96 Bonneville, Have couple of problems...

I did some searching on the forum and haven't found exactly what i'm looking for.

I just bought a 96 Bonneville SE as my daily driver. It has 139k miles.
The problem i'm having is mostly with the Gauge cluster.
The Fuel gauge doesn't go past the first line. It always stays in the crossed checked area. I filled the tank full, and it moved just a bit, but then after a while, it goes down and the Check Gauges light comes on, which is anoying. Don't know where to start on this one.

Next problem is the Watter temp gauge. It doesn't move from the very low which is 100. the next mark is 200. After maybe driving for like 30min or so, it will move a little bit, but not much. Don't know if that's how it's supposed to be or what.

Another problem is ABS light seems to stay on. I read a bit on the forum here and it seems to be a common problem with these cars. I don't have money right now for replacing sensors, so i'll just take the bulb out, unless you guys have any other suggestions.

Last problem i had is for some reason when i started it tonight, it started surging for a second. It was very cold outside, so as soon as i started it, the rpm's went up and down between 0-2000, the lights kept going off and on, and some other warning lights kept coming on and off. I tapped the gas a bit and held it at 3k for a second or 2 and it stoped doing that, but then the check oil level came on. I checked oil prior to that and it was fine. I checked it again and it's still fine.

So i started it up again, and everything was fine, no warning lights or anything, other then the normal problems mentiond above.

Thanks a lot guys for all your help.

Well I don't have the surging problem anymore, but i would really like to know what to do about Fuel gauge. That's my only problem now.

Thanks

Anybody?

I don't have a service manual for a 96 but this might help.

The sending unit operates via a variable resistance output to the gauge. 0 ohms = Empty and 90 ohms Full. You can start by disconnecting the harness that goes to the fuel tank. When you turn the ignition on, the gauge should read Full, very full, as this would be an infinite resistance.

If it reads Full then the sending unit is faulty.

If it still reads Empty then you either have a faulty gauge or a short in the wire going from the sending unit to the cluster. This should be a purple wire.

I read somewhere that 93's models had problems with gauge doing exacly like mine. The solution was to put a 2k ohm resistor in line with Purple wire and black/white one. I guess there was too much resistance or something.

Well, anyway i have tried this and had no luck. I will try your way and disconnect it and see what happens.

I have replaced the cluster, thinking it was the gauge itself, but it wasn't.

Amel

That 2k resistor trick seems like it would put the gauge input way over what it would see for a full tank (90 ohms). I'm on my second cluster and have some strange anomalies that still presist but most of the kinks were removed by 96.

That 2k resistor trick seems like it would put the gauge input way over what it would see for a full tank (90 ohms). I'm on my second cluster and have some strange anomalies that still presist but most of the kinks were removed by 96.


What is the "cluster" you are referring too? Where is it located on a 1996 SE?

Thanks...