheld code scanner. It showed the PCM as "Not Connected"

Also, the alternator is showing NO output whatsoever (on a external alt/battery machine).

What's going on with this ??

 

Anybody ????

 

Check the plugs on the ECM. Make sure they are pluged in and have no bent pins.

 

I had this too kind of the other night driving some idiot lights dinged and went on. Then i lost gauges and odometer but other function was correct. pulled over and it went ok again, maybe wiggle connections under the dash or at the ECM???
TNutcher

 

had same problem with mine- drivin along oil pressure switch drops to 0, had to get it towed.. found out it was a loose wire! **** thing cost me 100 bucks!

 

I did all that. Checked wiring connections, cleaned battery terminals, reset the ECM, redid all the grounds (I could find).

I'm thinking it's an internal problem with the cluster itself.

Any other ideas before I buy a new (used) instrument cluster ???

 

I wouldn't change the instrument cluster. What are the odds of them all failing at the same time? Must be a connection or short somewhere. See if you can test the old one. How do the needles move? Voltage change?

 

I would PM infidel. bill seems to know the early truck better than dodge.

 

ERIC:

PM me with your e-mail address and I'll see if I can come up with something to help.

Dan

 

My bet is a poor connection to the gauge cluster.
Cluster is very easy to remove, four screws at the ash tray and cup holder then the rest pops off. Couple more screws at the cluster itself.
The cluster has fixed connectors, the unit itself just plugs in with an additional ground wire.
My bet is this ground is bad.

 

Try this to check your gauges out. Get in, put the key in the ignition, hold the trip reset in, turn the key to the run, not start position and hold until the gauges move. If your gauges are good the cluster will run through a self diagnostic and your odo will readout any problems.

 

hi there i know its one of my first posts, but i've been reading here long time now and we had the same problem with our 98 12 valve just that ours was an automatic and it didnt shift right. bought a new ecm replaced it and still didnt work, so finally we found out it was the rpm sensor. you might want to try that, seems like the 98 have a problem with that.

 

You mean the engine speed sensor near the crank dampner ?