Oldsmobile/Buick Repair: 98 Olds Intrigue will not start, fuel gauge, single mom

Question
Hi Van, My car will not start. First they said it was the cables, got those tightened, and it started. But the fuel gauge was messed up (had jumped the post, showing way past full) Opened the dash to repair that myself and now the car will not do anything, no lights music ding nothing Could I have missed reconnecting something in the dash if so please give me some help! Or maybe do I need to reset something? I am a single mom who desperately needs some diy help. (PS. the dials all go haywire when you try to start the car) Thank you very much, Struggling Single Mom

Answer
Hello Edna,
By all means, remove the cluster again, and reconnect it.
Before unplugging it, look closely at the connector to see if something out of the ordinary can be spotted.
A dirty or loose connection could be all it is.
I would reconnect it, and try to start it before actually sticking it all back in if possible.


As for the cables, rather than just tightening them, I would recommend removing and cleaning them, then tightening.

To jump the peg, the gauge would almost need to be connected directly to battery voltage, which a wrong connection could do, or reverse polarity.

Van