I have a problem on my 2005 Cavalier's Temperature Gauge and I'm not quite sure on where to start to diagnose.
I was driving along today and noticed the Coolant Temperature Gauge stuck at 120C (250F). No SEL or Low Coolant Light. Pulled over and started to see if there was a coolant problem which I could not find. When I turned the car back on (acc power only) the Coolant Gauge jumped to 150C. Turned the car off then back on (acc power only), and the gauge jumped to 230C and has been stuck there (around the 5-6 o'clock position) ever since.
I drove the car back home and hooked up my OBDII reader. When I started to read the data, the computer was reporting the Coolant Temperature to be 80C (175F). I drove it around the block a few times. The temp rose to 90C (195F) and sat there +/- 2 degrees for the whole trip. The cooling system seems to be working fine.
I pretty much assume that the Temp Sensor is fine, so now I have to assume it is the wiring, the cluster, or a computer. The wiring diagrams says the path from the sensor is to the PCM then the BCM, then the Cluster.
Would anyone have a idea on where I should start looking, and what I should be looking for? Would this be a bad ground somewhere? Any help would be appreciated.
thx!
Does the gauge drop when you turn the car off or does it stay in it's stuck position? You can narrow it down to either the bcm or the cluster. The PCM or any other type of computer is not the cause. I would also assume the BCM is not the problem because if they go... a lot mostly goes as well. I would bet it is your gauge cluster. You can remove your cluster and make sure it is plugged in nice and tight. If that does not do it, then try to get another gauge from a pick-n-pull or a local junkyard. Easy swap.
After I cycled the power on and off, when I first noticed the problem, the gauge wound itself clockwise to the seven o'clock position. It is stuck there now, nothing I do - power on/off, pull fuse, etc - will make it move. I figured, like you, if it was a computer problem there would be a whole bunch of problems at the same time, not just this one dial. I guess the only contacts to verify they are clean and tight are on the cluster? If the contacts on the computers were dirty or loose I guess I would see other symptoms?
As for changing the cluster, do you know if there is any programming required? Does the cluster have to come from a 05 or other years acceptable? I guess it comes down to the part number -- just look for the same part number from the pick and pull?
Also, has anyone had any experience just changing the stepper motor in the cluster, or is this more trouble than it's worth? thx
More than likely it is more trouble than it is worth. Removing the needles and getting them all back perfect is a PITA. You can use any cluster from a 2000-2005 cavalier OR sunfire. The only difference in the sunfire is it glows red. It is literally plug and play. Your BCM keeps track of your mileage... so even if you did swap clusters... it will still show YOUR correct mileage. Plug and play!
