2003 Regal Problems

[Regal]

I have a 2003 Regal LS. I have recently been having a lot of issues with it.
The 1st issue is the gas gauge. It started out that when it would get low on gas it would say it was full all the time. Now (as of 2 days ago) it doesn't read at all, and it also dives down to empty and the low fuel light and warning bell of off, so needless to say I can't even tell how much gas is in it. What do I need to do to find/fix this problem?

Issue number two. I have a P0442 code on my car. I'm pretty sure that it isn't the gas cap being screwed in all the way. What else could it be, and how hard is it to fix?

Issue number three. My digital odometer isn't working any more, except for on that very very rare occasion that it will actually come on for a short period of time. I've been told that I should take the cluster out and replace the resistors on the board, which I haven't had a chance to do. Will changing the resistors fix the problem or is it something else?

Now for the final issue. Ever since the day I bought this Regal (2 years ago) I have noticed that is always to to run hot in the summer, never to the point of overheating, but hot enough that it alarms me some because none of my other cars have ever run that hot. Is this just a regular thing for these cars or do I need to flush the cooling system and change the thermostat?

 

[SwitchPitch]

That's a decent little list of issues for such a "new" car I would say. Well, probably just normal, but seems a lot since they've been ganging up on you without having any of them fixed right away.

...
The 1st issue is the gas gauge. It started out that when it would get low on gas it would say it was full all the time. Now (as of 2 days ago) it doesn't read at all, and it also dives down to empty and the low fuel light and warning bell of off, so needless to say I can't even tell how much gas is in it. What do I need to do to find/fix this problem?

For the gauge, I hate to suggest just throwing parts at it, but often enough the sending unit can go bad on you before the fuel pump does. Usually the pump goes first, and you can replace either it alone, or the pump and sender as an assembly so you don't have to deal with it again anytime soon.
Depending on where you are though, it could be rusty grounds, loose or broken wires, loose connections, or all of the above.
Sounds like a bit of testing is in your future. You can at least pull the rear seat out without too much drama and pull the inspection cover to see if the connector or any of the wires are suspect.
Since you're having other cluster issues too, it's possibly related. So look down that avenue first maybe?
The low level light coming on almost says to me sending unit, but with these modern electronics, nothing is always cut-and-dry.

Issue number two. I have a P0442 code on my car. I'm pretty sure that it isn't the gas cap being screwed in all the way. What else could it be, and how hard is it to fix??

I forget, but is that the "small evap system leak" or "large leak"? Or something else? You mention cap, so I didn't bother searching.
It can still be a cap, if it's old. I've had to replace them after only three or four years before, and that fixed the issue.
Otherwise, it can be a leak in any one of the hoses or fittings or tanks in the evap system.
The caps and the system can be tested pretty easily at one of the smog-inspection stations around here. Any reasonable shop should be able to do the same. Seems to me though, at that point it's cheaper just to replace a 10 dollar cap and see if it helps. If so, great! You just saved a boatload of money and hassle. If not, oh well. At least you got a new cap out of the deal. Not purely scientific, but works for many.

...Issue number three. My digital odometer isn't working any more, except for on that very very rare occasion that it will actually come on for a short period of time. I've been told that I should take the cluster out and replace the resistors on the board, which I haven't had a chance to do. Will changing the resistors fix the problem or is it something else??

Might fix it. I haven't had that issue (knock on wood!) with my '04 yet, so don't know. Plenty of others have dealt with this issue though, so with luck you'll get a real answer on that score soon.

...Now for the final issue. Ever since the day I bought this Regal (2 years ago) I have noticed that is always to to run hot in the summer, never to the point of overheating, but hot enough that it alarms me some because none of my other cars have ever run that hot. Is this just a regular thing for these cars or do I need to flush the cooling system and change the thermostat?

How hot is it running? Where is the needle and how does it run?
I would say no, it's not a normal thing. But with your other gauges sometimes acting up too, who's to say your engine is fine and you just have a gauge or sensor issue. You could measure the temperature with some other form of gauge to calibrate your dash instruments. That way you'd know for sure if it's running hot or not.
If you've never done it though, I would absolutely without hesitation replace the thermostat and flush the entire cooling system. You can't count on most PO's to have done that while they had the car, so it's up to you when you buy one to take care of that stuff.
If you did already, then yeah, maybe it's time for more drastic action. But I'd just flush-n-refill it first.

Good luck.

Paul

 

[rqjoe]

Running hot is not normal.
Resistor replacement on back of panel will fix the odometer, I did it.
What the other guy says about the fuel cap is true. I had to replace mine twice in 10 years - the old ones "look" Ok but the little crazing lines in the big 0-ring allow it to leak just enough.