Dashboard Failed problems of the 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan

I purchased my 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan from a private party in 2009, and shortly after the gauge cluster stopped functioning while I was driving. Check engine and abs lights came on which on checking with my mechanic said my abs system is non-functional as is all other instrument related readings. A short time later, the panel came back on and worked for awhile than shut off again. Someone said hit the panel face and the gauges should come back on. I did and it did. For awhile. Over time the gauge failure interval grew shorter and shorter, and hitting the panel finally failed to return the use of the gauges. To replace this gauge cluster is an $800. 00 plus repair in a shop with a rebuild panel costing over $200. 00 by itself. I don't want to know what a dealer will charge. Upon further investigation, I have learned the gauge failure culprit is cold solder joints on the back side of the circuit board of the gauge cluster and is an all too common problem with this class of vehicle. This deficiency can easily be avoided by better quality control from the manufacturer.

This is actually my mother's van and a van that I had previously owned. It seems that these vehicles seem to have a problem with the security system not disarming as you try to enter the vehicle. You can unlock the doors from the outside, but as soon as you get in the vehicle and try to start it, it immediately shuts back down as a security precaution. A simple smack on the dash cures it right up, but being as how it's my mother's van now; she doesn't have the strength to simply "smack" the dash and get everything working again. It seems as though, this is not the only known issue. I have read about it through several different people and have experienced it myself on two separate vans. I honestly believe that daimler/Chrysler should address this issue and not have the consumer fix it, seeing as how it is and issue that's buried in the dashboard and not out in plain sight, like some mechanical issues. They fixed the problem with the clock spring in the steering wheel, because it could set off the airbag at any given moment. Well, with me having to smack the dash several different times, her speedometer is off by 50 mph now. I am hoping for a recall notice on this issue, due to the fact that one more good whack could set off the airbag and really injury somebody. Thank you.

The gauge cluster on out 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan is faulty. We cannot tell how fast we are going, what gear the car is in,etc. It is a very dangerous problem that the manufacturer should be made to fix!.

1. Wipers turns on automatically - usually when a turn signal is on. 2. Service engine light turns on frequently with p1698 code and no other pending code. Present interval at an average of a week. Dealer cannot find the root of the problem. Found out this incident is very common as discussed in several chatrooms. Incident usually starts with abs light on then instrument cluster dies, followed by airbag light then the service engine light. At incident, power door locks does not work. At incident, sometimes abs and airbag light will turn off after s short drive then the instrument panel will work. 3. Rear interior lights remain lit even when dash switch is off and no door ajar. Sometimes a single interior light turns on when starting engine and remain lit.