Crazy Gauge Cluster Lights
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 359
Crazy Gauge Cluster Lights
Well guys, I did a search but think my problem is a little different than some of the other posts. The Car is a 99 SEL 5 Speed with 150,000 miles.
6 Months ago I was driving and the gauges would go all wacky for awhile and then eventually the car would stall. This was at night after about 1 hr of driving. So I think lets replace the alternator. If you let it sit overnight the car runs fine. Seems to be an issue after awhile of driving. I check the volts across the battery and read 12.0V. So I go get the alternator replaced and the problem disappeared for 3 months. Then it happened again..
So..Then another 2 months pass and now its happened twice in one week. Where the gauges go crazy and then the car will die as soon as I take it out of fifth gear through neutral. SES Light shows a P0500 code. This is more than gauge related because its causing the car to shut off.
Possible fixes include:
1.) Checking Ground Terminals on various points of car
2.) Checking Battery (I don't have any hard starts..)
3.) Checking VSS (this should only cause speedo and odo issues. I have a whole gauge cluster that is whacky)
4.) Relays and Switches...apparently they can act wacky with heat.
5.) Solders on back of instrument cluster (this wouldn't cause the car to shut off would it?)
Another observation I have is its always happened at night. Also, could the alternator stop working after 30 min? Maybe go bad after its been hot for awhile but return once cool? Any suggestions? This sounds like such a PITA that I may just deal with it until I get a new car unless it becomes a real hassle.
Thanks,
Jason
6 Months ago I was driving and the gauges would go all wacky for awhile and then eventually the car would stall. This was at night after about 1 hr of driving. So I think lets replace the alternator. If you let it sit overnight the car runs fine. Seems to be an issue after awhile of driving. I check the volts across the battery and read 12.0V. So I go get the alternator replaced and the problem disappeared for 3 months. Then it happened again..
So..Then another 2 months pass and now its happened twice in one week. Where the gauges go crazy and then the car will die as soon as I take it out of fifth gear through neutral. SES Light shows a P0500 code. This is more than gauge related because its causing the car to shut off.
Possible fixes include:
1.) Checking Ground Terminals on various points of car
2.) Checking Battery (I don't have any hard starts..)
3.) Checking VSS (this should only cause speedo and odo issues. I have a whole gauge cluster that is whacky)
4.) Relays and Switches...apparently they can act wacky with heat.
5.) Solders on back of instrument cluster (this wouldn't cause the car to shut off would it?)
Another observation I have is its always happened at night. Also, could the alternator stop working after 30 min? Maybe go bad after its been hot for awhile but return once cool? Any suggestions? This sounds like such a PITA that I may just deal with it until I get a new car unless it becomes a real hassle.
Thanks,
Jason
I don't think that the alternator has anything to do with your problem. The P0500 speed sensor code is probably due to a connector problem on the back of the instrument cluster. There are 3 cables that plug into the instrument cluster and maybe one is coming loose or the contacts may be tarnished. Remove the instrument cluster and check these out. I've seen other people post that an instrument cluster from a junk yard is around $25.
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