Instrument Cluster: Repair for the "Check Gauges" indicator

After messing around with two TGP instrument clusters, I figured out how to fix the problem of the "Check Gauges" and/or "Low Fuel" light stuck on. The cause is bad solder joints around the warning light driver IC (chip). The fix is very simple, the cost of the tools is very low, so I would encourage you to fix it yourself and save some money if you're handy with a soldering iron. By the way, this fix also applies to probably any 1988-93 Pontiac Grand Prix instrument cluster.

Not skilled with a soldering iron?

If you don't have the time or desire to attempt to repair your instrument cluster, I can repair it for you. The fix is very simple, so I will charge only $20 which will even include US Mail Priority shipping back to you which takes only 2-3 days. You will need to remove your instrument cluster, box it up and pack it well with plenty of padding, then ship it to me. I will then repair your "Check Gauges" and/or "Low Fuel" light stuck on problem, test it to make sure those problems are fixed, and I will ship it back to you. I am offering my services as a favor and not trying to make a living, so I offer no warranty or guarantees whatsoever. I also do not have the expertise to repair anything other than the problem of the "Check Gauges" and "Low Fuel" indicator lights stuck on. As long as your gauges are all working correctly but those lights are stuck on, then I'm pretty sure I can fix it. If for some reason I'm unable to fix your instrument cluster, I will return it to you with your money less shipping expenses. If you want to take me up on this offer, email me for more information.

Repairing your instrument cluster yourself is cheap & easy. If you have the tools, it's pretty much a FREE repair. The hardest part is getting the instrument cluster out of the car and then putting it back in. Read on to learn how to repair it yourself.

Tools Required:

Repair Instructions:

Here are my instructions for fixing your instrument cluster yourself. It's actually quite a simple job and the tools to fix it don't cost much at all either. Clicking on any picture will let you view a larger version.

  1. Remove the instrument cluster from the car.
    To remove the cluster:
    1. Remove one 7mm screw from underneath the dash pad through the access hole on the inside top of the glove box.
    2. Remove the 2 phillips screws along the top inside edge of the instrument cluster area.
    3. Lift up the top dash pad with enough force to overcome snaps, pull slightly back towards you to gain access to the underside of the HUD unit.
    4. Disconnect HUD electrical connector.
    5. Remove 3 7mm screws holding the instrument cluster on. Two on top and one on the bottom behind the wiper switch.
    6. Disconnect the wire harness and pull out the cluster, make sure to push in the trip odometer reset button to clear the plastic cluster visor.
  2. Remove the 5 silver TORX T-15 screws on the back of the cluster. If your cluster is original, there should be a black plastic cover that you will need to remove. Place the cluster face down on a soft cloth in order to prevent scratching the clear acrylic lens.
    Rear view of instrument cluster after removal of back cover.
  3. Locate the IC, it is on the edge to your left (the opposite side of the connector) of the circuit board. It is a 14-pin DIP IC, but all you will see are TWO horizontal rows of 7 pins soldered to the circuit board.
    This is a view of the location of the chip that needs to be re-soldered.

  4. Using a small knife, carefully scrape off the clear/brownish lacquer coating from the solder around the pins. I found this step necessary because the solder tended to stick to the lacquer coating making solder bridges, so you will save yourself some headaches if you scrape the stuff off. Be sure not to scrape through any traces or through the green coating.
  5. Using the pencil tip soldering iron, resolder all 14-pins.
    Close-up of where you need to solder.
  6. Plug in the connector and turn on the ignition to verify that your cluster is working correctly and no lights are now stuck on.
  7. If everything is now okay, reassemble your dash.

Enjoy!