99 Camaro...crazy guage cluster help

[buick85gn]

Ok i recently bought a 99 Camaro 3.8 5spd. The car runs and drives perfectly but seems to have some electrical issues which is not my strong point. Ok for starters the Service Vehicle, ABS Inop, and Brake light always stay on. The air-bag light goes on and off randomly. Also the tach is VERY sluggish. I mean like i can jump on the gas and the motor will go up to say 5k then like 2 seconds later the tach jumps up there then you back off and the tach just sticks there for a few seconds. Im really not sure where to start as far as fixing this problem. Also its sorta a crapshoot as to whether or not a scan tool will connect with the car...sometimes it will and sometimes it wont. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks guys.

[Mr. Logger]

Re: 99 Camaro...crazy guage cluster help

How is the voltage? I have heard of folks with wacky gauges, and the cause was a faulted alternator. They got a new one, and all was well.

[buick85gn]

Re: 99 Camaro...crazy guage cluster help

Voltage stays around just above halfway so around 14 or so. Would would just unhooking the wire to the alternator and just running from the battery to check the gauges diagnose that problem? I dont mess with to many newer cars so not to used to all this crap.

[RadRacer]

Re: 99 Camaro...crazy guage cluster help

Check the ground right by the battery on the fenderwell. Clean it up and make sure it's nice and tight; that's seems to be the usual problem for the ABS, Brake, and Airbag lights. Check the fuses too; IIRC, the cigarette lighter fuse controls the OBDII port as well, so if it's gone the port won't operate.

[vanbibber]

Re: 99 Camaro...crazy guage cluster help

more than likely a ground strap. start tracking them down.

[buick85gn]

Re: 99 Camaro...crazy guage cluster help

Ok im at work for the night but ill clean and check all the grounds under the hood when i wake up tomorrow. (think i remember seeing like 3 major ones) I was told the BCM could be a culprit but i really have no idea. Ive already been through all the fuses so thats not the problem either. Also just a quick question...is there a aftermarket straight pipe that goes from the air box to the TB that does away with the saddle bag looking pos thats there? Thats gotta be pretty sorry design for induction.

[RadRacer]

Re: 99 Camaro...crazy guage cluster help

Get a whisper lid and you'll be set as far as intake goes; BCM could be the culprit, but seeing as how expensive they are, I'd check your grounds first.