1995 Aurora - Intermentent Dash / Computer Display

[willpaxton]

Hello and much gratitude / appreciation for any assistance someone can offer.

Long story short is I bought this car in 1998 when I retired.  It had 46K and now has 105k, attached picture to show condition (why I'd like to fix issue and keep).

Several years ago I was going to visit my 87 year old father in Iowa.  I stopped for fuel in Kansas, when I went to start the car it started fine but there were no gauges or the computer display working (this had never happened before).  Figured a fuse had blown but after checking the panel on side dash, the two fuse/relay panels under back seat and under the hood all fuses were good.

Being stuck on I70 I decided best to try to get to next exit and try to find mechanic shop (only had limited tools on hand).  Started driving and about a mile down the road all gauges and display started working as normal.  Decided to keep driving and had no further problems. 

Fast forward several months and the same problem happened again.  It took a few more miles but again started working correctly.  Over the last couple years (I only drive the car when going to IA) it's happening more often.  Now if you try to drive when the gauges/display are not working it won't shift out of first gear (before it would) so can't drive far.

I've found when this happens to just turn the car off, wait a few seconds and start it again.  It might take 3-5 times but the gauges/display will come back and car operates correctly.

Some of the suggestions from my mechanic friends have been : bad ground(s), I did find the main motor/frame ground, cleaned/replaced but no difference, apparently there are more grounds but have to access from below and I don't have a lift.  Bad connection from PCM (unknown how to check).  Bad relay (not sure where the Instrument Cluster Relay is located as that seems most likely), yes have checked under back seat but those do not seem associated with this issue.

I have done all the service on this car since purchased but have limited knowledge on the electronics.  Again I sincerely appreciate any suggestions on this issue.  I did review the other peoples threads and did not see anything along associated with this problem.

Thanks!!!! Have a great day

[Marc]

My guess: a bad ground in the instrument cluster.

[RCA1186]

I would guess a wiring issue in the dash or a PCM ground issue as well. There used to be a how to on "cleaning and inspecting" the grounds to the PCM which I cannot find on here any longer, my apologies. If you have a copy of the factory service manual, this may be helpful for that aspect.


I would also inspect wiring under the seat and in the door frame (specifically in the rubber boot between the door and body). These areas are prone to broken wiring.

I would replace fuses or get electronic contact cleaner and spray on the blades of the fuse at the "I/P" fuse connections under the rear seat. There is an I/P 1 and I/P 2 fuse (Instrument Panel) both have been known to cause problems with dashboard functionality. Even if they look good might be worth it for peace of mind.

Outside of that, I would pull the dash cover and have a look. Though the fact it won't shift out of 1st gear makes me lean toward PCM issue.

I wish I had more insight on this, but it is a new issue to me. Haven't seen this happen before.

[willpaxton]

Thank you, hopefully have time this weekend to check further. 

[willpaxton]

Hi, update 7/14

I did purchase an OEM service / repair manual (PDF 2,880 pages).  Unfortunately the only information regarding the grounds to the PCM is schematics.  Location information is limited as the manual does not detail every ground point.

What is does mention is two ground locations (G201 and G202) dealing with the cluster.  However, the only information in the manual to the locations of these grounds is :

(G201 On right front shroud and G202 On left front shroud) .  The only "shroud" I've ever heard of is the radiator shroud and pretty sure this is not it.  Spent several hours online searching for the shroud and also locations of the G201/G202 with zero results.  I've always preferred to own older model vehicles/equipment as usually easier to work on but this Aurora seems to be the exception (:-).

I've called two auto mechanic shops (since no Olds dealers any longer).  Neither of them can tell me what / where this shroud is located or these ground points.  Kind of funny as one shop says they can locate it if I bring the car in and ONLY $180/hr. (of course can't say how long it will take).  You'd expect a shop charging that kind of $ would either have a mechanic familiar with this Aurora OR at least the ability to look this information up (versus just trial and error)?

Might anyone here know either where or how to locate these ground points?  Or what exactly they are talking about when they say "shroud"?

I did find on the Fixya site another person who was having a similar problem (2001 Aurora).  Long story short it was a bad ground at G201 so I'd sure like to find and check these before digging into dash / cluster removal.

Thanks again, have a great day!!