2000 Saturn SC1 Dead Instrument Cluster

Tiny
WAYERS007
  • MEMBER
  • 2000 SATURN SC2
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • MANUAL
  • 130,000 MILES
My instrument cluster gauges have all gone dead, i've checked the fuses & connectors I can reach or see but found nothing. The car runs fine!
Anybody have an idea of what I could check?
Thursday, September 16th, 2010 AT 4:30 PM

10 Replies

Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
Which gauge's don't work be specific also you have a sc2 for sure it's not a L model the larger saturn?Does your factory key less entry work if you have it?Have you taken it to a auto part's store and had them scan for code's if you haven't please do that and let me know what the code number's are.
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Friday, September 17th, 2010 AT 11:03 AM
Tiny
WAYERS007
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
My car is an SC1, not SC2, my mistake.
None of the gauges work at all, no speedo, no tach, no fuel level, no temp.
All other switches & knobs work, lights, turn signals etc. Once in a while the wipers will come on by themselves.
I have not taken the car to get the diagnostic codes yet, the cooling fan was bad & I just replaced it, was planning to go get the codes today
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Saturday, September 18th, 2010 AT 6:09 AM
Tiny
WAYERS007
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Louie, as you asked I had the car checked for error codes and there were none. It is an SC1 not a SC2, that was my mistake
The cars running fine, it just that none the gauges work at all, its like they have been turned off or disconnected.
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Saturday, September 18th, 2010 AT 11:18 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
I'm thinking possibly a bad body control module do you have a multimeter we can do some test's with?
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Saturday, September 18th, 2010 AT 9:43 PM
Tiny
WAYERS007
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  • 5 POSTS
Louie, I have a meter, at this point I checked all of the fuses with it to make sure they were actually good rather than just a visual inspection.
I can check anything you need me to, I have some training with electronics & test equipment.
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Sunday, September 19th, 2010 AT 7:29 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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All the test's for the cluster being inop start's with using a tech2 scan tool with the saturn software and commanding the gauge's to sweep you don't have that tool. You said there are no code's but you only checked the engine computer and transmission computer correct?You just went to a part's store?If so then you need to go to a shop that can check your body control module for code's and let me know if you have any code's in there and what the number's are that's where we need to start. Do your power lock's work?Also if you have factory key less entry does that work?How about your dome light does that work?
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Monday, September 20th, 2010 AT 12:09 PM
Tiny
WAYERS007
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
I went to 2 parts stores and both of them checked the same diagnostic port under the dashboard. I don't know if they only checked the engine & trans for codes.
The car does not have a keyless entry system or power door locks, it's a basic model.
The dome light is working.
Is a Saturn dealer the only folks that have a Tech2 test set or would regular repair shop have one?
Also, is there a way to reboot the control modules on this car? Like disconnect the battery for an hour or something like that?
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Tuesday, September 21st, 2010 AT 6:28 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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It sound's like a lot more then just a computer reset. The auto part's store scanner's will only read engine and transmission code's they have pretty basic scanner's. If there is a saturn dealer near most of them have closed or will be closed soon. If you can find a shop that has a advanced scanner or you will have to go to a chevy dealer if there isn't a saturn dealer near you.
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Tuesday, September 21st, 2010 AT 1:50 PM
Tiny
HAROLD DICKINSON JR.
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
My Saturn SC1 does the same thing. If I remove the Body & Body Comp 10 AMP fuses with the battery connected and the engine off and reinstall the fuses, everything works when I go to start the car. The next time I go to start the gauges work or they may not and I half to reset the fuses again. It's like a relay somewhere is tripping and the fuses resets it.
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Sunday, June 2nd, 2024 AT 5:38 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 48,345 POSTS
If all the fuses are good it sounds like the instrument cluster itself has gone bad. I would search google or ebay for a rebuilt or used unit and install it. Here is how, check out the images (below). Please let us know what happens.
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Monday, June 3rd, 2024 AT 10:11 AM

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