Instrument panel not working, engine shut off while driving

Tiny
TWFROMINDY
  • MEMBER
  • 2007 BUICK LA CROSSE
  • 3.6L
  • 6 CYL
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 72,000 MILES
My car wouldn't start without a jump, though the battery was only a few months old. I had the battery replaced and drove 2 blocks when it shut off and wouldn't start. The mechanic checked and said it was the fuel pump, so he towed it and replaced the pump. The car still wouldn't start, and he said the ECM was bad, so it was replaced. Still wouldn't start and he said the BCM was bad, so it was also replaced. He said the car wouldn't accept the re-learn process, so I had another mechanic get the car. He found they had broken a part while replacing the fuel pump and the car wasn't showing it was in park. He repaired this and it started and runs fine. However, the instrument gauge still isn't working (it worked prior to all of this). The mileage does show, but it's registering. I'm hoping this is something I may be able to repair or at the least, not get taken again (the old BCM was still in the car and the second mechanic said it tested fine). I would appreciate any help.
Saturday, January 15th, 2022 AT 10:33 AM

4 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
Hi,

When you say instrument panel, are you referring to the lighting, gauges, speedometer, or something other?

The first thing I would like for you to check is the cluster fuse in the interior fuse box. I attached a pic below of its location.

When you check the fuse, first confirm it is good. If it is, then confirm there is power to and from it. Here is a link that will explain how that is done:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-fuse

When your vehicle wouldn't start, did the starter engage? If it didn't, chances are the park issue was the cause the entire time.

One other thing, just be prepared. The body control module (BCM) provides a lot of input to the instrument cluster.

Let me know what you find.

Joe

See pic below.
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Saturday, January 15th, 2022 AT 7:17 PM
Tiny
TWFROMINDY
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Thank you for your help. I'll check the fuses tomorrow. As far as the instruments are not working, it's the fuel gauge, speedometer, etc. I just got the car back, so I don't know about the lights because it was during the day. The mileage does show, however it isn't changing.
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Saturday, January 15th, 2022 AT 8:18 PM
Tiny
TWFROMINDY
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
One thing I forgot to mention, the reason my last mechanic said the piece was broken when repairing the fuel pump was because it was a "fresh" break. The car won't release the key if not in park, and it did release the key after initially shutting off as well as when I went back to the car when they came to tow it. When the last mechanic went to tow the car to his shop, the key was in the ignition, and they told him it would no longer release the key.
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Saturday, January 15th, 2022 AT 9:27 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
Hi,

It sounds like you have had a difficult time with this. I'll try my best to help get the cluster working again for you. Let me know what you find with the fuse. If it's good and has power, then we will need to start checking wiring.

Take care of yourself and I'll watch for your reply.

Joe
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Saturday, January 15th, 2022 AT 9:51 PM

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