Intermittent dash cluster BUS issue, can't figure it out
 

Hey guys, i've got a 2003 Ram 1500 Reg cab V6 Magnum etc i picked up used about 2 months ago with only 25,000 on it.

The truck's been running great, no real issues at all that weren't the dealers fault but yesterday i came across an issue that made me a little nervous.

It hit about 98 degrees yesterday, i did a lot of driving around (my mom was getting married). On the way to the hall, as i start going all of a sudden my gauges all just die. ODO, MPH, everything. Also, all the idiot lights went on. The A/C was blowing but only hot air and the radio still worked.

I pulled over, checked the fuses, started the car and nothing happened. Everything worked fine. I start driving again within 2 minutes all the gauges die again lights go on yadda yadda. So whatever, we take my girlfriends car to the place and leave mine at her place.

This morning, i drive home form her place in my truck (about 15-20 miles from her house) and all the gauges worked, no idiot lights, everything worked fine. I'm just worried this will happen again tomorrow when i need to go to work. Any ideas guys? It's not an ongoing thing, it comes and goes. My trucks still under warranty for another month or so so they should fix it, but wanted to see if it's something i can fix before tomorrow.

Thanks for any help guys. :icon_errrr::icon_errrr:

p.s. yes, i did search found a few similar issues but nothing that hellped with this though.

pull the gauge cluster out. there are 2 wire clusters that attach to the back of it. sounds like one of them is loose.

do i risk screwing anything up by pulling out the cluster (computer wise electronic wise etc)?? just wanna know before i mess something up

Not unless you wanna pay the dealer to try to fix it.

Congrats to your mom on marriage and congrats to you also for finding an 03 with 25k even is it is a v6

haha thank you, i already know what my next truxk will be, and it won't be a v6...it's my first, don't hate :icon_teeth:

well i brought it in, luckily it;s all under warranty. they said something about the cluster control...something or other had to be replaced and reprogrammed/adjusted to my car.

whatever the case it's getting fixed and i don't have to pay a dime so....:icon_couch: haha

Cool. Try to find out as much as you can and post all the info here so maybe it will help someone else out

welp, they installed a new cluster unit, everything was good for all of 20 miles, then BAM, **** happened again! Gauges drop, lights go on, truck still runs. This is ridiculous! i've had the car for 2 months and already i've had more issues than a i had with an '89 oldsmobile delta 88 that i ran into the ground!

I don't understand what could be the problem....and you'd think with their "factory trained technicians" they'd know wtf they were doing, or what the issue REALLY is right?

just a note to anyone in the NY area: Don't deal with Huntington Dodge, they'll screw you royally and list **** as "new" and "no problems" then when you do encounter problems, they rush the job just to shut you up and don't fix it. this will be over a week now i'll not have my truck.

really aggravated, less than 24 hours and it's back in the shop? come on now!

sorry, /end rant. any insight from people who KNOW what they're talking about? you guys all seem to know more than the mechanics over there...:icon_evil::icon_evil::icon_evil::icon_evi l:

sounds REALLY similar to what my durango was doing before i had to replace the PCM. it was doing what you were talking about for a while. then it started randomly dying on me, then it wouldnt start at all, and said "NO BUS" on the odometer. replaced the PCM, all was good.

funny you should mention that! i finally got home from work today and decided to give it a little key-dance.....here's what i found!

p1687 - No Cluster Bus Message
p1698 - No CCD Messages Received From PCM
-done-

HMMMMMM interesting, after i asked them to check the PCM when i dropped it off at the dealership.....HMMMMM looks like someone didn't want to cover a costly fix to me.....:icon_special:

so you think the PCM is the issue like i do?

i really do think its the PCM. if they wont replace it, you can get one, programmed to your truck and everything online for about $200. i dealt with solo auto pcms in the past. they were GREAT. called me within 1 hour of placing my order to confirm everything, and had it sent out that same afternoon. dealership wanted like $850 for the part alone.