Have an electrical Dash problem!!

**Padawan** · 11-03-2008

Hello Gprix users,,,

I think i have an electrical problem, and i was wondering if some of you had experienced my situation.

last week i was driving and suddenly the lights of my dash started to vanish and blinking, then the "SRS Airbag" start to blink, after that the shifts were not working just first gear (like putting in neutral and pushing the gas but moving very slow in first gear) so i move a side put the car in park then put it again on "D" and i push the gas and it was driving just in first gear, so i said fccckk... my trans just got damaged right?? but then i move a side again turn of the engine turned back on again and the dash and transmition worked again with no problem,.... so i went with the mechanic to perform an computer diagnostic and the guy just told me that i had a problem with the catalizer!!! that i need to replace that part!!! what tha F....?? i have had experienced this problem twice and solved the same way.. a afriend told me tha this type of cars have many issues with the dash and that i may need to change it to fix it... what do you guys think? could be a computer problem? low electrical delivery issues? by the way i haven't replace the catalizer, i will this next weekend but i think this another issue and has nothing to do with my current problem

Regards.

Ricardo

**SyntheticShield** · 11-03-2008

I havent heard of any 'known' issues with the dash in the GP, so Im not sure your friend is giving you very accurate information. The only issues I am aware of in that realm of possibilities is the ignition switch, but it going bad does not usually behave that way.

What I wish you would have done at the time when you pulled over and turned off the engine was to see if you could get the key out of the ignition. That would have pointed to a low voltage system and possibly a bad battery, bad alternator, corrosion on the battery terminals and so on.

At this point, with what you are saying it doesnt sound like an ignition switch issue but rather a weak electrical system issue so I would start there.

Ive never heard of the catalytic converter or 'catalizer' as the mechanic put it, causing an issue with the electrical system. Performance, yes, electrical, no.

**Abrasive** · 11-03-2008

I had a Saturn a long time ago that would do this, dash lights go crazy and even the needles on the gauges, etc. Turned out to be a bad negative battery cable. Once I replaced it, never had the issue ever again.

**Sabrewings** · 11-03-2008

My S10 did some weird electrical things when the battery was going bad. Shutting it off and restarting often helped. Had some weird things like the speedometer going crazy, fuel gauge bouncing all over the place, etc. Finally the battery gave up, replaced it, and no problems after that.

Might want to take the battery to Auto Zone and get it load tested.

**Padawan** · 11-03-2008

Thanks Scotty
Yes i think is definitively an electrical delivery issue, i will take it to the mechanic to check the alternator and battery.

Regards
Ricardo.

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