I have a 2005 cavalier and am having a problem with the fuel gauge. It seems to do whatever it wants. Sometimes it will read half a tank and other times it will go so far past full it runs into my temp. gauge. It sounds as if it is grinding or sticking n something when it moves. Any ideas what is going on with this or how I can fix it? Any help is greatly appreciated.
If it's going past full, then more than likely you have a short in the wire coming from the sending unit that sends the signal to the gauge. The wire runs from the PCM to the sender on top of the fuel tank and it purple in color.
Sounds to me like the stepper is bad in the gauge cluster. Easiest option is replacing the cluster itself by picking one up on ebay. Other option is buying one new from the dealer (talking pretty big bucks for that). Third option is ordering the steppers and replacing them on your existing cluster. Mileage is stored on your car's BCM. So no matter what you do, your mileage stays the same.
I have a bad stepper in my 05 TrailBlazer. Occasionally it'll mess up and it makes my speedometer not fall any lower than 50. Problem is when I start moving again, it starts counting from that point. so 50+60 = 110. Driving home with your needle pointing at 110 is kinda weird when you're not doing 110.
i find it amusing that SHOoff has nothing better to do but follow me around & be an unhelpful dick in even cross-forum. - Jon Mick
Chris- thanks for the advice. I checked that wire and all is good.
SHOoff- I think you may be right. Im going to take apart the cluster later this week and check it out. That sounds exactly what ts is doing.
SHOoff wrote:Sounds to me like the stepper is bad in the gauge cluster. Easiest option is replacing the cluster itself by picking one up on ebay. Other option is buying one new from the dealer (talking pretty big bucks for that). Third option is ordering the steppers and replacing them on your existing cluster. Mileage is stored on your car's BCM. So no matter what you do, your mileage stays the same.
I have a bad stepper in my 05 TrailBlazer. Occasionally it'll mess up and it makes my speedometer not fall any lower than 50. Problem is when I start moving again, it starts counting from that point. so 50+60 = 110. Driving home with your needle pointing at 110 is kinda weird when you're not doing 110.
the speedometers on our cars i've noticed do the same thing, most when the needle starts sticking etc and you back up they just go back down to 0 and when you go forward again jump etc all over. Our cars if the speedo sticks at say 30 or something and you back up instead of going to 0 it just goes even higher up why is that?
Bill and others.
I have seen and heard and experienced all types of issues with these clusters.
Mine in my 04, wouldnt go up and any, espiecally when cold, and would stick when it did.
My g/fs 05, the temp gauge went wacko, and would go all the way into the speedometer section, so the speedo needle would fight the temp needle.
The price from a dealer is $350.
There is a place in CT, that you order one from them a rebuilt one for $250, then you send them your old one and get $100 back. It called Digital Dash Solution, I have used them and recommend them.
They also give you a 1 year warranty
- 2004 Cavalier - 124k, owned since new
You can buy the stepper motors online from different places (maybe even Ebay) if you cando some work with a soldering iron a bit you can change them out yourself.
i find it amusing that SHOoff has nothing better to do but follow me around & be an unhelpful dick in even cross-forum. - Jon Mick
but by doing that, don't you have to be extremely careful to line it all up just right
I just replaced the cluster. I found one at te local bone yard for $60. All is good now! I appreciate everyones help.
