Dealer says " may have to have gauges reprogrammed" - anybody ??

[n2ativ]

Lurker / Newbie here - hello to all. 1995 2.5 L model purchased new from dealer in late 1994 with no history of gauge problems before I removed the cluster to " fix " the burned out lights. So I admit up front some people have better DIY skills than others !!

After a visit to the dealer for another problem the other day we discussed the fuel and temp gauge not working after my removal of the cluster. He suggested I leave it to be reprogrammed.

Anybody want to weigh in here - any truth to the "reprogramming the gauges" statement - or perhaps was he just misinformed himself ????

Thanks to any and all that jump in on this

[Goliat6288]

reprogrammed?

have u removed the cluster again to see if u left anything unplugged or loose? i think that should be ur first step.

[keninn]

did they try to sell you blinker fluid, too? reprogram gauges. baahahahaha. sheesh.

[Saint_]

I would expect them to blame on your supercharger. I dont think its a bad dealer, on average.

[hawkman]

Originally Posted by Goliat6288

reprogrammed?

have u removed the cluster again to see if u left anything unplugged or loose? i think that should be ur first step.

I agree with this. I got a gauge cluster off a '96 from my local Pullapart. I was trying to fit that cool fuel/gear selector/temp gauge in my '98 while I was changing the bulbs. I failed miserably but that's not the point. There are 3 connectors that connect to 3 receptacles along the top of the gauge cluster. The actual conductors in the 'recptacles' are very thin as the back of the cluster is essentially a sheet covered in copper traces that make up the various circuits that got to all of your cluster indications. Make sure you have all of the connectors properly 'seated' ON those traces or else you'll have issues with the associated lamps or indications not working properly or not working at all. Hope this helps. Oh, and that whole gauge 'reprogramming' thing is classic stealership!

[millyowner]

Yeah, there are two or three "ribbon cables" that are tricky keep plugged in when putting the cluster back in. I've done that myself and have had to remove it again and reconnect those.