Gauge problem

[binster]

I know this is a loose connector, since it fixes itself going over a good bump. Today I pulled the dash apart, and reset the cluster connection on the passenger side, but did not reset the connector on the driver side. Seems the cable is short and it needs to be disconnected from other end to pull out of the dash further??

Has anyone seen this.. Pointers to which harness connector is the culprit? I am wondering if it's on the control module under the dash??
Voltmeter is only gauge that works, and speedo has some garbage on the display.

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii281/binster1234/Prowler/DSC02049.jpg

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii281/binster1234/Prowler/DSC02050.jpg

[EssexExport]

No idea. That sux. Might it be a chip?

[binster]

Doubt it is electronics failure since a good bump fixes it. Folks are saying clockspring, which I don't get. I would expect that to do weird things like airbag warning light and steering wheel control malfunction.

[Pepe]

did you remove the shifter bezel recently OR the steering wheel ?

[binster]

did you remove the shifter bezel recently OR the steering wheel ?

No.. This prob creeped up on me.. At first was about once per month I saw, now it seems every time I start up.. problem is there.. First speed bump in my neighborhood usually clears it up. When driving, the speedo read zero until the problem goes away.

[TooHipCat]

Any other electrical problems? How old is the battery?

Have you tried disconnecting the battery terminal ends for about 10 minutes? Cleaning the tops of the battery posts...then reinstalling?

This may not do it but you have to start with the basics.:wink:

Sorry Ken...I didn't know that you were already working under the dash.:tinfoil:

[binster]

Any other electrical problems? How old is the battery?

Have you tried disconnecting the battery terminal ends for about 10 minutes? Cleaning the tops of the battery posts...then reinstalling?

This may not do it but you have to start with the basics.:wink:

Sorry Ken...I didn't know that you were already working under the dash.:tinfoil:

Brian - Battery is about 18months old. I recently had the bat disconnected when I did my stereo upgrade. Problem existed before and after the upgrade - so don't think that is my trouble spot.

[1buddyc]

Ken, the problem is your Clock Spring. Doesnt sound like it should be the Clock Spring but it is.. # 4865243AB. $137.75 Good Guy price.

[binster]

Ken, the problem is your Clock Spring. Doesnt sound like it should be the Clock Spring but it is.. # 4865243AB. $137.75 Good Guy price.

Thanks Buddy - I am going to try letting the steering wheel fly up tonight.. See if that simulates my bumpy road fix.. Now I am kicking myself for not replacing it when I changed the steering wheel last year.. Was tempted since it was a easy PM job then.

[GeoProwler]

Ken, the problem is your Clock Spring. Doesnt sound like it should be the Clock Spring but it is.. # 4865243AB. $137.75 Good Guy price.

Ken,
Buddy is correct. Your Prowler is doing the exact same thing mine did until I changed the Clock Spring.

[binster]

Thanks all.. ordered clock spring today.. I'll take pictures of installation so the nexy guy has some tips.

[TooHipCat]

I'll take pictures of installation so the nexy guy has some tips.

Thanks Ken!!! Much appreciated!!!:tu::bows

[binster]

Update here..
Today I changed the clockspring.. Guages still do not work, and the symptom changed a little. Now there is no garbage characters on the odometer.. it is blank. Tach works, and voltmeter works as before..

Manual points to possible BCM or PCB on the cluster.

I checked the Fuse 11 and it was ok.

Any ideas before I take it to the dealer so they can hook a tester up to it?

[NDPENDANT]

I had a speedo cluster go bad on me. I changed out the guage and the main circuit board last week and so far so good. There are multiple connections of your guages to the main circuit board, it could be that board if multiple guages have gone out at once. Since the voltmeter I believe is on a seperate circuit board from what i saw there are 2 boards behind the guages, it may be the main board behind the guages in the main compartment. The board was about 140.00 new. Speedo was 120 or so. Not a difficult change to do. I purchased the new cluster and circuit board together. The dealer wanted 600 for parts and add in labor of 3 hours.
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[binster]

I had a speedo cluster go bad on me. I changed out the guage and the main circuit board last week and so far so good. There are multiple connections of your guages to the main circuit board, it could be that board if multiple guages have gone out at once. Since the voltmeter I believe is on a seperate circuit board from what i saw there are 2 boards behind the guages, it may be the main board behind the guages in the main compartment. The board was about 140.00 new. Speedo was 120 or so. Not a difficult change to do. I purchased the new cluster and circuit board together. The dealer wanted 600 for parts and add in labor of 3 hours.
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I tried pulling the cluster out and could not get the connector on the driver side. Seems there was not enough slack the cable to get my hand behind the cluster to remove. Did you have similar experience when you pulled yours out?

[NDPENDANT]

I pulled the cluster straight up then pushed it back to the dash. It was then I could get my hand behind there to get the clip. there is a small tab on the top that you have to lift up to get the clip to come off. After that, if you cant get that one, try to get the passenger side one then rotate the whole thing out a little. It helped to stand and look through the windshield at it to figure out which way to pull it up. If you still have a problem let me know or give me a call.
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[binster]

Well.. Dealer is saying it is PCB boards in the cluster.. they are ordering 3 boards.. I'm going to let them do the work, since they are telling me if it is not the PCB.. No charge. Should get boards in in about 1 week.

[01Prowler]

I had a similar problem with my Mulholland after I purchased it. It was in and out of the shop for at least a month.... I finally figured out the problem on my own. It was just a loose fuse..... Might not be your problem, but after numerous parts replaced on mine that's what ended up being the fix.

[TooHipCat]

II finally figured out the problem on my own. It was just a loose fuse..... Might not be your problem, but after numerous parts replaced on mine that's what ended up being the fix.

WOW...such a simple fix.:tu:

[Dfotopro]

I had a similar problem with my Mulholland after I purchased it. It was in and out of the shop for at least a month.... I finally figured out the problem on my own. It was just a loose fuse..... Might not be your problem, but after numerous parts replaced on mine that's what ended up being the fix.

And can you tell us which one was loose :confused::confused::confused:

[01Prowler]

I can't remember which one it was it was one of the fuses on the end of the dash.... I would assume it would have been 10,11,or 19

[binster]

Well - all fixed, just picked it up. They ended up replacing 3 of the circuit boards in the cluster. Dealer claimed they saw each gauge come operational after they put the part in.. Not 100% sure I believe this story, and I got the used parts back. Just happy it is fixed. Hopefully my experience will save someone $$ in the future. I let the dealer install the parts since they were not going to charge for parts if that was not the problem. Overall, I feel OK with price.. just slightly raped. Total bill was $750 which included getting my car aligned ($100). Dealer charged me $500 for the parts, and $150 for labor. Parts look like they could be bought for under $200 online - so, typical dealer raping occurred here - but only charging $150 labor was a good deal.

Parts replaced were


5010273AB - Instrument panel - Cluster and switches - Circuit board - Speedometer
4883182 - Electrical - Instruments & gauges - Printed circuit board Printed circuit board, prowler, volt 1997 - 2001
4883183 - Electrical - Instruments & gauges - Printed circuit board Printed circuit board, prowler, oil 1997 - 2002

[EssexExport]

Good to hear that problem's gone.

[NDPENDANT]

Binster,
the swap isnt all that difficult, just slow because of all the screws in the back of the cluster panel and its a little disconcerting to be handling the circuit boards but its not hard at all to do. I agree the red and blue clips on the back of the cluster are difficult to get to, but are actually easy to reconnect. Glad its fixed, mine was driving me nuts as well until i fixed it.
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