wow I did not realize that my problem was so complicated. After all that I still do not know what the problem is. Can anyone tell me? What is the ECM that 4600cc was talking about?

 

The engine computer. It controls the engine, transmission if it's auto, tranction control if available, and the guage cluster. The connector to it is through the firewall, it is too easy to flood it with just a tiny bit of wate and corode the copper connectors.

 

do i have to take out the dash to get to it?

 

No, it's under the dash, either on drive or passenger side. Open up the hood look for the big harnes going through the firewall.

 

+1 for BBG