97' Grand AM Electrical Troubleshoot? *ANY HELP PLEASE*

[munzy]

I'm having some trouble with the electrical connections in my 97' Grand Am.
I've had no problems with this vehicle until I started noticing a build up of water on the front driver and passenger side floor.
I've taken it in to the dealer who quoted me $300 to find and fix electrical problem. He said it was due to some corrosion on the underside of the car and then quoted me $1600.00 to 'bondo' that problem (apparently the engine would need to be removed to fix the rusting).... ahh hem! I wanted a seconded opinion? Here's the problem?

1) Car starts fine...runs and sounds good. I've noticed while running the shifter light flickers and the dot indicating position is all over the place (flickers from park to drive to 1st, 2nd..does not stay in a fixed position)?

2) About ten minutes into the drive sensor lights ALL turn on (abs, theft, oil, engine, ect...) and the RPM gauge and Engine Coolant gauge drop to zero suddenly?

3) Besides ALL the sensor lights being on and two gauges dropping out...it runs perfect. (scratches head??)
Head lights, signals, windows, radio, heating system all work fine?

Any insight would really help?
Sure I'm a girl but $2000.00 for a loose or charred wire and some bondo.....COME ON!! Hate to get suckered to find out it was a fuse or something easy?

[munzy]

Wanted to add that the speedometer works fine while this happens.
The dealership said that the instrument cluster was dry and looked good?
If that helps?

[Biker920]

Originally Posted by munzy

Wanted to add that the speedometer works fine while this happens.
The dealership said that the instrument cluster was dry and looked good?
If that helps?

water in floor? if engin coolant get heater core fixed.If rain water clean out cowel pocket drain on firewall under hood. now start checking wiring connections & grounds good luck.

[munzy]

Thanks for the suggestion.
Not engine coolant and my heater core was replaced last winter.

[xeroinfinity]

Welcome to AF munzy !!

Sounds to me like its leaking in behind the strut towers. A usual leak on these model GA's. Best way to get to that is from under the dash up on the fire wall.
The carpet and mat need pulled back to access these areas. Then just knock off the rust(dont pull any of the old sealer out!) and silcone it closed!

Your instrument cluster could just be going out, this to is a typical problem for this model. You can find used ones and rebuilt ones on fleabay.