2001 Grand Am GT

[bfgoodmudder]

Hello forum,

I'm Clint. New here due to a recently purchased 2001 Grand Am GT. It has 200k miles on it and runs ok. I went to troubleshoot a non functioning temp gauge. Pulled the driver side fuse panel and found some rigged jumpers from two fuses and going to a blue lead that goes under the dash. Pulled the jumpers out and now the entire dash cluster is out. No lights,no gauges. Everything else still works on the car, except that the clock on the factory radio goes to 12:00 everytime I shut the car off. I've tried to recreate the jumper configuration without any luck. I'm stumped. Anyone have any ideas?

 

[bfgoodmudder]

I just took a look at the passenger side fuse box. There is a jumper in there also. It's jumped from the 20 amp fuse to the left side of the empty 15 amp fuse location for the radio. No fuse, just a jumper stuck in there.

I pulled the jumper, which killed the radio, because it's jumped from the fused 20 amp. Put a 15 amp fuse in it and was able to set the radio clock without losing it after turning the key off. Obviously that's because with the fuse in it, the current is getting to the other side of the terminal whereas with the jumper from the 20 amp fuse to the left side of the 15 amp terminal, current was only getting to the left side (Hope that makes sense). However, now when I turn the key off, I hear a chiming sound and the mirror lights stay on. Waited a few minutes. Chiming and lights still on with ignition off, all lights off and doors closed.

So, it looks to me like somebody got ingenuitive with the wiring here in order to bypass the actual problem. The question is, what is that problem?

Note before I pulled the jumper on the driver side, the radio clock worked like it should and the gauges were working with the exception of the temp gauge which is what I started out to fix in the first place. Tried again to recreate the jumper configuration on the driver side but still no luck.

Also, have a correction...

I do have dash lights. The dimmer was down. So, no gauges but the lights are working.

 

[bfgoodmudder]

Note to self.... Check door switch. May not be indicating that the door is actually closed.

Still doesn't solve my gauge issue but I seem to be finding more issues with this car every time I turn around.

 

[bfgoodmudder]

This is a pretty lame forum...

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[melsg5]

Maybe instead of posting amperage ratings you could state the fuse functions which is usually on the door or in the owners manual. If your cluster isnt working most people go to the junk yard and get a replacement. At the very least you have to determine if it's getting power. You probably need a wiring diagram, try a Chiltons manual or google or autozone may have it if you sign up.

 

[bfgoodmudder]

I know it's a common issue, and I could easily throw parts at it but I thought I might come across someone who has some knowledge about the fuse panels, jumpers I described, and the gauge outage. You're the only reply.

I've been on lots of forums from Harleys to to Hondas. This is the worst response I've seen, and to what seems to be a common issue. I was fairly descriptive I thought. If more info is needed, no problem. But I need to know what info that is. Probably the last Pontiac I will buy.

I've also been reading about the security on these cars. My gauges went out when I pulled the jumper on the driver side fuse panel. After that the car would start and run for a second, then die. Then I put a fuse in where one end of the jumper was, I was able to get the car to stay running but the gauges never came back. I'm not convinced it's the cluster.

It's fairly complicated to try to explain, but I figured it was worth a shot. Maybe not.