Dash Problems with '96 SSEI

[dduffy]

I have a 1996 Bonneville SSEI. As of late I have been having problems with the dash. The gauges flucuate rapidly for different periods of time, almost everytime I am driving it (or idling). It does not affect the speedometer or the rpm gauge and does not interfere with the actual running of the car. I've had it to the shop and they have no clue what could be causing the problem (other then it may be possessed LOL). Any ideas what this could be?

[randman1]

The oil, temp and boost gauges have their own circuit board. Although no one can seem to find a schematic of this board, I believe that it contains the power supply for those three gauges. When the power supply fails, all three gauges either don't work at all or they all "dance" as they begin the start up sweep and then suddenly stop.

Earlier SSE/i clusters (92-95) were more prone to this failure. I have replaced the cluster in my 93 three times and what is in there now is a mutt of two of the replacements. I parted out a 97 SSEi and installed that cluster in my 93. Everything worked except the fuel gauge was inaccurate due to a different sending unit range and method of driving the gauge. I removed the oil, temp and boost gauge board from it and installed it in cluster replacement #3. Everything works fine now.

You can do one of three repairs:
1) Get a 96 cluster from a junk yard, ebay or other online source and replace your entire cluster. More than likely your mileage will be different so consider this if you are to sell it later on

2) Get a 96 cluster from a junk yard, ebay or other online source and replace only the the board that drives the three gauges.

3) Have your original cluster repaired. This will probably cost $130+ but usually comes with a warranty. Problem is that you have to remove the cluster, send it out (and maybe have to drive the car with no cluster for a few days), and reinstall it upon return.

There was once a guy that repaired GM clusters that advertised on Ebay. I no longer see this add so you might want to do a Google search for "GM cluster repair"