gauges gone wild

[mikecastner]

I have 1998 Plymouth neon it does this more in the hot month than the cold month but I am drive down the road and the dash cluster will go out no tach, speed, no gauge, mileage will not work but all dash light, signal light, high beam all will work. It seam that when it cools off some, some time a minute some times a few minutes when it comes on the seat belt and air bag light come on or you can turn off the key for a few seconds and it will come on, bums will not make it go out or come back on. What can it be?

[Oldsmobile Doctor]

Check this thread it worked for me..Thanks das2123

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...hlight=cluster

[typete02]

Had the same problem with my 1996, I am told the neons are good for this. I took the dash cluster out and resoldered a couple of pins based on what I had found on the internet. There was a couple of pins that had obvious solder cracks, once I fixed this it has been working just fine. I think it was on youtube that I found the process.

[danz409]

ok. i just recently bought myself a 99 neon. great car! sounds and feels like its in a SOLID running order mechanical wise. however. there are a few problems with the car. one of which is the instrument cluster. and that is a very useful video. however i can't seem to find the normal means of removing the cluster from the car itself. i only can find 4 screws on the lower panel under the steering wheel. anybody know where i can find a guide or tutorial on how to remove the panel in a non "HULK SMASH" fashion?

oh and other 99 neon owners beware... this car isn't a very good boat.. or anything else that's water proof.

this thing gets pools in it with the slightest of rain... at first i was wandering what the "no diving" sticker was doing on the back of the headrest... it all makes since now. in fact. I'm keeping it there

[Oldsmobile Doctor]

Dash pad pulls up than pulls to the rear. As for the water the tail lights leak at the seal to the body.

[danz409]

thanks. ill have a look at it tomorrow. I'm experienced with soldering. work with electronics commonly so that part should be a breeze. as for the seal around the tail lights. i know the one around the truck was kinda messed up. i fixed it today... kinda, it needs glued so it won't keep coming off. would that of caused the water?

the passenger side mirror is also off. i had a friend pour a bucket of water on the car wile i was inside looking. i saw some trickle between the door and body but none came in.

[danz409]

when i saw the title of the thread.. i loled a bit. then made this.

[danz409]

Originally Posted by Oldsmobile Doctor

Dash pad pulls up than pulls to the rear. As for the water the tail lights leak at the seal to the body.

worked like a charm. got to it easly. and soldered in no time. however i don't think thats the problem. it looked good. but i did so anyway to prvent it in the futor. i think the problem might be the computer is too wet or something on the computer end. takeing rest of the dash apart now to find it and have a look at it.

Note: the plastic used in these cars is extremely fragile!
the slightest bend trying to remove it from the car due to those friction tabs cracked the thing all the way down...

[danz409]

anybody? please. i could use this car to get me from A to B knowing how much gas i got and how fast I'm going. may need to do some long distance traveling here soon

i looked over everything. re-soldered connections it all looks good. connections are solid. board looks good. fuse is good. only thing i haven't been able to check is the on board computer.

[danz409]

anybody? please. i could use this car to get me from A to B knowing how much gas i got and how fast I'm going. may need to do some long distance traveling here soon

i looked over everything. re-soldered connections it all looks good. connections are solid. board looks good. fuse is good. only thing i haven't been able to check is the on board computer.

[das2123]

You may need to add some solder to the pins. But all you really need to do is heat it up and watch for the color change. That should take care of the problem.

[danz409]

Originally Posted by das2123

You may need to add some solder to the pins. But all you really need to do is heat it up and watch for the color change. That should take care of the problem.

already did that. added solder to all the connectors and any that didn't have much

[DAVE K]

The o.p. looks like I wrote it,I've been giving it a rap but have wondered if there was a fuse that was bad.I assume the speedometer is hooked in to all this?most the time I drive by the tach when it is working.
Here lately though none of the gauges work sometimes. But mostly just the speedometer.

[das2123]

Dave K, if just your speedometer and odometer aren't working you need to take a look at your VSS (Vehicle Speed Sensor). It is located on the rear portion of your transmission on the driver's side. It may be disconnected, oil may have gotten in there or it may have gone bad on you. It is held in with 1 10mm bolt.

[DAVE K]

Originally Posted by das2123

Dave K, if just your speedometer and odometer aren't working you need to take a look at your VSS (Vehicle Speed Sensor). It is located on the rear portion of your transmission on the driver's side. It may be disconnected, oil may have gotten in there or it may have gone bad on you. It is held in with 1 10mm bolt.

Thanks I will check it out.Silly question though:would that affect the fuel gauge and temp.gauge?and fix itself when I rap the dash?You bet I will look at the VSS.Sorry das guess I didn't mention that my fuel and temp. gauges would quit working.

Many thanks