1997 Grand Prix Gauge Cluster Question

[GP1138]

I have obtained a nicer 1998 gauge cluster for my '97. It goes in just fine, the only issue is the stupid fuel gauge jumps and then just falls to empty. Any ideas on what I need to do to make this work?

[RobertISaar]

taking a look at the diagrams now:

 

97 used a simple setup, like the earlier cars, has a sender located in the tank, wire runs from the cluster to the sender, creates a variable resistance, which moves the needle around.

98 is different.... still a level sensor, but it's read by the PCM and the PCM drives the fuel level signal itself, probably via PWM instead of a variable resistance.

 

 

 

the 97 uses a 0-90 ohm sender, the 98 uses a 40-250 ohm sender, so simply bypassing the PCM control isn't going to be simple.

 

 

 

long story short: 97 cars need a 97 cluster unless you swap the PCM to a 98+ and redo the wiring to act like a 98 car.

[GP1138]

FFFFFUUUUUU

Thanks a bunch. I guess I'm going to screw with swapping the surrounds and faces.

[runt]

That isn't too bad to do. I added a cluster overlay on my 01 and those units come apart pretty easily.