ok, first off this is something I did and am trying to figure out the issue..

First thing I did was install a "bulldog" brand door lock unit on the top of the dash (under the dash cover). I actually had to rewire the passenger door to make it work for some odd reason. It worked for about 3 years with no problem. But due to leaving the sunroof and or windows open I had gotten water and dew in my car on more than a couple of occasions (no need to lecture I learned my lesson). The problem is I was in another state when the car started acting weird. There was a burnt electrical smell any time I ran my can and an issue with what seemed like the tranny. When I would be driving and take me foot off the gas it feel as though the transmission was braking somehow.. almost like the park brake was partially on. When I was able to stop at my brothers house I ripped off the top of the dash and found that the control module I installed for the door locks had corrosion on it. I removed it and drove back home (350 miles away). The PCM eventually started to smoke any time the temp was over 80 degrees. I replaced it and everything was great.. for about 3 or 4 days when the PCM started to smoke again.

oh yea.. I forgot.. a few days prior to the initial problems my dash illuminations lights went oout. All the other lights function and the gauges work fine. I took the gauge assembly out today and took it apart but found no damage. there were a few tiny tiny spots of corrosion, but nothing that would cause an issue. I was hoping the problem was with the gauge assembly so it would be an easy fix. I don't think it would help to get a code reading without a new pcm since it is burnt out right now. I want to head to the junk yard and get another new pcb, headlight/dome light switch and new gauge assembly in hopes it fixes the problem, but I am in doubt now.. any ideas? I really don't want to replace the whole wiring harness and all the electronic modules in the car as I could use the money to fix other parts of the car...

 

Where talking about the computer in the engine bay right? So the computer itself was burning inside? Does the illum dash and what not even go through the computer? I didnt think it did. I would suggest a a big short causing this, maybe a bad ECU. But it sounds like you have more then one problem now. You will need to pick up some wiring diagrams and get busy with a multimeter. PM me your email and the vin, I could use the work computer to send them if you cant find them sooner.

 

I don't think think the lights caused the PCM to burn, I think the control module that are hooked up to various things cause it.. I'm trying to remember off the top of my head what it all attached to.. all the lights (including the dash, interior and running lights, the power door locks, and the horn (which I never hooked up). So I think it caused a short in something else which caused the short in the PCM. I'm just looking for ideas and since the only thing that I had a problem with prior to the PCM was the dash Illum lights I was hoping that someone might know what controls them to the point it could cause the PCM to short out. I have the Hayes manual to my car so that should have the what I need for finding wiring diagrams but I really don't think it's a wire.. I think it's some kind of module or relay of some sort. Only thing I can think of is going to the junk yard and pulling out ever kind of relay or control unit in the whole car and replacing them.. otherwise I think it would be a lot faster to simply replace the whole wiring harness and everything attached to it. I don't think the PCM has cause any other damage as everything else seems to work fine so I might be lucky enough if I can find whatever is causing the illum lights to not work and swapping it and the PCM out for a new one should fix everything back to normal. When I replaced the PCM after the first one burnt up everything worked fine (except for the illum lights) for a while until the short caused the new PCM to burn up. So I think the problem is isolated, just need to figure out a way to find out what it is that is causing the short in the PCM. Anyone have any ideas?

 

You can use a wiring diagram your doing more then testing wires, your testing the complete circuit including relays, modules, fuses, switches, and anything else in the circuit. Did you check the bulbs on the cluster?

 

yes, as I said above, I tore the whole instrument cluster apart down to the circuit board and the bulbs (along with the board) are fine. Just went to Autozone earlier and had a diagnostic scan done.. it came back with no codes.

 

Uhg. The illum dash lights is on the same circuit as the follow:
Head light switch
Radio
Fuse 2
Fuse12
Remote keyless entry
Fog lamp switch
Rear window defogger
a/c heater control switch

No the PCM obviously not in the circuit, it gets its juice from the PDC... The headlight switch is the first thing in line after fuse #2 15A. Get out the multimeter, the wiring diagrams and get busy.

 

Here are some HD photos of the wiring diagrams. Click the link and scroll through the 5 photos. Save each one on your computer then you can zoom in on your computer. You may be able to zoom in from photobucket I am not sure. Sorry no scanner.

http://i756.photobucket.com/albums/x...a/DSC03425.jpg
http://i756.photobucket.com/albums/x...a/DSC03424.jpg
http://i756.photobucket.com/albums/x...a/DSC03423.jpg
http://i756.photobucket.com/albums/x...a/DSC03422.jpg
http://i756.photobucket.com/albums/x...a/DSC03421.jpg