98 Saturn SL2 Gages die

SCSIGRL

MEMBER
1998 SATURN SL2
4 CYL
89,013 MILES

The first time I take my 1998 SL2 out (in the garage but it's cold here) it drives fine but then the gages (speed, RPM and all) shutter down to 0 then pick back up. It's an intermittent problem happening 3-5 times (I don't drive very far). It only seems to do it on the very first outing of the day but not after that. Dealership is not finding anything and can't duplicate the issue. The engine runs as normal during all this, no sputters or anything, just the gages.

5 Replies

SATURNTECH9

MECHANIC
30,869 POSTS

So how long does the speedometer and rpm gauge go down to 0 and stay there while driving?Do you have any code's?Also next time the gauge's go to 0 try smacking the cluster area where the gauge's are with your hand and see if the gauge's go back up. Let me know.

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Monday, February 28th, 2011 AT 5:09 PM

SCSIGRL

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3 POSTS

The shutter down for a few seconds and then go back to normal. They don't ever stay "off" for more than a few seconds. I don't have to do anything to make them start working again, they just come back to life. Sorry, no code's.

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Monday, February 28th, 2011 AT 5:55 PM

SATURNTECH9

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You could have a loose connector on the back of the cluster housing that's one thing that could happening.

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Monday, February 28th, 2011 AT 6:00 PM

SCSIGRL

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3 POSTS

And that wouldn't have tripped anything on the computers? Should I look at a Chiltons for the part? Would it be easy for the untrained eye to see?

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Monday, February 28th, 2011 AT 6:02 PM

SATURNTECH9

MECHANIC
30,869 POSTS

Everything doesn't always set code's etc. You would have to remove the dash top to get to the connectors on the cluster.I would remove the dash top then with the engine idling watch the rpms on the gauge and move the connectors going to the cluster around and see if the rpms drop. To remove the dash top there is two small cover's in the center of the dash pop those off. Then remove the two 7mm screws under the cover's. Then at the edge of the dash where the top meet's the dash carrier towards the seat's there are clip's that hold the dash top in place all along there. Get a large flat blade screwdriver gently pop up the dash all along that edge. Then pull straight up that edge and pull the dash top out but make sure you clear the vin plate on the drivers side by the windshield that will give you access to those connector's.