IP Cluster 00 Regal LS

Oh well, a gremlin finally infiltrated my IP cluster and the odometer/trip digital
display went dim on me. Searched the forum, and have seen that a few of us have experienced this dillema. Have seen that there is a DIY repair. But I have one other problem. I am not a good solderer or a solderer for that matter. I can take the unit out myself. Can someone suggest or reccomend
a repair service other than my local dealer. Also I might add that my fuel gauge fluctuates. Are both instances related to the dreaded soldering of the internal resistors. Thank you

Most GM dealers can't do anything about repairing the IP either. There is a company called Southern Electronics is at 1-800-572-2880 that repairs IPs for a flat rate. Same one the dealers use.

On the fuel gauge issue hard to say without further troubleshooting the output of the fuel level sending unit, etc.

Thank you BNaylor for the response and info of Southern Electronics. Will follow up and call the phone # you provided. You mentioned that its likely that the fuel sending unit could be the culprit for my gauge fluctuating. Is this unit located internally within the fuel tank. Do you recommend to just have it replaced anyways. Again thanks

How bad is it fluctuating or what specific readings are you getting?

Most fuel gauge problems is the level sending unit which is part of the fuel pump pod assembly and can be replaced separately without wasting big bucks on the complete fuel pump assembly. However, in your case I would get the IP repaired first and then see just to be sure. You can do the work DIY and save money on labor. We have a thread posted at Grand Prix Tips & Maintenance with pics to give you an idea of the work involved. Regal and Grand Prix is the same. See link below.

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=739278

The readings I'm Getting are as follows. When I fill up the tank its fine. As I'm using up the fuel the indicator starts to decrease normally. When I shut the car off and restart in the am, the low fuel indicator will light up and ring a few times. But this occurs when the gauge is close to 1/4 of a tank or slightly less than a 1/4. Sometimes upon restart, it will shoot up to or close to 1/2 a tank, but while I'm driving it will decrease itself to I guess the right amount of fuel. The only indicator I'm going upon to see if I'm low on gas is the trip odometer (dim as well), when I reach about 230 miles I'm pretty much due to fill up again (13-13 1/2 gal. to refill at the point). I will take your suggestion and repair the IP cluster first. Then lets see if the gauge problem
persists.

BTW, Thanks again ACE.

Based on your description it sounds more like the fuel level sending unit. I had similar problem with our '99 Regal LS. I replaced the part in about 1 hour total labor time. You can get the fuel level kit for around $85 from a discounted AC Delco parts source. The GM dealers want too much for it.

I believe you hit the nail on the head again BNaylor. As I was driving home from work, the gauge was fluctuating. Going upgrade it would indicate a lil less than 1/2 tank, then on some what level surface start to decrease itself. But on a downhill it would decrease to a 1/4 almost to empty at times and then back up past a 1/4 when leveled off for sometime. Looked at the link
you sent me for referance and it looks like an easy fix. Only questions I have
is if the level sending unit an internal part of the fuel pump or external. And
if there is a particular brand to purchase (e.g. AC DELCO ). On a lighter note,
for the meantime I will try to save some gas by driving uphill. LOL. Thanks again.

The sending unit is actually a separate part and mounts on the outside of the plastic anti fuel splash shield. It will come with the resistor wiper portion, the float and a wiring harness with electrical connector jack. I don't believe the aftermarket has the part available separate from the fuel pump assembly but GM/AC Delco does.

Here is the one I replaced in the pic. Also, note some people claim cleaning the wiper portion helped since fuel additives may cause a build up interfering with the operation however some had the problem show up later taking the cheap way out and not replacing the part. If you need a reliable and reasonable AC Delco source send me a PM.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y186/lizzywiz/fuelsender.jpg