instrument cluster problem 2001 cruiser

[Mike72903]

This has been an ongoing problem. The instrument cluster lights and warning chime come on and go off at random as the car is driven. Also the instruments themselves work intermittently every few seconds. Took the car to the dealer and they tell me the ECM is bad. After two weeks of their trying to order a replacement, I go get the car and order a rebuilt one from a very helpful business in Fl. Installed the rebuilt ECM and the car works great for 3 days but now it's doing the same thing. Seems beyond the realm of possibilities that two ECM's would have the identical problem. A little more background. Originally the car was built for Canada but was converted by replacing the instrument cluster. When the problem first started I noticed I could disconnect the battery and the problem would go away temporarily for various times but never for long. Now I find out that the car also has a body control module (BCM) that is evidently part of the instrument cluster. Sounds like that might be the problem but are there any other possibilities? I'd just buy a new car but just put in a bunch of bucksfor timing belts, hoses, brakes tires and other stuff associated with getting to 100,000 miles.
thanks for any help

[quicksilverdon]

Welcome.
You don't say what year... if it's '05 or older, there are 2 PTs being parted out here - you could get a new instrumment cluster.
My hunch is either a connector isn't seated properly, or the printed circuit board that is the back of the whole instrument cluster has a crack in it and connection makes/breaks with vibration.

[Hooligan]

Don, in the title, he mentions 2001 cruiser.

[Mike72903]

Thanks for the suggestions Don. The car is an 2001. I'm assuming that getting the instrument cluster out is going to be a big job. I'll look around and see if I can find instructions online. I can't believe the dealership just misdiagnosed it as an ECM problem. I'm glad I didn't pay them the $750 they wanted to fix it.

[CREWZIN]

Mike,

If you look for a sticky in the Tech & Performance section, it will describe in detail how to take the instrument cluster out.

Look for "Dash Lamp Replacement"

[Mike72903]

Thanks crewzin, I gave that a read. Sounds doable, barely. Reading a little more about problems other people have had with their instrument clusters, I've decided to first check all the grounds since evidently the bcm is sensitive to voltage variations.

[chris15]

It's really not a big job at all. I've taken the dash apart countless times for speaker swaps, wiring mods, replacing bulbs etc. If you've never popped off the panels in your PT before, it'll take some time for you to work up the nerve to pry at them.

[partyd]

I TOOK MINE OFF TO REPLACE 2 BAD BULBS it took me about 15 minutes to get it out you have to remove the Windows switch and center cover of the ac and radio out to get 2 screws, and lift the dash cover a little 4 screws hold the cluster