1996 - no tach, no temp & all dash lights light up

[Engudai]

1996 Pontiac Sunfire w/AC
Manual Transmission (5-speed)
2.2L 4cyl

This problem began aproximately one month ago when i was dealing with the theftlock system. Theftlock problem is no longer occuring (pulled the alarm fuse and replaced it), but now....

All of the lights on the instrument cluster are lit. Tachometer and temperature gages zero out once the car is in gear and moving. Radio power is intermittent when the vehicle is in motion. All dash lights, headlights and brakelights are lit up about 2/3rds as bright as they used to be. 160,000 miles on the car.

My guess would be the computer is going bad? Any help would be much appreciated. My email address is [email protected] - Thanks!

[Engudai]

OK I figured it out. It seems that a secondary ground wire had broken in half. The location of the wire was from the negative ground terminal on the battery to the bottom of the battery holder. This wire was NOT the main ground, but it sure did cause many electrical problems. Hope this helps someone.

[email protected]

[Rick0822]

You know, when my problem, 100% exactly like this started, I changed the negative battery cable with a generic replacement without the secondary connection, )knowing the cable and secondary connection were bad and not thinking the secondary connection was important). But before I changed it I had this problem, it wouldn't even run, so now I bet if I clean up my rotted old cable, and re-tap the battery holder and connect it it should fix my problems, and run again. you helped me a lot, thank you!

[Engudai]

Sure thing Rick, i hope it helps! Let me know what you find out.

[97cavy]

I have the same issue, but I dont even see a 2ndary wire. (97 cavy 2.2)

What guage should it be? Any pic of where it connects so I can make one? (I am at work, so I am not in front of my car)

[Engudai]

97CAVY:

What you'll probably need is a drill, screw and nut + washer and just drill a hole through the plate that the battery sits on. Make sure its metal and bolted to the frame. I would recommend running about an 8 to 6 gauge wire. Run this wire from the negative terminal on the battery to the pad the battery is sitting on. Good luck and let me know what you find.

Alan~