Gauges in 1993 SSEI not working !!

Hello All !!!

I have a 1993 SSEI and have been having problems with the gauges. The compass, fuel, boost, oil pressure, and the other digital one that shows the car wont work unless you punch the throttle down in drive while going down the road. Then sometimes they will come on for a second and then go back off when you let off the throttle. I was thinking this would be the alternator, but wouldn't the gauges at least come on while in park if I gave it some throttle if it was the alternator. The only other thing I can think of is a wiring problem, and when I punch it while going down the road it moves whatever the problem area is and corrects it for a second. If anyone has gone through this problem please let me know if and how you fixed it.

Thanks in advance !!!

Dave

Sounds very similar to my experience. When I bought the car, only the tach and speedometer would work with any regularity. I unplugged the two connectors from the back of the cluster and reinserted a couple of times and this helped a little. For some other Bonnie owners it has completely fixed their problems, but not mine. I even tried to resolder all of the incoming conectors on the circuit board...nothing.

I replaced it with a junk yard cluster and it is improved but the temp and oil gauges are still wonky. As I was installing the replacement, I noticed that it was a reman unit as indicated by a sticker and "graffiti" from the techs who worked on it. This leads me to believe that they have a finite lifespan.

Try simply unplugging and reconnecting a couple of times first before deciding that it's time for a replacement.

Thanks Randman !!

I had seen several posts on this subject with no replies so I was thinking this was bad !! When you say the two plugs on the back of the cluster, where exactly would that be. I put on a new alternator today, no help. Went through every plug and wire that I could find, still no help. I did manage to fix my dome lights, and fog lights, but thats a whole different deal. Is the cluster in the dash or under the hood, I found tons of big fuses by the firewall underneath a cover that I didn't know were there. There was also a gray box about 4" x 5 1/2" under the radio in the void behind the console. It had a single plug going in to a board that looks like it came out of a computer. The box was loose and looks like it should be screwed to something but it wasn't. The back of that board looks like it may have gotten wet. I don't know exactly what it is but I am wondering about it also.

Thanks !!!

Dave

Is the cluster in the dash or under the hood

The gauge cluster is right in front of you :). You'll need to bacically remove it from the dash to get at the connectors.

Remove the trim panel on the dash that extends from the left vent to the radio, the trim piece above the cluster and trim panel underneath the steering column. Remove the two steering column bolts and gently lower column. Remove the gauge cluster screws.

Now, the fun part. The two large connectors plug into the back of the cluster. Pull the bottom of the cluster out so the gauges are facing up and move the assembly to the right. This will allow some space for a hand to get in back. It's tight in there so you'll have to manuver it around a little.

Unplug and reconnect a couple of times. By doing this, the connections are kinda cleaning each other. Hopefully after this you will be all excited because your gauges work properly. If not, you more than likely have a bad cluster.

Thanks !!!

I went ahead and tore into it this morning and found what you were talking about. That didn't work, but I happened to think that the gauges worked without the car on, so I thought it might be in the ignition somehow. So I took off the panel below the steering wheel and messed the wires coming out from under the column and bingo, the gauges came on. There was a wire down there that had a splice in it before the connector. I am not sure if that was the one because there is a lot of wires coming out of there, but the gauges work so I will tuck up everything tight and hope for the best. I now have everything working electrically except the drivers side wont roll down the passenger side front window. Now I have to get a coupler in the supercharger and change out the oil in the supercharger to take care of rattling in it.

Thanks for all the help !!!


Dave