[5th Gen : 08+]: Erratic L/100 fuel reporting
#1
06-11-2019, 10:04 PM
Join Date: Jul 2014
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Erratic L/100 fuel reporting
2015 3.6 Grand Caravan 58,000km
Just started this morning, erratic fuel liters per hundred kilometers being reported. Sometimes in the 3 digit range, then bounces back down to normal, then bounces back up to double digit or triple digit. Pressing reset sometimes reports correctly, sometimes reports continue to erratic fuel usage.
Vehicle is performing as usual, no apparent malfunctions, running smoothly.
Just started this morning, erratic fuel liters per hundred kilometers being reported. Sometimes in the 3 digit range, then bounces back down to normal, then bounces back up to double digit or triple digit. Pressing reset sometimes reports correctly, sometimes reports continue to erratic fuel usage.
Vehicle is performing as usual, no apparent malfunctions, running smoothly.
#2
06-12-2019, 08:45 PM
Are you sure you’re not viewing the “Instant” setting on the fuel economy? Most vehicles will display an average, but some will also provide an instant display as well that changes in response to throttle usage. Fuel economy will appear to skyrocket when coasting at highway speeds and then drop quickly when the gas pedal is pressed again.
#3
06-13-2019, 08:37 AM
Join Date: Jul 2014
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This erratic display only began after a brief rain shower where the driver's armrest and part of the steering wheel received some of the rain. Wiped everything off with a dry cloth immediately. For the past three years, the litres per a hundred kilometers display has been uniform and stable.
A couple of years ago I had an incident with a rain shower, and the driver's armrest window switches were wet. Could not roll window up or down. Had to take the switch assembly apart and dry out the components. Suspect this L/100 erratic operation is due to wet reset/step buttons internal contacts, because before the rain shower the L/100 display was stable and predictable depending on throttle depression. Now it can jump to double or triple digits when the throttle is backed off. It never did this before.
A couple of years ago I had an incident with a rain shower, and the driver's armrest window switches were wet. Could not roll window up or down. Had to take the switch assembly apart and dry out the components. Suspect this L/100 erratic operation is due to wet reset/step buttons internal contacts, because before the rain shower the L/100 display was stable and predictable depending on throttle depression. Now it can jump to double or triple digits when the throttle is backed off. It never did this before.
Last edited by htitman; 06-13-2019 at 09:10 AM.
#4
06-13-2019, 10:09 AM
In that case, you’re probably not wrong about water intrusion being the cause.
If you’re comfortable doing so, you can try removing and opening the instrument cluster to clean and dry it. Use electronic contact cleaner (MAF sensor cleaner is basically the same thing) and a can of keyboard duster. Sparingly spray the cleaner and immediately follow with the duster - don’t allow the cleaner to sit for more than a few seconds.
Make sure to disconnect the negative battery cable while doing so.
Your other option would be to send the cluster in for repair - you’ll have to do a search for that type of thing in your area to get cost and how long it takes. You could also find a local independent shop for a contact - we have a place we send them and usually get them back within a week.
If you’re comfortable doing so, you can try removing and opening the instrument cluster to clean and dry it. Use electronic contact cleaner (MAF sensor cleaner is basically the same thing) and a can of keyboard duster. Sparingly spray the cleaner and immediately follow with the duster - don’t allow the cleaner to sit for more than a few seconds.
Make sure to disconnect the negative battery cable while doing so.
Your other option would be to send the cluster in for repair - you’ll have to do a search for that type of thing in your area to get cost and how long it takes. You could also find a local independent shop for a contact - we have a place we send them and usually get them back within a week.