!HELP! Odometer Not Reading!?

[madmike3.8II]

I have a 97 RS and I just noticed yesterday when I filled up with gas that my odometer isn't working. The bulb in the dash has been burnt out for about a month, and I thought it may have had something to do with that...dumb wishful thinking again. Replaced all the bulbs in the gauge cluster and everything lights up and all gauges are functional, except my trip meter is still reading zero and my odo is reading 78,xxx and NOT counting. Called autozone, federated, and the local GM/Chevy dealer with the usual run around. "something electrical" -no duh.

-another thing. I noticed about a week ago is that the cruise control doesn't work.

So far I have tried the normal "shade tree mechanic" plan of action and checked all the fuses (none bad) followed the cable from the throttle to the cruise control module (about to drop that out to inspect it) but the cables and wiring all look fine, no bare wires and no hanging plugs. The dealership claimed it may be a faulty gauge cluster and that they would check it for $90 but I find it odd that the cruise doesn't work as well, thinking maybe the two are connected issues somehow. Anyway I'm out of ideas and out of money to take it to a shop and just say FIX IT.

ANY IDEAS?? :rant:

[g9m1c]

Re: !HELP! Odometer Not Reading!?

did you shake it when you took it out to see if there were any loose parts? I had a piece of plastic break behind my trip meter had to pull it out and jb weld it back together.

[madmike3.8II]

Re: !HELP! Odometer Not Reading!?

did you shake it when you took it out to see if there were any loose parts? I had a piece of plastic break behind my trip meter had to pull it out and jb weld it back together.

I assume you mean the gauge cluster, and I just went out and shook it (all night long) - ha but no loose parts there.

*Update*
I removed the Cruise control module and the wiring connector and cable that goes to the throttle all seem fine. Currently in the process of checking the vehicle speed sensor although I don't believe that's part of the issue because the speedometer works fine. Still searching for IDEAS and SUGGESTIONS. thanks! :(

[pbryant_knight]

Re: !HELP! Odometer Not Reading!?

I'd say it's a bargain for the re-sale value :)

You'll have a VERY low milage car for the year :)

On the serious side though, could it be a dry joint/loose wire from the speedo signal sender?

Peter

[madmike3.8II]

Re: !HELP! Odometer Not Reading!?

Mr. Knight- Yes it is very low mileage, but it IS ACTUAL so I'm thankful for it, but the sad part is I need to get 'er fixed so I can sell it to someone without them thinking I'm lying about the fact that it JUST stopped working recently. . . bit of a pickle.
But thanks for the suggestion, I'm getting ready to get into the dashboard to check the loom.

It's odd that you mention dry joint? have you had an issue like this before?

[madmike3.8II]

Re: !HELP! Odometer Not Reading!?

*Update*
It's not the vehicle speed sensor. Put a voltmeter on the sensor and spun the tires, output changed, so according to Hayes manual the VSS is working properly... I can't believe nobody out there hasn't had this kind of issue before.

ughhhh...I hate electrical issues... back to the drawing board.

[Rob Bell]

Re: !HELP! Odometer Not Reading!?

I looked up the schematic in the Haynes manual p. 12-52. I think you have a bad connection to the odometer inside the cluster. There is only one signal wire (dark green and white) that feeds the 4000 pulses/mile signal to the cluster. You know the cluster is receiving the signal because the speedometer works.

This dark green and white signal wire also appears at the cruise module. If the cruise module is also getting the signal, then I'd suggest checking the other wires at the cruise module, especially the ground, to ensure the cruise module is getting power and not getting a signal telling it not to engage. There are lots of different inputs, any of which could prevent cruise from engaging if they are not working correctly.

I'm betting that the odometer is not getting the 4000 pulses/mile signal due to a broken connection inside the cluster. You know the signal is getting to the cluster since the speedometer works. I'll also bet that the cruise module is receiving the pulsed signal, and that it's another wire providing a non-engage signal, or a bad ground.

[pbryant_knight]

Re: !HELP! Odometer Not Reading!?

Yeah, that's what i meant, not the actual wire to the speedo, but the transitional connection from the speedo to the Odometer.

[madmike3.8II]

Re: !HELP! Odometer Not Reading!?

Mr. Bell!

Thanks so much for the info! From what you wrote it sounds like you're talking about the wiring inside the gauge cluster assembly? or are you talking about the wiring loom behind the dash? Lemme know what you meant. I will tear into it asap.

*Update*
I buttoned everything back up last night because I had to get to work early this morning, and noticed that the cruise control is now working, but the "cruise" light on the cluster isn't lighting up when it's engaged. Strange.

[pbryant_knight]

Re: !HELP! Odometer Not Reading!?

I was thinking the dash cluster itself.

[ACiFiC]

Re: !HELP! Odometer Not Reading!?

Check your fuses.

[Rob Bell]

Re: !HELP! Odometer Not Reading!?

Yes, I think it's the circuitry inside the cluster. I have no idea what it looks like in there, but I'm assuming it's a big circuit board like a computer or something. If you can, maybe you can use a magnifying glass and a continuity tester to trace the signal path from the input to the speedometer and also to the odometer section. You may even be able to solder a wire to jump it in case the circuit had a break somewhere.

[madmike3.8II]

Re: !HELP! Odometer Not Reading!?

Check your fuses.

I have already done this, as stated in the original post.

Yes, I think it's the circuitry inside the cluster. I have no idea what it looks like in there, but I'm assuming it's a big circuit board like a computer or something. If you can, maybe you can use a magnifying glass and a continuity tester to trace the signal path from the input to the speedometer and also to the odometer section. You may even be able to solder a wire to jump it in case the circuit had a break somewhere.

That's what I figured you meant. My uncle is really good at repairing circuitry, so maybe I'll pay him a visit tomorrow, and we'll look it over. I'll keep you updated. Thanks again!

[madmike3.8II]

Re: !HELP! Odometer Not Reading!?



Ok, here's the back of the gauge cluster. I can barely see in between the assembly to see some wires. from the back side I don't see anything out of the ordinary (mind you I'm not a circuit board pro) but from what I can see here, theres no bad connections/blacked out solder. I'm currently trying to figure out how to get the darn assembly apart without breaking anything. has anyone ever done this? I don't wanna pry any more on it in fear of cracking the circuit board. I removed what looked to be the only three torx head screws holding in the plug connection, but I'm stumped beyond that.
Thanks again to all who gave their input/expertise.