96 grand am instrument panel problem

[adm429]

i have 96 grand am 3.1 L . car starts and then stalls i know this is an anti theft problem. all test on ign. switch test ok. so i believe the problem might be inst. cluster but this is not the only problem.when i do get it to run all the idiot lights stay on and the only guage that works is the fuel guage.then everything will start to cycle on and off meaning the guages will work then not work. the on cycle meaning guages work lights out last about 3 to 5 seconds and the off cycle meaning guages not working lights on varys in time.now i noticed when i have the key on eng. off the low coolant light and check oil light follow the cycle above i also noticed during this cycle the light that illum. prnd321 down by the shifter get dim and the position ind. light goes on and off. if anybody has any ideas or can tell me if these problems can come from one component.any ideas will be a help because i am at a loss

[xeroinfinity]

Welcome to AF.

These models of GA did have some problems with thier clusters, going bad for what appears to be no cause at all.

Might try checking all the fuses and check the plug connector on the instrument cluster, could be a bad connection

If your car has had any leaks in the past, it could have corroded some connection somewhere in the wires(never fun to check).

Now with the start-n-stall does the security light stay on or flash?
This would indicate you are having passlock problems.
A big pita !
Sometimes this can very very hard to isolate , and sometimes you never find what is causing this problem.
And some even try and disable the passlock, which I dont recomend. I guess its about 50/50 on it working or not.

Do a search in the Grand am forum for "passlock" and you will see how common this is through out all models of GA(GM in general).

Also have you tried seeing if thier any trouble codes(DTC's) ?

[adm429]

THANK YOU FOR REPLY! i did check fuses and relays. i do get a DTC of 1629 vechicle theft deterrent-cranking sign.i can't get my scan tool to read the inst. cluster not sure if it not capable or if a problem is not letting it.i agree i may have a wiring problem does anyone know where i might get a wiring diagram. forgot the theft light stays on most of the time sometimes will flash for 10 to 15 second sometimes will flash for the full 10 min. relearn.

[xeroinfinity]

Most likly your instrument cluster is faulty.
And from what you are describing,
you have something wrong with the passlock system.

Could be the ignition switch or your pcm.

Here is a link with wiring diagrams.

[meow700]

i had this same problem with dash, car not starting and shift indicator light flashing and PND321 lights dimming. Prior to passlock problem my speedo meter would quit working while going down the highway or would jump from 0-120. So i replaced cluster with junkyard cluster, performed the relearn proceedure and that has been 50k ago with no problem yet. Anyway hope this helps!