I have the same problem sometimes it will run for various periods and then it will Not start due to the anittheft system will not recogize and shuts down, i can not believe no one has figured out the fix for this problem yet i have been on various sites and lots of people are having this problem. One guy says it might be the connection on the back of the gauges one says it might be the circut board in side for the gauges, Is there a relay that might need replacing. Is there not one mecanic out there that has actually fixed this problem. These cars are old enough for someone somewhere that has fixed this problem. Please help this problem is drivng my wife crazy.
I had the same problem on my 1998 Dodge Caravan LE with 3.8L. I did some research, tried different things but what fixed the problem was removing the instrument cluster and resoldering the 4 pins on the back. In 1998 they changed from using lead based solder to a non lead formula, this new formula tended to give cold solder joints, that is joints with poor electrical connection. The instrument cluster is fairly easy to remove, the main problems I had were with the emergency brake cable that has to be disconceted from the release handle and also the light switch panel posed a minor problem. A few screws and an electrical connector and the instrument panel will come out. Use a solder suction tool to remove all the old non lead solder and then resolder with a good lead based electronic solder. You won't need a lot of solder and it is best not to have any excess on the connections. A good connection is when the solder flows smooth around the pin and on the circuit board. I did this on my 1998 Caravan 2 years ago and I haven't had a problem since. Good luck, hope all goes well.
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get a new key and tumbler.
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