QuestionThe speedometer, tac, blinkers, cruise, and odometer have stopped working on my car. They will pop on every once in a while but mostly they are not working. Also, my service engin soon light is on when the things work but not when they don't. I'm not sure how to fix this or reset it. Do you have any ideas that will not cost an arm an a leg? Thank you.
AnswerHello,
I have no ideas on cost without having any idea as to what the problems are. The check engine light is for emissions and means that the engine is not getting the optimum performance and mileage as designed. It is not a question of just resetting, because something (could be one of hundreds of different things-i.e. sensors, wiring, computer etc.), all depending on the code or codes derived from the computer. Pats stores commonly sell code testing equipment for low cost, but even if you determine the code and the general causation, it is not an exact science, and personally, I would take the car to a reputable repair sop (not Cadillac) where they can use more exacting diagnostic equipment, like the Tech II diagnostic scanner to pin point the exact cause of the check engine light being illuminated at times.
Now, before you do that however, the dash has to be functioning properly. This could be a bad instrument cluster with a cracked printed circuit board, or it could be as simple as a bad connection under the driver's dash at the fire wall bulk head. If this is a connection problem at the bulk head, you remove the black plastic hush panel under the dash. Remove the 7/16 (11 mm) bolt and then the connector. Spray with electrical contact cleaner, then grease up with die electric grease, put it together and tighten the bolt and see if that fixes the dash.
I would highly recommend going to http://www.alldata,com and see if they have the factory service manual for your car. It's about $30.00 for a download that will last you for a year and you would be surprised as to all the things you can diagnose and repair yourself with the diagnostic flow charts. A factory manual is one of the best investments for a tool out there..
If you find that the instrument cluster is bad, there are places that can be found on the web that can send you a rebuilt cluster with a warranty for around $350.00.
Good luck and let me know what you end up with for a solution.
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