Stupid clock

Just bought a 1998 GTX. The clock wants great, the it's gone. I know this happens a lot because my 1998 GTP does the same thing. I also had 2 other Grand Prixs (Both 1997, GT and GTP) ALL four cars have the trouble. Works great for a week to 10 days, then there gone. Get the flashing leds with lines. Then it comes back on. May stay out for as long as 5 to 6 days.
Called the dealer, they say take it out and bring it in. When we have enough we send them in. I asked how mant does it take before you send them in. Their reply was 50! I asked how long it takes. They said every other week.
Seeing that this is the same radio for MOST GMs with a CD player. Why isn't there a recall on them. I know it's the compassitor. But they want $135.00 to fix.
Anyone else with this problum? Let me know.
Thanks, Jim
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v425/kustomkid54/1998PontiacGrandPrixGTP001.jpg

So thats what that is...i just bought a 97 prix, and the clock on start up it seems every other time gets all crazy, then after a minute or two works fine until i turn off the car... Any reccomendations? How long do i have until its dead?

It seems to get faster on how long it takes to happen. And last longer when it does.
My 97 GT was out for a month. Then one day on the way to work, it came back. Lasted two days!!! Then it went out and never came back.
I have a standing order at all the bone yards in the area. When a 1997 thur 2002 come in, they call. Haven't got a good radio yet.
If it just started, you more then likely have 4 or five months before it dies. CD, and radio will still work.
Just think GM should recall them if it's that many cars have this trouble.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v425/kustomkid54/1998PontiacGrandPrixGTP003.jpg

i think that my moms 97 gpse has this problem. when you go in there and start it up after its been in the sun for a while the clock just comes on in literely pieces, it takes about 1-2 minutes for the whole clock to appear. and hey lets see some pics of that GTX!!!

The GTX is in being painted. As soon as I get it back, I'll post some pictures.
You know living in Florida has another thing about it. If the sun has anything to do with the life of the radio, I'm moving. Having two black cars, and most of the days they are parked in the sun. That stinks.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v425/kustomkid54/1998PontiacGrandPrixGTP004.jpg

Is it a sure thing, will my clock for sure die? Is there no chance for it?

If you pull it, take it to GM, they will fix it. For a $135.00. It sure seems to happen a lot. Trying to find some one to write and see why they haven't recalled them. But it hard to get them to act if it's not brakes or some other safety item.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v425/kustomkid54/1998PontiacGrandPrixGTP001.jpg

Glad you found another car,and thats cool you got a GTX,is it a GT or GTP???

Well I think I might be able to help you out on the clock light problem.
Lots of others have had the same problem. The little bulb is in a socket that contacts a solder pad on the circuit board. That contact point get's oxidized. Just remove the bulb and try cleaning the contact area With a pencil eraser and it should be good as new.Using a flat blade screwdriver, rotate the bulb base 90° anti-clockwise and the bulb will lift straight out.
There's a slight chance that bulb's burnt out, but I'd bet money on it being the contact,also make sure you re-seat the ribbion cables and that the contacts are clean.

To remove the radio, you'll have to remove the instrument panel bezel. You don't have to take the entire radio apart, just the top panel I believe. The whole repair take's about 45 minutes.

Also while your in there you may want to replace the bulb.Thanks to BINB for the write up and pics.

Start by removing the radio from your car. Once you have it in your possession, there are 8 plastic tabs that hold the front bezel to the metal chassis. Pry them gently with a screwdriver, but be careful not to break them off.

Pull the faceplate with the circuit boards attached forward just enough to disconnect the two ribbon cables. The cables will pull straight out by grasping the plastic connector and wiggling it a little bit from side-to-side to loosen them.

http://users.adelphia.net/~bpaskevich/img8.jpg

Here is a pic of the circuit board and the bulb is located on the bottom.Using a flat blade screwdriver, rotate the bulb base 90° anti-clockwise and the bulb will lift straight out
http://users.adelphia.net/~bpaskevich/img9.jpg

Here is the factory bulb. The glass needs to be removed from the base, and a new bulb soldered in it's place. A suitable replacement can be found at your local Radio Shack store.

Acceptable part numbers are:

272-1154
272-1141
272-1092

http://users.adelphia.net/~bpaskevich/img10.jpg

Hope this helps your fix and save your self some time and money.Since you would have to pull it out and send it in to get fixed,you may as well take a look first and see if this will work for you.....good luck and let me know how it goes.......~Larry~

Thanks Big L. As always, the information is great.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v425/kustomkid54/1998PontiacGrandPrixGTP002.jpg

Hope that works out ok for you...and you didnt answer my question :wink: ...is the GTX a GT or GTP......Thanks Larry

It rained all night long and look what happened to my car.






http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v285/BIG-L/Shrunkencar.jpg

Hi Larry,
Sent you an email. But it's a GTX.
If the front tires were the large ones, therain job would work out well. But I like it better the old way. You still have a nice car
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v425/kustomkid54/1998PontiacGrandPrixGTP003.jpg

Sent you an email.

YGM

~Larry~

NOW that's better. Lookin good.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v425/kustomkid54/1998PontiacGrandPrixGTP001.jpg

Does anyone know what would cause my clock to run slow. It will lose about 10 mins every week. that and the display will go crazy once in awhile.
It is a cd player in a 2000 GT

Mine does the crazy thing. LEDs normally only run slow if they don't have enough power going to them. But with that radio, the mouse might died.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v425/kustomkid54/1998PontiacGrandPrixGTP002.jpg

When i start my car my clock just goes all crazy messed up like, and it flickers and moves around and whatnot, then after a minute or two its comes back to life...she doesnt run slow though...

ALL of mine will work fine, and then go nuts. Sometimes you start the car and it's not there. The first time when it did it, I was in Ohio on my way to Michigan. From Florida to Ohio, it worked great. Then it stopped. They should recall and fix the trouble.http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v425/kustomkid54/1998PontiacGrandPrixGTP004.jpg

I have to say that my clock has been flaking for over a year now, and it hasn't died all the way, so don't lose all hope yet.

The first time the clock looked like it was in Korean. I lost hope. It has happened to EVERY Grand Prix I have owed. You would think GM could build a $1.00 clock right. But Noooooooooo
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v425/kustomkid54/1998PontiacGrandPrixGTP004.jpg

Glad you found another car,and thats cool you got a GTX,is it a GT or GTP???

Well I think I might be able to help you out on the clock light problem.
Lots of others have had the same problem. The little bulb is in a socket that contacts a solder pad on the circuit board. That contact point get's oxidized. Just remove the bulb and try cleaning the contact area With a pencil eraser and it should be good as new.Using a flat blade screwdriver, rotate the bulb base 90° anti-clockwise and the bulb will lift straight out.
There's a slight chance that bulb's burnt out, but I'd bet money on it being the contact,also make sure you re-seat the ribbion cables and that the contacts are clean.

To remove the radio, you'll have to remove the instrument panel bezel. You don't have to take the entire radio apart, just the top panel I believe. The whole repair take's about 45 minutes.

Also while your in there you may want to replace the bulb.Thanks to BINB for the write up and pics.

Start by removing the radio from your car. Once you have it in your possession, there are 8 plastic tabs that hold the front bezel to the metal chassis. Pry them gently with a screwdriver, but be careful not to break them off.

Pull the faceplate with the circuit boards attached forward just enough to disconnect the two ribbon cables. The cables will pull straight out by grasping the plastic connector and wiggling it a little bit from side-to-side to loosen them.

http://users.adelphia.net/~bpaskevich/img8.jpg

Here is a pic of the circuit board and the bulb is located on the bottom.Using a flat blade screwdriver, rotate the bulb base 90° anti-clockwise and the bulb will lift straight out
http://users.adelphia.net/~bpaskevich/img9.jpg

Here is the factory bulb. The glass needs to be removed from the base, and a new bulb soldered in it's place. A suitable replacement can be found at your local Radio Shack store.

Acceptable part numbers are:

272-1154
272-1141
272-1092

http://users.adelphia.net/~bpaskevich/img10.jpg

Hope this helps your fix and save your self some time and money.Since you would have to pull it out and send it in to get fixed,you may as well take a look first and see if this will work for you.....good luck and let me know how it goes.......~Larry~
Hey im having the same problem but i cant see the pics on here, if you can resend them or repost them on how to do this that would be great, thanks!

ok i got an idea now on how to replace the bulb behind the sterio display, now my next issue, how do i correctly and carefully remove the dash cover to access the sterio screws, i know its all one piece right? if anyone has any pics or detailed instructions on how to do this let me know, thanks!

Does anyone know what would cause my clock to run slow. It will lose about 10 mins every week. that and the display will go crazy once in awhile.
It is a cd player in a 2000 GT

my 2000gt does the same thing only about 5 min a month.
dsplay goes crazy as well.

If you pull it, take it to GM, they will fix it. For a $135.00. It sure seems to happen a lot. Trying to find some one to write and see why they haven't recalled them. But it hard to get them to act if it's not brakes or some other safety item.

Hey Kid: I would call this a safety issue I'm going to end up rear ending someone screwing around trying to figure out what radio station I'm on when I should be watching the road.

.

Hey Kid: I would call this a safety issue I'm going to end up rear ending someone screwing around trying to figure out what radio station I'm on when I should be watching the road.

.

I sent an email to Big-L to see if he will relist this with pictures. But he hasn't made it yet.
I have it saved, but, it's an email an won't show pictures.

Another good source for this fix. Credit to Brian Paskevich.

http://users.adelphia.net/~bpaskevich/index_files/Radio_Lamp_repair.htm

Another good source for this fix. Credit to Brian Paskevich.

http://users.adelphia.net/~bpaskevich/index_files/Radio_Lamp_repair.htm


That's it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

those pics are good, and they work too, its described good to in the in pics, thanks

ok, i soddered in the new bulbs, i put in 2 bulbs instead of just 1 so its nice and bright, cause when the headlights come on the bulbs get dimmer, i put in 2 of the 272-1092 12 volt 60mA radio shack bulbs, 2 of those bulbs shouldnt generate enought heat to melt or damage anything would it? do those bulbs even give off alot of heat? theres a few holes in there for any heat to escape out of or should i just have 1 bulb in there?. just was wondering, someone let me know please, thanks!

Glad you found another car,and thats cool you got a GTX,is it a GT or GTP???

Well I think I might be able to help you out on the clock light problem.
Lots of others have had the same problem. The little bulb is in a socket that contacts a solder pad on the circuit board. That contact point get's oxidized. Just remove the bulb and try cleaning the contact area With a pencil eraser and it should be good as new.Using a flat blade screwdriver, rotate the bulb base 90° anti-clockwise and the bulb will lift straight out.
There's a slight chance that bulb's burnt out, but I'd bet money on it being the contact,also make sure you re-seat the ribbion cables and that the contacts are clean.

To remove the radio, you'll have to remove the instrument panel bezel. You don't have to take the entire radio apart, just the top panel I believe. The whole repair take's about 45 minutes.

Also while your in there you may want to replace the bulb.Thanks to BINB for the write up and pics.

Start by removing the radio from your car. Once you have it in your possession, there are 8 plastic tabs that hold the front bezel to the metal chassis. Pry them gently with a screwdriver, but be careful not to break them off.

Pull the faceplate with the circuit boards attached forward just enough to disconnect the two ribbon cables. The cables will pull straight out by grasping the plastic connector and wiggling it a little bit from side-to-side to loosen them.

http://users.adelphia.net/~bpaskevich/img8.jpg

Here is a pic of the circuit board and the bulb is located on the bottom.Using a flat blade screwdriver, rotate the bulb base 90° anti-clockwise and the bulb will lift straight out
http://users.adelphia.net/~bpaskevich/img9.jpg

Here is the factory bulb. The glass needs to be removed from the base, and a new bulb soldered in it's place. A suitable replacement can be found at your local Radio Shack store.

Acceptable part numbers are:

272-1154
272-1141
272-1092

http://users.adelphia.net/~bpaskevich/img10.jpg

Hope this helps your fix and save your self some time and money.Since you would have to pull it out and send it in to get fixed,you may as well take a look first and see if this will work for you.....good luck and let me know how it goes.......~Larry~

Hey Larry,
I bought a 97 GP GT last year. The clock works, you can see it if the sun hits the led just right, also the blower control does not work in the 1 or 2 speed position, but 3 on up is fine. The former owner said it was a part that would cost about $100 to fix. After seeing this post I wonder if the two are related at all. Any help here?

Does anyone have the pictures from the above reply...there not there anymore..?

Thx
ss

Does anyone have the pictures from the above reply...there not there anymore..?

Thx
ss

Probably not. BigL has decided to leave us because he now has a GTO and KustomKid54 (our friend Jim) recently passed away which means the photo hosting service accounts have been closed.

and KustomKid54 (our friend Jim) recently passed away which means the photo hosting service accounts have been closed.

use the ones in the link..
http://users.adelphia.net/~bpaskevich/index_files/Radio_Lamp_repair.htm

wow..im sorry i went on AF hiatus for so long..just searched.. :eek: :frown: :frown: aww i remember he used to brighten my boring work days up back in the day..may he RIP..

wow..im sorry i went on AF hiatus for so long..just searched.. :eek: :frown: :frown: aww i remember he used to brighten my boring work days up back in the day..may he RIP..

Here is Jim's (KustomKid54) in memory of post we had a while back if you'd like to add to it.

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=540925&highlight=kustomkid54

My 97 GTP is an electrical nighmare, same thing with the clock, 1 min. it is fine then it looks like it's at a party jumping everywhere, has not died though. I have had my GTP for year and a half and clock is still working. Knock on wood! :rolleyes: