GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 Oldsmobile 🢒 1998 🢒 Achieva 🢒 Body and Accessories 🢒 Instrument Panel, Gauges, and Console 🢒 Instrument Cluster Description

Instrument Cluster

The instrument panel section is an organized approach for identifying a fault in the instrument cluster or one of the devices that are tied to the instrument cluster through the serial data communication over the UART data line. Using this information correctly reduces diagnosis time and prevents unnecessary components replacement.

The instrument cluster is a microprocessor-controlled device that is responsible for controlling the UART data line and the various indicators and gauges. Much of the display information given by the instrument cluster is supplied via the serial data communication. The instrument clusters have the following features and functions:

    • The gauges
       - 185 km/h (115 mph) analog display speedometer (Metric -- Canada) (Pontiac)
       - 195 km/h (120 mph) analog display speedometer (Metric -- Canada) (Buick and Oldsmobile)
       - Analog display fuel gauge
       - Analog display engine coolant temperature gauge
       - Season odometer
       - Trip odometer
       - Tachometer (Up-level only)
    • The displays include a PRNDL display (4-speed automatic only -- P R N D 3 2 1) (Buick only)
    • The indicators
       - ABS (YELLOW)
       - AIR BAG (RED)
       - BRAKE (RED)
       - CHECK ENGINE (YELLOW)
       - CHECK GAUGES (RED) (Buick and Oldsmobile)
       - CHECK OIL (YELLOW)
       - CRUISE CONTROL (GREEN) (Oldsmobile and Buick)
       - ENGINE COOLANT TEMPERATURE GAUGE CHECK (RED) (Pontiac)
       - ETS (YELLOW) (Option with 4-speed automatic transaxle)
       - FUEL GAUGE CHECK (YELLOW) (Pontiac)
       - HIGH BEAM (BLUE)
       - LEFT TURN (GREEN)
       - LOW COOLANT (RED)
       - LOW TRAC (YELLOW) (Oldsmobile and Pontiac option with 4-speed automatic transaxle)
       - LOW WASH (YELLOW) (Oldsmobile)
       - OIL PRESSURE (RED)
       - RIGHT TURN (GREEN)
       - SEAT BELT (RED)
       - SECURITY (RED) (Oldsmobile)
       - THEFT SYSTEM (RED)
       - UPSHIFT (YELLOW) (manual transaxle)
       - VOLTS (RED)

Instrument Panel

The instrument panel allows removal of the following components from the driver's side of the instrument panel:

    • The control switches
    • The instruments
    • The gauges

The trim covers are held in place by the screws and the clips. The cluster housing is attached to the instrument panel. The instrument cluster contains the following components:

    • The speedometer
    • The gauges
    • The indicators
    • The instrument panel bulbs

Base and Gauge Clusters

The cluster contains the following components:

    • An electric analog speedometer
    • A stepper motor driven and season odometer (gauge cluster only)
    • A temperature gauge
    • An oil pressure gauge
    • A fuel gauge
    • A tachometer (gauge cluster only)
    • Indicator lamps

The vehicle speed sensor is located in the transaxle.

The indicator lamps include the following:

    • Oldsmobile
       - High beam
       - Left turn
       - Right turn
       - Up shift
       - Air bag
       - Low coolant
       - Check oil
       - Check engine
       - Cruise
       - Check gauges
       - Security
       - ETS off
       - Low wash
       - Fasten belts
       - Oil Pressure
       - Volts
       - Antilock
       - Brake
    • Pontiac
       - High beam
       - Left turn
       - Right turn
       - Up shift (manual transaxle)
       - Air bag
       - Low coolant
       - Check oil
       - Check engine
       - Theft system
       - ETS off
       - Low trac
       - Low wash
       - Fasten belts
       - Oil pressure
       - Volts
       - Antilock
       - Brake
    • Buick
       - High beam
       - Right turn
       - Left turn
       - Low coolant
       - Check oil
       - Check engine
       - Cruise
       - Check gauges
       - Theft System
       - Fasten belts
       - Oil pressure
       - Volts
       - Air bag
       - Antilock
       - Brake

The following components of the cluster are serviceable:

    • The lens
    • The bulbs
    • The sockets

All other tell tale lights are not serviceable. If any other components require servicing, send the cluster to an authorized instrument cluster service center.