So, it may not be the BCM problem, what else?

Question

Hello!

First thanks for The Bathtub Admiral for giving me the suggestion to check around the PCB for all the solder joints for this problem. Before I start to do that, anyone has any other ideas on my car problem so that I can try to do them together when I take the car apart? Thanks a lot.

Intrepid 97, 130K miles.

Problems:

1) windshield wiper starts as soon as I start the car, will not stop.
2) the interior lights do not work.
3) Gas and speed meters (sometimes other meters join the party too) on the cluster panel seem funny and shake around even the car stays still on ground.
4) Power door locks do not work. (power window work)
5) The sound from engine sounds like running not stable (sometimes faster, sometimes slower).
6) If I drive it, some kind of "choking" sound from the below of the car, and the car drives like hitting a rock every several seconds.
7) If I take off the BCM and start the car, the meters on the cluster panel have no readings, and all other problem exist.

Have checked:

1) multi function switch and the headlights switch, seem OK. (all problems still exist even if I take these two off).
2) changed the BCM (got one from junk yard), all problems still exist.
3) all fuses seem OK. I also tried to switch the relays in the power box to see if anything will happen, seems no difference.
4) I checked the battery and its grounding, seems OK.

A small painfull video is here if you like to have a look (each about

550K, same content, different video format):

formatting link

So, any other suggestions?

Thanks a lot and have a great weekend.

The Bathtub Admiral · Accepted Answer

Because the BCM is but one of many items on the network, your going to have to find out if the network is intact if there is a short in the twisted CCD wires anywhere and if any node is screwing things up for the rest.  This is where you need a scan tool basically, no real way around it.  Have you checked for codes by cycling the key on-off-on-off-on and counting the 2 digit flashes?

Kaidi · Answer

Yes, I have tried the key on off way, it only has the code saying battery disconnected recently. No other code.

I will start to check the PCM this afternoon (cause it just came to my mind that just before all these problem started, I accidently dropped some coolant outside the coolant tank. Since PCM is quite near that, I may first check it. I will update the info later when I take it off.

Thanks a lot. :-)

mic canic · Answer

check for loose grounds under the center console in front of the shifterKaidi wrote:

So, it may not be the BCM problem, what else?

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