Gauges on instrument panel of 1993 dodge caravan intermittantly inoperative but lights on

See the YouTube video on how to repair broken solder joints on your instrument cluster connector. This takes about an hour and solves a number of intermittent problems. I think it may be under "no start" problems.

Pull the instrument cluster out of the dash check all the connectors to it for loose pins and also take a look at the printed circuit on the back of the panel, look for any obvious problems. More than likely just pulling the connectors and reinserting them several times may cure this problem.

There is likely a bad electrical connection at the back of the instrument panel. Remove the instrument panel, unplug the connectors, clean the contacts on the plugs and the panel with rubbing alcohol and q tip, and reinstall.

This Seems Indicative Of a Poor Connection AT The CLUSTER Or A Junction Connecter Close to the Cluster. This is Assuming you Have Ruled OUT ALL ABS COMPONENTS, LOOK at These VERY CLOSLY Because of the Small Volts These Wires Carry , the SMALLEST DEFECT WILL Cause this Type of Symptom that you have given. Please try all of the Above, I feel Confedint that athis is where your Problem Is.

Factory repair manual step by step testing procedure for Interior Backlighting Inoperative. In your course of testing let me know if you need location for anything .

2
Turn ON the parklamps.
Ensure the panel dimmer switch is at maximum illumination.
Do the illumination lamps operate normally?
YES - Go to Testing for Electrical Intermittents in Wiring Systems
NO - Go to Step 3
3
Is only one lamp inoperative?
YES - Go to Step 4
NO - Go to Step 6
4
Test the instrument panel lamp supply voltage circuit of the inoperative lamp for high resistance or an open. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.
Did you find and correct the condition?
YES - Go to Step 17
NO - Go to Step 5
5
Test the ground circuit of the inoperative lamp for high resistance or an open. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.
Did you find and correct the condition?
YES - Go to Step 17
NO - Go to Step 11
6
Do the park lamps function properly?
YES - Go to Step 7
NO - Go to Park Lamps Inoperative
7
Inspect the ILLUM fuse.
Is the fuse open?
YES - Go to Step 12
NO - Go to Step 8
8
Ensure the panel dimmer switch is at maximum illumination.
Connect a test lamp between the ILLUM fuse and ground.
Does the test lamp illuminate?
YES - Go to Step 14
NO - Go to Step 9
9
without disconnecting the switch, connect a test lamp between the instrument panel lamps dimmer switch signal circuit at the headlamp and panel dimmer switch and ground.
Does the test lamp illuminate?
YES - Go to Step 13
NO - Go to Step 10
10
Inspect for poor connections at the harness connector of the headlamp and panel dimmer switch. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.
Did you find and correct the condition?
YES - Go to Step 17
NO - Go to Step 16
11
Inspect for poor connections at the harness connector of the inoperative bulb. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.
Did you find and correct the condition?
YES - Go to Step 17
NO - Go to Step 15
12
Repair the short to ground in the instrument panel lamp supply voltage circuit. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.
Replace the fuse.
YES - Did you complete the repair?
NO - Go to Step 17
--
13
Repair the open in the instrument panel lamps dimmer switch signal circuit between the switch and the fuse. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.
Did you complete the repair?
Go to Step 17
--
14
Repair the open in the instrument panel lamp supply voltage circuit. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.
Did you complete the repair?
Go to Step 17
--
15
Replace the inoperative bulb.
Did you complete the replacement?
Go to Step 17
--
16
Replace the headlamp and panel dimmer switch. Refer to Headlamp Switch Replacement .
Did you complete the replacement?
Go to Step 17
--
17
Operate the system in order to verify the repair.
Did you correct the condition?
System OK
Go to Step 3

These vans have had issues with the PIN connections to the instrument clusters. With time the solder on the main PIN connection will begin to fail. The good news this may be repaired at home. First you'll need to remove the instruments. To do so remove the dash components from around the instruments then the (4) screws) that hold the instruments in place. Carefully detach the wire connection from the back of it; take to a well lit area. Look for a PIN with a failed solder joint (this will appear as a slight black or grey circle. If found apply heat and let solder be gin to flow; the allow to cool and reassemble. If you look at my history you'll see I've helped others with this issue. The attached link may help: http://dodgeforum.com/forum/dodge-caravan/197192-99-grand-caravan-intermittent-dead-dashboard.html
Please let me know if this assisted you,
Tom

check for an instrument cluster fuse in the fuse panel if it's good you will have to pull the cluster out and change the lights behind the gauges

Likely you have a bad connection on one of the dash connector plugs. Generally if they come on when you smack the top of the dash when they go off that verifies it. If so, remove the dash face and gauge panel (use manual) and clean contacts.

I had the same issue with my dodge caravan and after several attempts by the dealer to fix it, it turned out to be a broken wire. They replaced the relay and it would work for a while and then go blank again. Have the wires checked thoroughly.

must be the dash connection in the back, need to demount dash panel, and spray wd40 on the connections.