Well, I posted on this before...

My gauge cluster stops working, at first I would be driving and EVERYTHING would go dead. The tach would die, the speedo, fuel, oil pressure, then it would boot up like normal sequence of a car start. All the lights would light up and go to normal working position, and die again at random intervals. I replaced the gauges fuse and it fixed my problem for a week and a half. Then the problems came back, same old thing.

This past week my tach and speedo have not even been working period. No startup and fail, just failed from the get go. The wierd thing is, my fasten seatbelt light worked.

I had my battery checked today, and was told it was bad. The green light on top was very dim. Replaced the battery and notice now my tach, speedo, seatbelt or any accessory light for that matter don't work. The trip/mile meter doesn't light up. My lights seem fine, my power windows work like a champ. The only things that work on the gauge cluster are the dash illumination and the oil meter pressure meter. I checked the fuse and everything is ok, I replaced it for the hell of it. I drive it around for a few hours, no luck. Then got home, and started the car back up in my driveway, my tach and speedo and all my guage lights were working for 20 seconds although I noticed my tach and speedo jump way up when I started the car and slowly fall back down. reved the car and tach worked, then after 15 seconds all died.

I guess my next stop is the dealer, but everytime I seem to walk in there I get a call telling me the damages are at least $500+. Hell, they wanted $185 to replace a burnt out bulb in my right fog light.

Anyone know how expensive an instrument panel cluster is? My car is NOT under warranty.

Here is the TSB, but I am not sure...I have alot more problems than just my trip meter resetting to zero

.....

Trip Odometer - Automatically Resets to Zero
(Exchange/Install Instrument Cluster)

TSB# 99-08-49-009

1999 Chevrolet Camaro
1999 Pontiac Firebird

Condition: Some customers may comment that the trip odometer resets to zero when starting the engine.

Cause: Ambient temperatures below 0°C (32°F), combined with low battery voltage, may cause the trip odometer memory to be erased when starting the vehicle.

Correction: To identify the instrument panel cluster part number, use the following procedure ...

... If the part number is shown in the table as the old part number, install a new part number exchange cluster which has had the new circuit board with the non-volatile memory chip installed. Order the cluster from your A/C Delco(R) Service Center. DO NOT ORDER A CLUSTER FROM GMSPO.

Also,

The ONLY thing I think MIGHT be related is that I unhooked my Monsoon head unit and pulled it out. I removed it from the wire harness and that is it. I don't see how this could be related to my problem or even a cause. I am thinking it's just coincidence.

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Chris Anderson
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Black 99SS M6 all SLP Options
Mods - Cutout, Direct-Flo Lid, GMS MAF, Hurst Shifter with Chrome Handle, Bridgestone Potenza RE730 Tires.
Best ET 13.60 @ 104.31
Best MPH 13.92 @ 108.81

 

New Instrument Cluster - $407.

I wonder if it's loose - there's a connector that the whole assembly plugs into in the back of it. I haven't removed mine yet, but I got instructions and a diagram if you want it.

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'99 Z28 A4 BLACK
▪ SLP air lid, K&N filter, air box mod, Borla exhaust, HPP3, 160* stat, Magnecor 8.5 mm wires, NGK TR55 plugs
▪ Pioneer DEH-P77DH, Polk speakers