Cluster light not working

Tiny
BUCK04
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO
  • 100,000 MILES
I have a Oldsmobile alero I can't figure out why the dash lights won't work. I have checked all the fuses they are all good. Is their another thing I can do to fix it or try to fix it. There was a recall on the hazard switch witch made the blinker quit working. I have already fixed that. I made sure the dimmer switch is on.
Saturday, July 27th, 2013 AT 12:28 PM

12 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 48,363 POSTS
Hello,

Here is a guide and a wiring diagram so you can test for power and ground at the cluster. It looks like there is an auto lamp relay that could be causing it.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-an-electrical-relay-and-wiring-control-circuit

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-test-light-circuit-tester

Please let us know what happens.

Cheers, Ken
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Saturday, July 29th, 2017 AT 7:30 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
The light is for a engine control malfunction. We need the code to further help you.

Roy
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Saturday, July 29th, 2017 AT 7:31 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MOTIVA
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 80,000 MILES
Electrical problem
2003 Oldsmobile Alero 6 cyl Two Wheel Drive Automatic 80,000 miles

Although my car is off I have my oil and battery light on! What should I do?
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Saturday, July 29th, 2017 AT 7:31 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KNOWYOURAUTO
  • MECHANIC
  • 113 POSTS
Without walking you through the wiring diagram and checking for power outputs and grounds checks, the problem very likely lies with the ignition switch.

When the key turns a series of electrical contacts are formed passing electricity to various vehicle components. When shutting the car off they are broken.

Either the ignition switch is failed or a B+ wire has shorted/melted to the wire powering your instrument lights. Tracking down a short can take hours, even for a professional.

If you would like to attempt the fix, replace the ignition switch first. If you think you can trace the short you will need a test light with long 10' leads and we can assist you with it.

Good luck.
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Saturday, July 29th, 2017 AT 7:31 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MOTIVA
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Thank you!
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Saturday, July 29th, 2017 AT 7:31 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KITKAT18
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2004 OLDSMOBILE ALERO
2004 Oldsmobile Alero 4 cyl Front Wheel Drive 72.000 miles

3 DASH LIGHTS ARE ON THE SVS. THE ANTI LOCK, AND THE TAC OFF. ARE ON, I HAD MY FRONT BREAKS CHANGED 3 WEEKS AGO AND I HAVE 4 NEW TIRES THAT ARE ONLY 5 MONTHS OLD. PLEASE HELP IAM A LADY WHO DOESNT WANT TO BE TAKEN TO THE CLEANERS WHEN I TAKE IT IN TO BE CHECKED OUT. COULD IT BE THE BREAK FLUID IS LOW. THANK YOU FOR ANY HELP ON THE 3 LIGHTS BEING ON.
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Saturday, July 29th, 2017 AT 7:31 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ERNEST CLARK
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,730 POSTS
If you take your car to AutoZone or any other major parts store, they'll scan your computer for free. This will give you the "Codes" that the computer sets when these lights come on.

Write me back when they give you the codes and I'll help you from there.

***NOTE***
Whenever your dash lights come on, that means you computer is trying to tell you something. It's recommended that you stop driving immediately and have the computer scanned to see what it has to say.

Continuing to drive you car can cause further damage, and cost you more.
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Saturday, July 29th, 2017 AT 7:31 PM (Merged)
Tiny
POPPLEWELLRL
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2001 OLDSMOBILE ALERO
Brakes problem
2001 Oldsmobile Alero 6 cyl Automatic

my car when I start to drive has 3 lights that come on in the dash board. Check engine soon, trac off light, and abs comes on. The car seems to drive ok and brakes seems fine. What do I need to check
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Saturday, July 29th, 2017 AT 7:31 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
You need to have your cars engine and abs code's checked to see what number's you have let me know what the number's are and I can get you some trouble tree's for them.
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Saturday, July 29th, 2017 AT 7:31 PM (Merged)
Tiny
PATICAKES51
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 116,000 MILES
Brakes problem
2002 Oldsmobile Alero 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic 116000 miles

my dash lights for Service Vehicle soon, Anti loc, and Trac off keep coming on while driving, I have checked the fuses and they appear to be fine. What else could be wrong?
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Saturday, July 29th, 2017 AT 7:31 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KIMCOUS
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
I had this same problem with those lights coming on everytime I started the car. I took the car into a dealer and they hooked up the computer and checked the error codes. Turns out I had bad wheel bearings on my front right tire. Might be something similar.
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Saturday, July 29th, 2017 AT 7:31 PM (Merged)
Tiny
GKATTER
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Had same symptoms with my 2002 4 cyl. Also, my anti-lock system would sometimes kick in when pulling into a parking space causing me to overshoot a bit.

The technician at a local brake specialty place spent 2 hours checking the leads for everything before suggesting the problem is likely a faulty Electronic Brake Control Module (dealer price $1000), I've not yet contacted a dealer to have it checked but haven't seen the warning lights or unexpected anti-lock operation since. Hopefully just a loose connection that diagnostics resolved.
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Saturday, July 29th, 2017 AT 7:31 PM (Merged)

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