2000 Buick Century Mileage/Gear Selector Light?

[pdi1776]

The display has gone out on the Mileage / Gear Selector. Could it be a short in the wiring, some sort of dimmer switch problem and if so how difficult is it for someone with no automotive repair experience to fix? Any ideas and suggestions would be most appreciated. Thanks

 

[TDIXON]

It is probably a ground or a fuse it could be the cluster itself. If you have no experience Id say to check fuses and if there all good take it to a mechanic as tearing into a cluster can be a major job. You can easily destroy stuff if you dont know what your doing.

 

[rlcomp]

The whole instument cluster needs to be replaced, Mine was flickering and dimming and then one day it just went out. It is very costly, not sure how much and it is not a job for a amatuer. The only reason why I would need to get the fixed would be for state inspection to record the mileage. Other than that I knw what gear I am in and it is sometimes nice to use the trip odometr for various reasons, but I deal.

 

[geobar]

Most likely the cluster because it is a very common failure. On my 03, the front panels of the dash needed to come off -- not difficult, no special tools, just a little time consuming figuring out how. My cluster was held in with four hex head screws, and only one electrical connector needed to be undone. Salvage yard clusters can be bought for about $100, but the odometer mileage will be different. There used to be a guy on eBay who could repair your existing cluster for about $100 and give a lifetime warranty, but there would be a week to 10 day turn around.

 

[rlcomp]

That sounds like a plan to me. Does anyone know how the laws work regarding odemeter. I live in PA and it seems like they a strict about this stuff. If I get a cluster that says 50,000 miles on it and mine has 130,000+. how does that work with odometer disclosure laws.

 

[beken]

The odometer reading can be reset to match what your car has. However, you have to get a certified mechanic (don't know if that happens in the US) to register sign something to say that the mileage on the odometer is an estimate as close to what he thinks it should be as possible.

 

[century61]

What has happened is that the cheap resistors that GM uses and the little bit of soldier has come loose on the cluster board. I had the same problem with my 2002 Century and fixed it in about an hours time. I found it pretty easy to remove the dash cover and pull the Cluster out of the car. There is alot of help available thru some older posts about this problem. I replaced 4 resistors (150 Ohm, 1/2 watt) on my cluster and everything is back to normal. Radio Shack sells them and cost me one buck for about 5 in a pack.

Im a DIY kind of guy. If you are not used to soldering then just get a cheap solder iron and some solder. Practice on a few bare wires on junk and learn. It will save you alot of money in the long run. Then if the 2000 century is anything like mine - Remove the side covers on the dash, Remove 2 screws (one on each side) and pull the front cover off. Then remove 4 screws holding the dash cluster in and pull it out. Unhook the data cable and take it to the work bench.

century61