2005 Chevrolet Cavalier Logo
Anonymous Posted on Sep 26, 2009

Instrument gauges quit working

I own a `05 cavalier in `07 is when the gauges started to act up 1st was the temp gauge would peg out , then over time each of the other gauges would act up as well . have pulled fuse many times ( no good) have to turn ignition key on several times now to reset gauges(gets old). would the battery cause this ? live in fla extreme daytime heat as well and battery is close to the hood and ive noticed my clock has been loosing timeas well. any ideas ? Thanks.

  • 2 more comments 
  • Anonymous Oct 01, 2009

    I went to local parts store the ran a trouble code scanner on it and found no active fault codes .

  • Anonymous Oct 01, 2009

    I went to local parts store the ran a trouble code scanner on it and found no active fault codes .

  • Anonymous Oct 01, 2009

    I went to local parts store the ran a trouble code scanner on it and found no active fault codes .

  • Anonymous Oct 09, 2009

    ok i cleaned off the ground end that they bolt to the battery box bottom , installed a ground strap from that to the body , one gauge acting up yet is the tach and ill watch to see if my clock is still losing mins. thanks for your help.

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  • Posted on Sep 27, 2009
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Run scanner for trouble codes, some auto parts stores will do this for free

Testimonial: "Thanks for the help i have yet to run it by to a parts store to check codes , just frustrating having a low milage car and the gauges go wacky. "

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  • Posted on Oct 09, 2009
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My 05 did the same thing. come to find out it was my ground from my motor to my chasis. so i ran a new ground from the battery to the body and fixed the problem.

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  • Posted on Oct 07, 2009
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The cavalier has a fully computerized gauge system. Your computer may be overheating or is simply faulty. Its a dealer fix unfortunately.

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07 g6 3.5l temp gauge and air cond stoped at the same time !!!

Could be for the air con but not temp gauge . Having it checked for DTC's diagnostic trouble code's is first thing that should be done . Don't know how much you know about the electronic's on your vehicle , Control modules , serial data communication networks an the like . An 07 G6 , Pontiac ? The Temp. gauge gets it's info from the engine computer (PCM) via GMLAN serial data bus . Plus when you push the A/C button , this is an input to the BCM - body control module ,which sends a message on the data bus to the PCM - engine computer , which in turn will energize the compressor clutch relay ,turning on the A/C .So you see the complexity of the vehicle . GM has had problems with step motors in the instrument clusters . These step motors are what control the needles in the gauges . That doesn't mean run out an buy a new instrument cluster . Your best bet is take it to a GM dealer , Chevy , Cadillac , Buick . They have a factory scan tool that can simplyfi diagnoses rather then just replacing parts .
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Temp gauge pegging out, but engine isn't hot to the touch.

You could replace the sending unit to cross it off the list of possible problems.
You could check resistance cold and then with the engine at normal temp too. The gauge on the dash could be faulty too.
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Guages not working,

If all voltages checked ok,then most probably its faulty instrument cluster board on which gauges are connected.Yes if cluster circuit board looks ok,then also it can be faulty.Somewhere there is minute short or burn on board then such prolem arises.
Also check the fuse box.One under hood and other under dash.Inspect each and every fuse and see if all are fine or not.
---------------For more troubleshooting on these cluster gauges i suggest you to refer the list of help links mentioned below.Its step by step instructions will help you to confirm the exact cause of problem in these conditions:---------
Click the link below:------

2004 Toyota Tundra: Oil Gauge and Temp Gauge Not Working?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.in/2012/05/2004-toyota-tundra-oil-gauge-and-temp.html

--------------

2005 Lexus SC430: Fuel Door, Dome light and Fuel Gauge Fuse Location?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.in/2012/05/2005-lexus-sc430-fuel-door-will-not.html
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Toyota 4Runner: Temperature Gauge Sensor

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/04/toyota-4runner-temperature-gauge-sensor.html
------------

Temperature gauge sits over half way mark?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/04/temperature-gauge-sits-over-half-way.html

---------------

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http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/heater-blows-intermittently-and-temp.html

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http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/temperature-gauge-does-not-move-and-no.html

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http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/06/2003-pontiac-grand-prix-erratic-fuel.html


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http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/temperature-gauge-keeps-fluctuating-up.html


-------------

Temperature gauge on the dash quit working on Pontiac Grand Prix?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/temperature-gauge-on-dash-quit-working.html

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http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/fuel-gauge-jumps-from-empty-to-full.html

--------------

Gas gauge stuck on empty on 2002 Mercedes Benz 240c?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.in/2012/02/gas-gauge-stuck-on-empty-on-2002.html
---------------

Oldsmobile Temperature Gauge Lamp Switch?

-----------------


Fuel gauge drops to Empty?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/fuel-gauge-drops-to-empty.html

----------------

Dodge neon gauges not working?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/dodge-neon-gauges-not-working.html

------------


Temperature gauge went up?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/temperature-gauge-went-up.html

------------

Temperature gauge stays At cold on jaguar?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/temperature-gauge-stays-at-cold-on.html
-----------


How to replace Instrument panel and dashboard on Toyota car?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.in/2012/02/how-to-replace-instrument-panel-and.html

-----------

How to remove instrument panel on Chevrolet car?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/how-to-remove-instrument-panel-on.html

-----------

How to remove control panel on Buick regal?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.in/2012/02/how-to-remove-control-panel-on-buick.html
---------------
These details will help.Thanks.
0helpful
1answer

No guages working

If all voltages checked ok, then most probably its faulty instrument cluster board on which gauges are connected. Yes if cluster circuit board looks ok, then also it can be faulty. Somewhere there is minute short or burn on board then such problem arises.


Also check the fuse box. One under hood and other under dash.

Inspect each and every fuse and see if all are fine or not.


---------------

For more troubleshooting on these cluster gauges I suggest you to refer the list of help links mentioned below. Its step by step instructions will help you to confirm the exact cause of problem in these conditions: ---------


Click the link below: ------


2004 Toyota Tundra: Oil Gauge and Temp Gauge Not Working?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.in/2012/05/2004-toyota-tundra-oil-gauge-and-temp.html

--------------

2005 Lexus SC430: Fuel Door, Dome light and Fuel Gauge Fuse Location?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.in/2012/05/2005-lexus-sc430-fuel-door-will-not.html

----------

Toyota 4Runner: Temperature Gauge Sensor

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/04/toyota-4runner-temperature-gauge-sensor.html

------------

Temperature gauge sits over half way mark?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/04/temperature-gauge-sits-over-half-way.html

---------------

Heater blows intermittently and temp gauge goes erratic?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/heater-blows-intermittently-and-temp.html

----------

Temperature gauge does not move and no heat when heater is ON?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/temperature-gauge-does-not-move-and-no.html

-----------

2003 Pontiac Grand Prix: Erratic Fuel Gauge?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/06/2003-pontiac-grand-prix-erratic-fuel.html

-----------

Temperature gauge keeps fluctuating up and down close to red?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/temperature-gauge-keeps-fluctuating-up.html

-------------

Temperature gauge on the dash quit working on Pontiac Grand Prix?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/temperature-gauge-on-dash-quit-working.html

---------------

Fuel gauge jumps from empty to full?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/fuel-gauge-jumps-from-empty-to-full.html

--------------

Gas gauge stuck on empty on 2002 Mercedes Benz 240c?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.in/2012/02/gas-gauge-stuck-on-empty-on-2002.html

---------------

Oldsmobile Temperature Gauge Lamp Switch?

-----------------

Fuel gauge drops to Empty?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/fuel-gauge-drops-to-empty.html

----------------

Dodge neon gauges not working?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/dodge-neon-gauges-not-working.html

------------

Temperature gauge went up?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/temperature-gauge-went-up.html

------------

Temperature gauge stays At cold on jaguar?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/temperature-gauge-stays-at-cold-on.html

-----------

How to replace Instrument panel and dashboard on Toyota car?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.in/2012/02/how-to-replace-instrument-panel-and.html

-----------

How to remove instrument panel on Chevrolet car?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/how-to-remove-instrument-panel-on.html

-----------

How to remove control panel on Buick regal?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.in/2012/02/how-to-remove-control-panel-on-buick.html

---------------


These details will help.

Thanks.

2helpful
1answer

My gas and temp gauge doesnt work. When i turn on the car they spin all the way around. i never know how much gas i have.

This is common on the 03-05 Cavalier instrument clusters, it's caused by failing stepper motors on the cluster's circuit board and can be fixed. Check out this site for more on how to get it repaired - Cavalier gas gauge broken
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Fuel gauge needle way past full, holding temp needle down so I cannot read temp either! 2005 with no low beams. Could problem be related?

Most likely this is the common 03-05 Cavalier instrument cluster problem where the stepper motors on the cluster's circuit board go out. It can be fixed, check this page for more on how to get it taken care of - Cavalier fuel gauge broken
1helpful
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Gauges misreading bigtime

instrument cluster and buy and extra per gm quality
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