1999 dodge caravan intermittent instrument cluster

U1900 FORD - CAN Communication Bus Fault

Read more: https://www.autocodes.com/u1900_ford.html
Possible causes
Faulty / intermittent ignition switch connections
CAN Bus wiring intermittently open/shorted to power or ground Faulty / intermittent connection at PCM
Faulty electrical connections at ABS Control Module
Faulty electrical connections at the instrument cluster
Poor connections at the trailer brake controller/trailer connector

Tech notes This is typically a false/intermittent code. It can occur if: Someone hooks up a scanner to the OBDII port while the ignition is on or while the engine is idling. A trailer brake system is installed improperly/incorrectly on a truck with ABS (anti-lock brakes).

When is the code detected? When the PCM, Brake Controller and Instrument Cluster are unable to communicate with each other at any time while the ignition switch is turned to the "Run" position, code U1900 sets in memory.

Possible symptoms Engine Light ON (or Service Engine Soon Warning Light) Amber ABS (Anti-lock Brakes) Light ON Wrench Light On

U1900 Ford Description The Anti-ock Brakes System (ABS) module, the Powertrain Control Module (PCM), and the instrument cluster communicate over the Controller Area Network (CAN) Bus. This is a high-speed bus communication system and is not fault tolerant, which means any type of intermittent/loose connection between these 3 controllers will cause communication to stop. When the PCM, ABS module and instrument cluster are unable to communicate with each other at any time while the ignition switch is turned on, code U1900 will set.

Read more: https://www.autocodes.com/u1900_ford.html

I think I would be investing time in looking for a bad earth(ground) wire for the instrument cluster or dash harness as what you describe is vindictive of a bad connection

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.

If you tap the side of the dash do the gauges come back. Is the ABS light on when the gauges quit?

When the gauges quit, does the ABS light come on? Does the gas gauge and temp gauge quit too?

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

take out the screws in the top of the cluster.remove the cluster.it is a double sided pc board and there will be broken solder joints on the back side of the pc board.resolder all the pins if you can solder,if not take it to an electronics shop and have them solder it.

One common problem is with intrument cluster solder joints where the cable connector attaches to the circuit board. Solder joints fracture. Resolder. Use Hanes manual to get dashboard apart.

Indication is instrument panel goes dead and car sometimes will not start.

Other possibilites are loose connectors or poor connections in cable harnesses.

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.

I had the same problem. Abs light would come on and I would lose all dash instruments. Hit a bump on the road and abs light would go off and dash would come back on. What I did to fix problem, lol I slaped the dash just to the right of instrument panel and it all came back to life. There seems to be a short there, and I slaped it back 3 times in a week and now for the last month it has stayed on.