99 Alero Strange Things Happening

I just bought a 99 alero 3.4L V6 2 door. I bought it from a family member and they have had it for 6 years and have not had any problems with it. It just turned 100,000 miles.


Radio volume cuts out and then turns up by itself on ocassion
Gas gauge drops to empty when sitting at a drive through (plenty of gas in it)
Speedometer went wacky - I was driving though a parking lot and the speedometer slowly went from 10mph to 140mph then back to 0mph then to 10mph
Water leaks in trunk and behind the drivers seat
Chirping noise coming from the steering wheel when I turn
18mpg - is this normal?
Sometimes it dies after I start it or I have to hold the key longer for it to start. It usually runs rough for a min then runs fine (only on occassion)Anyone have any ideas??

I just bought a 99 alero 3.4L V6 2 door. I bought it from a family member and they have had it for 6 years and have not had any problems with it. It just turned 100,000 miles.


Radio volume cuts out and then turns up by itself on ocassion
Gas gauge drops to empty when sitting at a drive through (plenty of gas in it)
Speedometer went wacky - I was driving though a parking lot and the speedometer slowly went from 10mph to 140mph then back to 0mph then to 10mph
Water leaks in trunk and behind the drivers seat
Chirping noise coming from the steering wheel when I turn
18mpg - is this normal?
Sometimes it dies after I start it or I have to hold the key longer for it to start. It usually runs rough for a min then runs fine (only on occassion)Anyone have any ideas??

radio is controled by the speed control volume (SCV) on the head unit. usually when the gauges act up that means ur alternator is starting to fail. gas mileage should be between 16-20 city 24-32 highway (these r rough numbers) gas gauge should only float over like 2 gallons when ur sitting if its more than u have a problem.

I dont think the stock delcos have SVC on them. :grinno:
Maybe the Bose systems do, not sure tho..

Your speedometer might be low volatge..

Your leaks, do you have a sun roof ??
If so then your drains are clogged or damaged leaking in the headliner, or your trunk.

Noise in the steering column could be the rubber boot by the fire wall rubbing when you turn.

18 mpg , probly time for a major tune up.
Plugs/wires, new O2 sensors, and a fuel system cleaning, clean the TB and IAC, which is probly contributing to your rough idling and hard starts.

Hope that helps.