can you explain what each code means or point me in a direction?

 

Basically they are telling you that it isn't receiving the data that it expects.... Those codes come up even when everything is working properly on a cluster test. You need engine codes, if there are any. (the key trick *should* work for those. (cycle the key on, off, on, off, on, don't start it, leave it on the third "on", and the Check Engine light should blink codes at you. First should be one flash, pause, two flashes. (code 12) anything after that is what you are interested in. Keep in mind, not every problem will set a code..... the PCM may be getting bad data, but, it has no way of knowing that it IS bad data..... Those are the fun ones, and pretty much require a decent scanner.

 

is the PCM different than the engine control module? Because I did replace the engine control module however I am not certain regarding what the PCM is and where exactly it is located

 

These are confirming that there is no communication from the PCM. If there is no "no bus" message the cluster deems the CCD bus working. What is the story with the "rebuilt" PCM ? Do you still have the original at hand ? Or another 1998 V8 PCM ?

PCM = powertrain control module, the one on the passenger side firewall.

 

PCM, ECM, computer, all the same thing. That funny box on the passenger fender well.

I don't think that is related though, as EVERYTHING communicates on the same bus.... if it were a PCM problem, the engine simply wouldn't start. It is most likely just a poor connection at the back of the cluster.

 

I'm not saying it'll fix your issue but it's easy and free. If anything changes after unplugging and reseating the cluster, you're on to something.

NOW, if nothing improves it doesn't necessarily mean all those connections are rock solid. I'd probably then fully pull the cluster and take a look at each pin/receptacle.

Your problem may be elsewhere-- I'd simply submit this is not an unreasonable first step in troubleshooting.

Also, it's almost surely NOT best practice to pull and re-insert the cluster under power. I was willing to take the risk, and it worked out for me in that nothing was damaged. I could have also removed the battery negative to render the truck "dead" but still have the key on and shifter pulled down to 1 (for clearance). A bonus here is the obnoxious dinger would be silent

 

Also, when this '00 was acting up I'd get a CEL (along with zero gauges working), but my scan tool could communicate and there were no codes.

The presence of a CEL but absence of codes led me to further suspect it was a cluster connection issue. Turns out I was right, but I could have just as easily been wrong

 

I was checking the connections between ground and two particular wires on the OBD connector. I was getting 2.55 V on both the white and black wires as well as the velvet and brown wires. To my knowledge, these both correspond with the PCM and there is no overvoltage. I tried to swap out my gauge cluster with one from a 2002 3500 ram that happened to run on a V8 and I was able to properly install them however.
now I see a no BUS

with the new gauges installed

 

The comm bus is like a mini computer network in the truck. If there is voltage there, then it is *probably* working. Is this a different cluster???

 

The wires in the OBD2 port are indeed the CCD bus connections. The voltages are about right, literature says 2.51V and 2.49V but I wouldn't be too picky. The voltages are bias voltages and the actual data bits change the voltage difference but that can't be measured with a simple voltmeter.
You might be able to figure out if the bus works with a "shop level" diag tool that can talk on the CCD bus.