So.. on Saturday, I let my roommate borrow my car to pick up his girlfriend and her daughter. He brought it back and later that day I went to go somewhere and the car wouldnt turn over. We figured it was too low on gas so we went and filled up a gas can. Brought that back, put some gas in the car - still no go so we rolled it to the middle of the street (so it would be level).. rocked it a bit and still no go so we rolled it back to the side of the road.. I tried one more time and it started.

Fine, it starts and runs - but now my instrument cluster isnt working right. After about 2 minutes of driving, most of the warning lights turn on, and all the gauges go to "0". After driving for a while, it may kick back on... the guages that is but the warning lights stay on.. then it kicks out. Then it says "Error" in the area where the digital reading that normally tells me how many miles I have driven.

Whats up with this? I have had way too many problems with this car... I really dont think this would have anything to do with how I installed my stereo... but still.. I've had issues with that for a long time now. Any thoughts? Any fuses I can pull to reset the computer? Thanks,

Chris
03 Cavalier LS Sport




"There were some Luddites with some kind of PC-based, primitive [operating system], I think it's called Windows, who couldn't figure out how I got a TV on the plane." Trent Reznor referring to peoples reaction to his PowerBook G4 Titanium

i had the exact problem about 2 weeks ago (i also have a 03 ls sport), turns out there is a recall for a software upgrade. just go to the dealership and let them know. its a free fix



Lookin' Stock - For Now!

SERIOUSLY!???

No way. The problem is.. I dont want to go to the dealership (they always charge way too much for diagnostics or anything else for that matter)... and I dont have the money to pay $100 or whatever for them to check it out and tell me that its my fault for @!#$ with the stereo.

But.. I have received several recall notices regarding different small things. The ONLY thing I got regarding electrical was regarding the tail lights. Which I had a problem with months ago- but sort of fixed on my own.

Anyway... what exact problems did you have? I didnt get any recall stuff regarding electronics other than the tail lights. Thanks bud,

Chris




"There were some Luddites with some kind of PC-based, primitive [operating system], I think it's called Windows, who couldn't figure out how I got a TV on the plane." Trent Reznor referring to peoples reaction to his PowerBook G4 Titanium

allot of times you wont get the recall notice. recall's are done for free, no cost to you. dealership or manufacturer doesnt like to do recalss because they are doing them all for free.


http://www.flickr.com/photos/sndsgood/ https://www.facebook.com/#!/Square1Photography

I understand how recalls work... they did a recall or 2 when I brought the car in last to have them check something. Also got 2 more notices regarding recalls.. or maybe I have only gotten 2 total.. dont know, but havent gone in for the last one yet. Where can I find out about recalls? Is it only the dealership that announces the recalls or is it GM / Chevy? Thanks,






"There were some Luddites with some kind of PC-based, primitive [operating system], I think it's called Windows, who couldn't figure out how I got a TV on the plane." Trent Reznor referring to peoples reaction to his PowerBook G4 Titanium

that software upgrade is NOT a recall, its exactly that, a software "upgrade". i had something to do with emissions or something, so its NOT your problem.

if i were you i'd check all your connections to the battery to make sure that they're all nice and tight.



-----------------------------------------------------------------------

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
- Sold my beloved J in April 2010 -

also, you might just have a dead battery, ac delco's are notorious for going bad and then dripping acid from the terminal posts.



-----------------------------------------------------------------------

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
- Sold my beloved J in April 2010 -

Battery should be fine. Had the stock battery replaced a while ago when I was having issues (it wasnt the battery though.. I have the stereo installed wrong.. and it drains the battery) - so for now, whenever I turn my car off, I pull the stereo out and literally unplug the bracket from the back of the stereo. YAY!.. as for this instrument cluster problem.. could me wiring crap up wrong to the stereo cause this? Never had this problem before.. and have been having stereo problems for probably about 8 months now.. maybe longer.




"There were some Luddites with some kind of PC-based, primitive [operating system], I think it's called Windows, who couldn't figure out how I got a TV on the plane." Trent Reznor referring to peoples reaction to his PowerBook G4 Titanium

actually, the software upgrade was a recall. they havent sent letters out because it is fairly new. after this happened to my gauges, i called gm tech support/cust service. using my vin number, they looked up recalls and said there were two. tail lights and software update. they said there was no guarantee that the update would fix the problem....but it hasnt happened yet (coincidence, probaly) but then the question still remains, what could cause that. i dont have a stock batter, got a yellow top. all connections to the battery and chasis grounds are secure. and ive never removed the cluster or and computer module in the car.



Lookin' Stock - For Now!

Took the car in today.. they said there were no recalls for the computer.. only for the brake lights. The guy told me I need my stock stereo back so they can wire it back up so they can test the guages and instrument cluster since data crap went through the stereo. SO.... I have to get the stock stereo back from my mom (gave it to her to try and put in her older Blazer - but she hasnt yet) .. take it to the dealership.. they will I guess wire that back up and find out what the problem is. Everybody here told me I would be fine without re-locating the stock stereo (which is what the guys at install shops wanted to do)... so this blows.




"There were some Luddites with some kind of PC-based, primitive [operating system], I think it's called Windows, who couldn't figure out how I got a TV on the plane." Trent Reznor referring to peoples reaction to his PowerBook G4 Titanium

dude i think they are feeding you a line of s--t the is a recall on the computer of the car and all the radio controlls is you door chimes not you whole electrical system.


keep beepin azzhole im reloading!!!

Thats what I told the service guy.. about the door chimes...but he insisted that they couldnt even CHECK my instrument cluster because they have to way to hook up to it without the stock stereo - thats why when you put in aftermarket stereo's in these cars.. people run that lame data cable to the trunk where the old stereo is mounted. All I know is.. he told me there was only ONE recall - which they performed and that was the brake lights issue.

So.. now I have to wait until I get my stock stereo back - apparently... then take it to them.. have they re-install the stock one and then tell me why the instrument cluster isnt working... of course, all on my buck.




"There were some Luddites with some kind of PC-based, primitive [operating system], I think it's called Windows, who couldn't figure out how I got a TV on the plane." Trent Reznor referring to peoples reaction to his PowerBook G4 Titanium

That's bro, I had my computer upgraded after I got my stereo in (nothing is stock is about my stereo), so they're lying to you. Go find another dealership and tell them about it.

I think I experienced the same problem. my car is a little bit older though. Heres my story.

I got the car back doing the same problem. I was playing around under the hood to find out what it was and i think what fixed it was tightening the grounding strap for the battery. It turns out our cars are very sensitive with the grounds. Thats just what i experienced. Don't know if it will help you but good luck with your car..

Hmm... odd stuff. I have never dealt with the battery stuff myself except when I hooked up my power wire for the amp. The battery was replaced several months ago by a local shop behind where I work.

Havent had problems until last Saturday. Its got to be the way I have my aftermarket stereo spliced. Basically, when I got my aftermarket, they didnt have any adapters in stock so I was like "screw it" and cut off the end of the stock plug so I just had wires hanging there. Then I took the wires from the deck and spliced them into those wires. I dont know what the issue is. Maybe I should take it to the dealership, and just have them put a stock stereo plug back on the wires that I spliced.. then I can get an adapter and use that. What do you think? Thanks,

Also.. Dave - what dealership did you go to? Can I call them and ask them about the recall you got for the computer upgrade? Cuz my dealership here is telling me that there is nothing like that. Thanks,

TwitchOSX




"There were some Luddites with some kind of PC-based, primitive [operating system], I think it's called Windows, who couldn't figure out how I got a TV on the plane." Trent Reznor referring to peoples reaction to his PowerBook G4 Titanium

I have an idea! ....maybe you shouldnt buy such garbage cars and then maybe you wouldnt have stupid problems like this. Get a car that you know has less problems like this and you'll save your time and money in the long run, and if money is the problem of which it is i know, get something older that you know doesnt have such gay problems like this. OR just get a vehicle without a computer running it how about that that will solve all your problems.
My two cents for this post.

dennis greening wrote:maybe you shouldnt buy such garbage cars and then maybe you wouldnt have stupid problems like this.

Yea and thats why you dont have any cars listed.

Yeah and why should i make a list of them, you should know what im talking about. It's the cars that this site revolves around man namely your sunfires, and caviliers. Cheaply engineered products that dont last, have problems you usually cant solve yourself, save yourself the flippin shiat with newer gm/pontiac, dodge cheap ass cars, get yourself a honda or mazda at least they put some thought into there products. I have never owned a sunfire of cavi, but all i hear is @!#$ problems nothing but stupid problems left and right, but there so cheap to buy right so you guys just keep buying them. Fine with me ill just stick with my mazda truck, and keep rolling while your stuck on the side of the road wondering why you got such a pile of shiat and you knew it all along but got it anyways. Anyways im the hell offa here and never comin back i just came on here to post a bit about joeys stereo but then got side tracked by this post so yeah i figured better leave some stuff for you guys to read and probably laugh at my attempt to get an idea in your heads but will fail cause ur stuck on the fact that your 10 grand cars are so awsome, and can beat V8 driven vehicles which they can do, the thing is you'll never feel or hear the raw power of the V8.
Im outta here.
I'll see your cars under the wheels of my truck hahahaha

^^ what the hell

is this guy for real?

hes saying we drive @!#$ cars but hes on a site that is devoted to them? why.. just to talk @!#$?

its late and im tired sorry if i missed something

i had sort of the same problem anyways what happend to em is the stereo shop installed mine wrong and yah they cut a bunch of wires int he gromet so yah, they fixed it id get ur gromet checked out and if there is maybe consider calling whoever installed your stereo tat they owe liek 200 bux

id have to prove dennis jennnings wrong by saying nothing has ever been wrong with anything that has to do with my car, the only thing that i have to get fixed is the trunk cable that my dad broke trying to get something out of the trunk, i also have a friend who has a mazda that i've had to pull over and help him jump it because it wouldn't start, true story. so just because one car has problems doesn't mean they all do. so watch what you say...

100,000 miles without a problem dennis.



i love ignorant people. i can go onto any honda site and youlle hear people griping about the same issues when something goes wrong. your the type of person that believes every bit of gossip they find on the internet.


http://www.flickr.com/photos/sndsgood/ https://www.facebook.com/#!/Square1Photography