Last week I notice I was going about 65mph and the speedometer was at 50 and not moving. Even when I came to a complete stop it was still at 50. Then during the day it was working, but it was lagging for some reason, like it was getting caught on something. It still gets stuck sometimes too.
Anyone have any problems like this?
Sounds like the VSS or other known as the vehicle speed sensor. I don't what what kind of car you have but if its a 3rd gen, it would be located on the front drivers wheel behind the hub. 3rd gens are known for the VSS's going bad prematurely.
97 Cavalier Z24 @ 85k
00 Cavalier Base Coupe @ 152k...rollin on 14's!
97 Grand Cherokee 5.2L@ 260k
The instrument cluster is binding internally. I have seen it. Need to get a new cluster.
I think the VSS would be the first thing to try though before I would go tearing the IPC out.
97 Cavalier Z24 @ 85k
00 Cavalier Base Coupe @ 152k...rollin on 14's!
97 Grand Cherokee 5.2L@ 260k
mmy 03 cavy has done that now all my instraments in the cluster are stuck pointing down
nope its the cluster, my lady's car did same thing with fuel gauge, i used my old gauges and soldered them onto her board since i ripped all the bulbs out in anticipation to do led swap.... anyway, new cluster is easiest bet, $80 +sh from gmpartsdirect.com, or junkyard (try to find 03 or up, best bet to prevent bad bulbs)
Hellraiser and Lil Lightning
if you need a cluster i have one from a 2004 that im not using... no frills, works and lights up well.
I have an '05, and my Step Mother actually has the same car but her's is the 4 door. ALL her gauges are stuck.
She got a quote from the dealer, and they said it is like $800 to get fixed!! Freakin ridiculous! Is it easy to get it from GMpartsdirect.com??
Also how easy is it to install, like taking apart the dash and what not?
Thanks guys.
yeah its pretty easy to get it from there, there is a catalog thing that it will direct you to for the right part number (typing in the one off the back of the cluster would work too) .
as for pulling it out, you have to pull off the dash pad, which is about 10 screws, and the front trim which has 3 screws (doesnt need to come all the way off, just loosened to slide gauges out) and 2 screws for the cluster itself. 2000+ are plug and play, just put new one in and you're off ( odometer stored in BCM), 99 and down there is a procedure you can search for on here to get the theft system to recognize it (i think the last one i did took about 15 minutes for it to do its thing, safety thing so a thief cannot get away with stealing car by hotwiring) and odometer is stored in cluster itself (in which you will probably need odo cert sticker)
best bet is to get a repair manual as they would have pictures, etc on how to do it, and it will be useful for future repairs.
Hellraiser and Lil Lightning
That's great to hear! I thought it was going to be this huge deal. I wonder how the dealers think they can charge $800 for something like that!
Thanks!
I have the exact same problem. It starts sticking once your car gets around operating temperature. The reason why is cause the gears that operate the needles heat up and start sticking, they can be taken apart and lubed up or you can just replace your speedo cluster, which I'm doing.
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/857357
I'm having the same problem in my 03. Speedo doesn't work or works part of the time or indicates the wrong speed. Also, the temp gauge has started doing the same thing. After doing some searching on the net, found out that I am not the only one with this problem (at least with the 03-04 models). Found out that Chevy is having problems with the stepper motors that they are using to control the gauges in the higher end SUV's and trucks. Took the gauge cluster apart and found...stepper motors. If you search Google, you will find that there is a service bulletin (as well as lots of complaints and legal action) for this BUT it doesn't include Cavaliers. I'm searching high and low for the replacement motors (currently to no avail) and will post once I find some. Currently the only solution is to replace the gauge cluster.
Similar issue with the GF's '03 LS. Tach at idle reads straight down, driving RPM is about 1k RPM's too low. Speedo reads about 15 MPH too high. The cluster works fine when the car is cold inside. Give it some driving time and running the heat and it starts screwing up.
Mike
'06 Redline Ion Competition
'97 Saturn SC-2
Same problem on my '04 cavalier. I got a new cluster off ebay for $30, Everything's been fine since.
GM should be replacing an obviously defective part. Sad that they continue to manufacture poor designed components and don't stand behind their product.
Mike
'06 Redline Ion Competition
'97 Saturn SC-2
Chevy said that if I go to a dealer and pay to have them determine that the problem is the stepper motor ($100), that they will then '...see what they can do to assist' me with the $500 bill to have the gauge cluster replaced. No promises or guarantees.
Here's the settlement info on the lawsuit (which Chevy also claimed didn't exist):
Monday, September 10, 2007
Delphi settles GM parts issue
Company pays $100M to mend warranty issues and agrees to replace 1.1M electronic parts.
David Shepardson / Detroit News Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON -- Delphi Corp. will pay General Motors Corp. at least $100 million to settle long-standing disputes over warranty issues and also will replace 1.1 million electronics parts -- worth more than $80 million -- at no charge as part of a wide-ranging agreement between the companies.
The settlement, reached Aug. 14 and made public late Thursday, opens a window into the costs GM has incurred in dozens of recall campaigns as a result of parts supplied by its former parts unit. GM has blamed dozens of warranty claims on shoddy Delphi parts, especially electronics.
The companies won U.S. Bankruptcy Court approval to release only an edited copy of the agreement. The agreement resolves all outstanding issues between the companies and sets the stage for Delphi to emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy by the end of the year. Troy-based Delphi has filed a final reorganization plan.
Since GM spun off Delphi in 1999, the automaker has had many disputes with the company over warranty claims.
GM spokeswoman Renee Rashid-Merem said Friday that the agreement "clears the slate" between Delphi and GM "and resolves a certain group of outstanding warranty issues."
She said the agreement covers as many as 50 warranty issues; the settlement refers to at least 43 warranties.
The major issue resolved involves 1.1 million electronic parts that are part of instrument clusters, according to a heavily edited version of the agreement that has been made public. The instrument cluster is the electronic brain behind the instrument panel on the dash.
With the agreement and an improving relationship with Delphi, GM hopes to save $2 billion annually in parts costs.
As Delphi exits several businesses, GM will represent a diminishing share of its revenue -- down to a quarter or less than $5 billion by 2010.
Delphi attorney Jack Butler said the agreement saves Delphi "hundreds of millions of dollars in potential liability."
Defective parts replaced
Under the deal, GM will receive $47.5 million to replace defective electronic parts and Delphi will provide 1.1 million new parts at no charge through 2014.
In addition, GM will have a right to buy additional parts at no more than $83 each.
For instrument clusters equipped with Switec stepper motors, Delphi also will provide bulbs and motors at its cost.
In another issue, Delphi will pay GM $175 per repair for up to 107,000 vehicles -- or as much as $18 million. GM would not divulge what part is involved.
Delphi also may sue a supplier over one of the defective parts. If successful, the company has agreed to give GM part of any proceeds exceeding $8 million.
During the dispute, GM withheld $5.4 million in parts payments from Delphi. Delphi won't seek the payment.
Meanwhile, two GM investigations into other allegedly defective parts by Delphi remain ongoing, "and GM has not yet determined if Delphi has any responsibility," according to the agreement.
...and the Special Service Bulletin:
GM PARTS BULLETINS & INFORMATION - TO CADILLAC, CHEVROLET AND GMC DEALERS
Subject:Bulletin GMP07-174 - Special Coverage Adjustment #07187- Instrument Panel Cluster Gauge Needle FunctionMessage #:VSU20071575
• DESCRIPTION:
SPECIAL COVERAGE Adjustment #07187- SEPTEMBER 28, 2007
DUE TO PART AVAILABILITY, THIS SPECIAL COVERAGE IS BEING ADMINISTERED IN PHASES. YOU WILL BE NOTIFIED AS EACH ADDITIONAL PHASE IS RELEASED.
CUSTOMERS ARE BEING INSTRUCTED TO CONTACT THE DEALERSHIP TO ARRANGE AN APPOINTMENT IF THEY BELIEVE THEIR VEHICLE HAS THIS CONDITION. THE CUSTOMER IS BEING ASKED TO PROVIDE THE VIN SO THE IPC CAN BE ORDERED IN ADVANCE OF THE SCHEDULED APPOINTMENT. THIS WILL ELIMINATE THE NEED TO KEEP THE VEHICLE OVERNIGHT.
o Some customers of 2003-2004 model year Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT; Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado, Suburban, and Tahoe; and GMC Sierra, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles have reported that the instrument panel (IP) cluster gauges stick, flutter, or become inoperative. This may cause inaccurate readings, including the speedometer and fuel gauge.
o This special coverage covers the condition described above for a period of 7 years or 70,000 miles (110,000 km), whichever occurs first, from the date the vehicle was originally placed in service, regardless of ownership.
o Refer to Special Coverage Adjustment #07187 for further information
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Initial owner mailing is scheduled to begin: Phase 1 9-28-07
GENERAL INFORMATION:
Instrument panel clusters (IPC) required to complete this special coverage are to be obtained from the Electronic Service Centers. Refer to GM Service Policies and Procedures Manual, section 1.5.9, for specific procedures. To eliminate keeping the customer's vehicle overnight, customers are being told to contact the dealership to arrange a service appointment and to supply their VIN. Dealers are to pre-order the IPC identifying the part from the Electronic Parts Catalog using the VIN filter so it will be at the dealership on the day of the scheduled appointment.
o 1. The customer will contact the dealership to arrange an appointment and provide their VIN.
2. Contact a GM Authorized Electronic Service Center to order an exchange and arrange for delivery of the pre-exchange product.
3. All units will be shipped FedEx Ground.
4. After removal of the defective unit, return the defective core to the Electronic Service Center using the supplied pre-paid Automatic Return shipping (ARS) label.
5. Failure to return the product within 30 days to the Electronic Service Center will result in a charge to the Dealer's Open Parts Account.
