So lately I have been having a problem. While driving suddenly my tach and gas gauge just dies, dropping down to 0, then suddenly will jump back up to where they should be. Sometimes I can go all day without this happening, then other times it will happen again and again, and even again.
Also, I am having a problem with the warning lights (on the cluster) randomly they will all light up. The car runs fine so I know there isn't a problem, but yet they all (and sometimes only a few) light up. Give it a few second-few minutes and they go back off.
Any ideas,
Much appreciated,
Shane
chalk it upto GM JUNK. granted i like my car, but it is GM JUNK. i hate the way they set these up. maybe its just me and im a jeep guy. kinda got forced into buying my sunfire when my jeep got totalled. but all in all my cherokee handled alot better then my car. had better pick up and way better gas mileage. i dont remember the last time i would 11 gallons in my tank and only get 200 miles to it if im lucky. actually my dads truck does that. it has a reason too. its a 5.9L ram 1500. that truck gets better gas mileage in 4 wheel drive then my car does. there both bone stock by the way. honestly i cant wait to sell my car!
^^^Ummm....ok? Seems totally irrelevant. heh.
Anyways, It could be the wiring for the guage cluster, check to make sure none of the wires are damaged or scraping on any metal. Also make sure the harness is nice and snug. Could be a simple problem like that, especially because it happens inconsistantly. A wire could be shorting out over bumps. If that doesnt fix anything Id call GM.
I highly doubt it is anything serious as all of your lights/guages are effected. It has to be something with the gauge unit itself. Good luck!
-Nate (ZeeTwankyFo)
Do you have to take the dash apart to check the guage wiring harness to make sure its ok? I'm having the same problem in my car, but it is becomeing more regular rather then inconsistant before.
yeah same here and mine is messin up CONSTANTLY now. Almost as if the car is bein told somehow that the ignition is off or somethin cause its killin power intermittently to the radio as well but all functions like the hvac work fine? I need to fix mine so i can get it inspected
shawn you should do a full tune up because 2.2 average around 420ish to a tank and 2.4 ave 350-375 a tank
friends dont let friends roll stock
Ok now i fixed the radio problem but now the car won't even stay running? Runs for like a second and then dies
Is your security light flashing when the car dies? Then it's PASSlock kicking in. You're likely going to have to do the Passlock re-learn. It's in the FAQ.
Theft System light does not flash. ARGHHHHh what is wrong with my car????
Nobody has suggested the voltage regulator going south. It's part of the alternator, so ya gotta replace the whole thing. A bad regulator will cause faulty lights in the cluster. The cluster has it's own microprocessor, so that may be bad.
yeah but would that keep the car from running? I understand it making the lights malfunction but would it really prevent the car from continuing running?
The very first thing I'd do is check all your connections that are easy to checl, battery, alternator. Then I would start tearing into your dash, it sounds like you have an intermittent open someplace.
As for the alternators voltage regulator going bad, if the alternator goes bad any part it can cause running problems. Let me explain, the ICM, and PCM are the like are designed to run on 12V, now if the alternator is not putting out enough amps, for these thing systems to run on, say the ICM is only getting 9.5V, is it going to work right, the answer is no.
You need to have your alternator tested for output, the diodes inside tested, and the voltage regulator inside tested. This doesnt mean go to Autozone and have them full field it, it means takes it to a shop, pay the $30 charging systems test fee and find out if that part of the car is working correctly.
- 2004 Cavalier - 124k, owned since new
