Dodge Ram cluster not working, no gauges, read "No Bus", runs fine?

Question

2000 Dodge Ram 1500 SLT
4x4 Quad cab
5.9L Gas, Automatic

Checked fuses under hood and in door jamb, replaced cluster with one from a junk yard, still same problem. Went through test codes on the odometer/trip button and got:
900
920
921
940
950
999

Any ideas as to the problem? Whatever the problem is, it developed while sitting in the drive way. The truck is driven very little.

Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

I'm not entirely sure but I think the NOBUS display is due to a failure to receive the readout for the instrument display, generally either a short or a bad connector will conk ou the whole instrument panel.



Most panels come apart fairly easily with a few screws that retain the cluster, then another 4 or so that hold it in.



I would check the connection if there is no issue at the fuse, there may have been a problem that developed somewhere.



edit: also check possible BCM (body control module) issues

generally a good deal of readout for the dash run through the BCM.

Answer 2

What you have is no communication between the instrument cluster and the other control modules in the vehicle. Since you have replaced the instrument cluster already then it is most likely due to a wiring problem. The truck uses a two wire communication system and if one of those wires goes out then the whole system is down.



Most likely a mouse chewed through one of the bus wires on your truck and it needs to go to the dealership because they are the only ones who can properly diagnose a bus failure.



All that information that the other guy gave you is great but if you don't have a DRB III then your pretty much SOL.



I can copy paste from chrysler's service manual too.

Answer 3

Theres been some excellent advice given to to you so far. First off if i was you id put the old dash cluster back in bec the dodge man is excatly right some cars are like that the comps are programmed to the cars needs and work like a team player . You change one may screw up the whole system. Highly believe that it was like the one man suggested to you could of been a mouse etc chewing away . Plus dodges have crappy wires that do basically corrote inside and get affected by cold temps etc. Another thing is theres wiring harness's that are very tight and bec ppl bump cars etc they strecth the wiring and that causes wiring failers.

Theres no thing forsure like another man suggested its a two wire feed return system and your cluster isnt reciveing a signal from one of those wires . I do believe that problem is probally easy to figure out bec its just a matter of knowing what these wires are and tracing them. Again i highly suggest before you go to a shop you look around under hood even tug ligly on these harness's and forsure put that old dash cluster back in.

I believe that your vehichle is doing what mine does it can sit for awhile in the bowling heat or freezing cold and suddenly a comp isnt getting power to feed the transmission. Whats funny is iam told the problem isnt related to heat or cold but how come every time we get the true hot temps or cold temps and it sits awhile in those temps the prob is back. I took the two main wiring harness's apart that feed run from the transmission comp and fuse panel. That was in summer i drove the car over 7,000 miles and long drives no prob came up until the extreme cold hit and car sat awhile again. Now i can tug on that wire and whamo the problems gone. So for me its been alot of work but now i know just replace that wire and it wasnt easy getting any info from the dealships at all but finally one dealship photo cophied the diagram and now i know the color codes of wires and the comp and fuse panels pin locals. Really if you had that info you could just trace it yourself. Best of luck and i hope i was somewhat helpful

Answer 4

2000 Dodge Ram Dashboard

Answer 5

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Answer 6

I just replaced my cluster in my 2008 roam 1500 and it was perfect for about a week then it lit up like a christmas tree again while driving and all the gauges dropped out except the fuel the speedo and volt....evrything else dropped out...... now what

Answer 7

I had the same problem with the same vehicle as yours.What solved my problem was to undo the wiring harness right above the brake pedal.It is held in by one bolt .I pulled it down and noticed dirt inside. I blew it out and tighted the bolt make sure its tight because it grounds and your vechicle wont start.That solved my problem.Let me know if it works.

Answer 8

1

Answer 9

basically what is happening to your vehicle is it lost communications between the computer and the dash readings,and you said you changed dash units in it,on most of those you also have to change the computer to match the dash unit,you will have to take it a dealer for it to be diagnosed,its almost impossible for the average mechanic to locate and repair this unless you know exactly what and where the problem is with it,the dealers are equipped to deal with that problem,i don't even like fooling with those,you get too much time wrapped up in them,good luck with it.

Answer 10

Hi, my name is Will Chupurdy, and I believe that I may have a solution to your problem. You see since you said that this truck is drove very little, during the time of it sitting ther, dust/dirt, may have got in/ or around the wiring, and we all know that with that being the case we could have a problem, but what I am really trying to say, is that you may in fact have a short in the electrical wiring department, and if I were you, I would take it in to the shop and have them to check for a short; dont worry it wont cost very much, maybe at the most fifty bucks!

Answer 11

hope this helps if not join the club of i dont F'in know--------INSTRUMENT CLUSTER

If all of the gauges and/or indicator lamps are inoperative, perform the Preliminary Diagnosis. If an individual gauge or Chrysler Collision Detection (CCD) data bus message-controlled indicator lamp is inoperative, go directly to the Self-Diagnostic Test. If an individual hard wired indicator lamp is inoperative, refer to Instrument Cluster - Hard Wired Lamp Diagnosis in the Diagnosis and Testing section of this group for the procedures to diagnosis that lamp. For complete circuit diagrams, refer to Instrument Cluster in the Contents of Group 8W - Wiring Diagrams.



NOTE: Certain indicator lamps in this instrument cluster are programmable. This feature allows those indicator lamps to be activated or deactivated with a DRBIII® scan tool through the instrument cluster electronic circuitry for compatibility with certain optional equipment. If the problem being diagnosed involves improper illumination of the cruise-on indicator lamp, the overdrive-off indicator lamp, the transmission oil temperature warning lamp, or the upshift indicator lamp, use a DRBIII® scan tool to be certain that the instrument cluster has been programmed with the proper vehicle equipment option settings.



WARNING: ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIRBAGS, REFER TO GROUP 8M - PASSIVE RESTRAINT SYSTEMS BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY STEERING WHEEL, STEERING COLUMN, OR INSTRUMENT PANEL COMPONENT DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. FAILURE TO TAKE THE PROPER PRECAUTIONS COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY.



PRELIMINARY DIAGNOSIS

If the indicator lamps operate, but none of the gauges operate, go to Step 2. If all of the gauges and the CCD data bus message-controlled indicator lamps are inoperative, go to Step 5.

Check the fused B(+) fuse in the junction block. If OK, go to Step 3. If not OK, repair the shorted circuit or component as required and replace the faulty fuse.

Check for battery voltage at the fused B(+) fuse in the junction block. If OK, go to Step 4. If not OK, repair the open fused B(+) circuit to the battery as required.

Disconnect and isolate the battery negative cable. Remove the instrument cluster. Connect the battery negative cable. Check for battery voltage at the fused B(+) circuit cavity of the instrument cluster wire harness connector A. If OK, refer to Instrument Cluster - Self-Diagnostic Test in the Diagnosis and Testing section of this group. If not OK, repair the open fused B(+) circuit to the fuse in the junction block as required.

Check the fused ignition switch output (run/start) fuse in the junction block. If OK, go to Step 6. If not OK, repair the shorted circuit or component as required and replace the faulty fuse.

Turn the ignition switch to the On position and check for battery voltage at the fused ignition switch output (run/start) fuse in the junction block. If OK, go to Step 7. If not OK, repair the open fused ignition switch output (run/start) circuit to the ignition switch as required.

Turn the ignition switch to the Off position. Disconnect and isolate the battery negative cable. Install the instrument cluster. Connect the battery negative cable. Turn the ignition switch to the On position. Set the park brake. The red brake warning lamp should light. If OK, go to Step 8. If not OK, go to Step 9.

Turn the ignition switch to the Off position. Turn on the park lamps and adjust the panel lamps dimmer thumbwheel on the headlamp switch to the full bright position. The cluster illumination lamps should light. If OK, go to Step 10. If not OK, repair the open power ground circuit from the instrument cluster wire harness connector A to ground as required.

Turn the ignition switch to the Off position. Disconnect and isolate the battery negative cable. Remove the instrument cluster. Connect the battery negative cable. Turn the ignition switch to the On position. Check for battery voltage at the fused ignition switch output (run/start) circuit cavity of the instrument cluster wire harness connector A. If OK, refer to Instrument Cluster - Self-Diagnostic Test in the Diagnosis and Testing section of this group. If not OK, repair the open fused ignition switch output (run/start) circuit to the fuse in the junction block as required.

Disconnect and isolate the battery negative cable. Remove the instrument cluster. Check for continuity between the logic ground circuit cavity of the instrument cluster wire harness connector A and a good ground. There should be continuity. If OK, refer to Instrument Cluster - Self-Diagnostic Test in the Diagnosis and Testing section of this group. If not OK, repair the open logic ground circuit to ground as required.

SELF-DIAGNOSTIC TEST

The instrument cluster self-diagnostic test will put the instrument cluster into its self-diagnostic mode. In this mode the instrument cluster can perform a self-diagnostic test that will confirm that the instrument cluster circuitry, the gauges, and the CCD data bus message-controlled indicator lamps are capable of operating as designed.



However, there may still be a problem with the CCD data bus, the Powertrain Control Module (PCM), the Airbag Control Module (ACM), the Controller Anti-lock Brake (CAB), or the inputs to one of these electronic control modules. Use a DRBIII® scan tool and the proper Diagnostic Procedures manual for testing of these components.



NOTE: If a CCD data bus message is not received by the instrument cluster for twenty seconds, the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) will flash and a "no bus" message will appear in the VFD odometer display.



Begin the test with the ignition switch in the Off position.

Depress the trip odometer reset button.

While holding the trip odometer reset button depressed, turn the ignition switch to the On position, but do not start the engine.

Keep the trip odometer reset button depressed for about ten seconds, until CHEC appears in the odometer display, then release the odometer reset button.

A series of three-digit numeric failure messages may appear in the odometer display, depending upon the failure mode. If a failure message appears, see the Instrument Cluster Failure Message chart for the description and proper correction. If no failure message appears, the self-diagnostic test will proceed as described in Step 6.

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILURE MESSAGE

Message Description Correction

110 A failure has been identified in the cluster CPU, RAM, or EEPROM. 1. Replace the faulty cluster.

900 The CCD data bus is not operational. 1. Check the CCD data bus connections at the cluster.

2. Check the cluster fuses.

3. Check the CCD data bus bias.

4. Check the CCD data bus voltage.

5. Check the CCD data bus terminations.

920 The cluster is not receiving a vehicle speed message from the PCM. 1. Check the PCM software level and reflash if required.

2. Use a DRBIII® scan tool to verify that the vehicle speed message is being sent by the PCM.

921 The cluster is not receiving a distance pulse message from the PCM. 1. Check the PCM software level and reflash if required.

2. Use a DRBIII® scan tool to verify that the distance pulse message is being sent by the PCM.

940 The cluster is not receiving an airbag lamp-on message from the ACM. 1. Check the CCD data bus connections at the ACM.

2. Check the ACM fuse.

950 The cluster is not receiving an ABS lamp-on message from the CAB. 1. Check the CCD data bus connections at the CAB.

2. Check the CAB fuse.

999 An error has been discovered. 1. Record the failure message.

2. Depress the trip odometer reset button to continue the Self-Diagnostic Test.



The instrument cluster will begin the odometer walking segment test. This test will require the operator to visually inspect each odometer segment as it is displayed to determine a pass or fail condition. First, all of the segments will be illuminated at once; then, each individual segment of the odometer display will be illuminated in sequence. If any segment in the display fails to illuminate, repeat the test to confirm the failure. If the failure is confirmed, replace the faulty instrument cluster. Following the odometer walking segment test, the self-diagnostic test will automatically proceed as described in Step 7.

The instrument cluster will perform a bulb check of each indicator lamp that the instrument cluster circuitry controls. If the wait-to-start indicator lamp does not illuminate during this test, the instrument cluster should be removed. However, check that the incandescent lamp bulb is not faulty and that the bulb holder is properly installed on the instrument cluster electronic circuit board before considering instrument cluster replacement. If the bulb and bulb holder check OK, replace the faulty instrument cluster. Each of the remaining instrument cluster circuitry controlled indicators are illuminated by a Light Emitting Diode (LED) If an LED fails to illuminate during this test, the instrument cluster must be replaced. Following the bulb check test, the self-diagnostic test will automatically proceed as described in Step 8.

The instrument cluster will perform a gauge actuator test. In this test the instrument cluster circuitry positions each of the gauge needles at three different calibration points, then returns the gauge needles to their relaxed positions. If an individual gauge does not respond properly, or does not respond at all during the gauge actuator test, the instrument cluster should be removed. However, check that the gauge terminal pins are properly inserted through the spring-clip terminal pin receptacles on the instrument cluster electronic circuit board before considering instrument cluster replacement. If the gauge terminal connections are OK, replace the faulty instrument cluster.

The self-diagnostic test is now completed. The instrument cluster will automatically exit the self-diagnostic m