My girlfriend just bought a 2000 Cavalier and there is a weird problem with the instrument panel. When you first start the car, the warning lights test themselves for the normal amount of time and the car beeps at you to fasten your seatbelt. After you sit for a second, or if you shift into Drive, the temperature gauge falls to 100, then the fuel gauge falls to E, the speedometer drops to 0, and then the Service, Brake, Theft, Check Gages, and a few other random lights come on and stay on. Sometimes it looks like the turn signal lights flash too, although it's only on the instrument panel, not on the actual outside turn signals. The instrument panel will stay like this for a few minutes (or the whole time the car is running) and then it's like suddenly everything comes back to life. You can also hear a faint and odd noise coming from behind the instrument panel as everything is going into "meltdown mode." We have no clue what this is or what could be causing it, but thought we would check here for suggestions. Any help is greatly appreciated... Thanks.
I recently changed my negative battery wire and my car did the same thing. I put the original back on, and it stopped doing it. It might have nothing to do with it, but its a start. Maybe there is something wrong with your negative battery wire?
i agree with rod. weird electrical/charging/alternator/battery problems are fixed by changing battery cables. its fairly easy and inexpensive to do. if that doesnt fix it at least you have new battery cables.
Thanks. I actually had a relative tell me the same thing so that is probably our problem. We'll definitely get that checked sometime next week and I'll post a reply if it works. Again, thanks a lot.
Just out of curiosity, how hard would it be to change those myself, and how would I do it? Would I be better off taking it to a mechanic? We're just trying to save as much $$$ as possible because with how everything is today we really don't have a lot. Thanks...
