Ok my speedometer will go to zero while im driving out of no where and go back to the speed i was at

it's looks like i just turned on the car

what can this be?

could be the alternator going out. but do any of the other guages bounce around or do anything? do your lights dim?

if its just your speedometer, it could be your speed sensor.


-Cameron (CaliforniaCavalier)

Girls make me mad and break my heart, but my car is always there for me.

it's everything


just like im turning on the car while im driving

then your alternator is probably going out. is your battery light comming on?

unless the car actually turns off? is that what you mean? what do u mean its like turning the car on while ur driving? does the engine make any noises or is it just the guages and lights?


-Cameron (CaliforniaCavalier)

Girls make me mad and break my heart, but my car is always there for me.

I'm Having the same problem. While I'm driving the dummy gauges will come on and go off, speedometer , fuel gauge and temp. gauge will drop to zero. I just replace the battery yesterday morning it was fine, I think because I didn't have anyother things running but when I went out at night I turnrd the lights on and wipers And when I put It in drive the Theft lock light comes on and the service light as well. When I press the brake the lights dim in and outside the car, the long I drive is when all the gauges do there dance...... I change the battery cables nothing happened.........NEED HELP

its the alternator. you can get one for like 120$ at the local parts store. takes about an hour to put it in.

do that and the problem will be fixed.


-Cameron (CaliforniaCavalier)

Girls make me mad and break my heart, but my car is always there for me.

^^^^

Test dont guess. Most shops at least around the Chicagoland area offer a charging/starting test for about $29.95. They will tell you if the alternator is bad or not.




- 2004 Cavalier - 124k, owned since new

Autozone does it for free. Tests your battery and starter.

er Alternator (grr on the lack of edit button)

Ender_Wiggin wrote:Autozone does it for free. Tests your battery and starter.

Autozone people are morons, they full field the damn alternator, bunch of clowns that have no clue what they are doing. You should never ever full field a modern day alternator.




- 2004 Cavalier - 124k, owned since new

took it into the shop yesterday. nothing wrong with the alt. 13.7 volts while running. think It could be PCM. Could this be why car is acting up

Rob S wrote:

Ender_Wiggin wrote:Autozone does it for free. Tests your battery and starter.

Autozone people are morons, they full field the damn alternator, bunch of clowns that have no clue what they are doing. You should never ever full field a modern day alternator.

if you actually think your going to get good service at an autozone or pepboys your retarded. they will give anyone a job



as for the question, its your vss sensor in your tranny

Lets examine the VSS ( vehicle speed sensor) comment.

Now cruise control if he has only works above 30 or 40 whatever it is. However cruise wont work if the brake light switch is bad, or the VSS is bad. Now if he is doing say 50mph and the speedometer cuts out and he had the cruise engaged and that shut off, then yes I would very much to the VSS being bad.

I'm not sure where it mounted, usually on top or the side of the trans. But if you live in the snow belt with salt and crap it may be very hard to remove it.


- 2004 Cavalier - 124k, owned since new

Rob S wrote:Lets examine the VSS ( vehicle speed sensor) comment.

Now cruise control if he has only works above 30 or 40 whatever it is. However cruise wont work if the brake light switch is bad, or the VSS is bad. Now if he is doing say 50mph and the speedometer cuts out and he had the cruise engaged and that shut off, then yes I would very much to the VSS being bad.

I am trying to figure why you think that it might not be the VSS. If there is a loose connection or the sensor is messed up in the tranny, it would do exactly what Daniel is stating his problem is. He did not mention anything about his cruise control.
Daniel, as stated by Baggedcav98, have your VSS checked out.



98 Z24

RIP Specks

^^^^^

Umm no read my post again.

"Now if he is doing say 50mph and the speedometer cuts out and he had the cruise engaged and that shut off, then yes I would very much to the VSS being bad."

Reason being the brake light switch and the VSS MUST be working correctly for the cruise to work.

So I said drive on the highway with the cruise engaged, and if the speedometer cuts out, and your cruise stops working then yes it is most likely the VSS.




- 2004 Cavalier - 124k, owned since new

Rob, now that you restated your other post, it makes some sense. You didn't tell heim to test it out driving down the highway using the cruise control in your other post. You have now cleared up what you were trying to say earlier.



98 Z24

RIP Specks

well i kinda figured it out from his first post.

cruise control dont work = possible vss
cruise control work = maybe not vss


i still stay check it anyway. it sounds like what it is. just hope when you pull it out to check that its not covered in metal shavings. if it is, start savin' for the new trans

^^^ I agree with you. Check the VSS. Could be as simple as a loose connection.



98 Z24

RIP Specks

Its probly the VSS. Its a cheap enough fix.

Rob S. I'm curious as to this "full field test" your speaking of. Most of these places use the newest test equipment the same as any high quality shop would. You turn on the machine hook up the cables and take the readings. How is this screwed up by these
lowly stores? Not being a smartass I'm just curious thats all.




Semper Fi SAINT. May you rest in peace.

Jackalope wrote:Its probly the VSS. Its a cheap enough fix.

vss sensor have to be bought at the dealer. you know how much they cost? its not cheap. the sensor itself is like $115

Manual transmission cars VSS costs $25.89
Automatic transmission cars VSS costs $15.72
These are the retail prices for these parts at Miller Brothers Chevrolet in Ellicott city MD.
If the dealer where you live is chargeing you any where near $115.00 you are being screwed.




Semper Fi SAINT. May you rest in peace.

Since you stated "it's everything" I don't think it's the VSS. I would look at the connections on the back of the gage cluster. You may not be getting good contact. Have you had your cluster out?

http://www.j-body.org/forums/read.php?f=11&i=97595&t=97595

Is it anything like this.


Just a thought


Alont

Its either the ground block UNDER the battery tray, or it is a shorted class 2 data wire (PURPLE). this was the same problem I was having and it ended up being a shorted class 2 data wire under the radiator going to the PCM.

Rob, any word on how the auto parts stores equipment differs from the shops yet?




Semper Fi SAINT. May you rest in peace.