Hello, I posted this thread earlier...

bonneville-gxp-northstar-powered-cars/topic43711.html

Long story short, the mechanic didn't find any thermostat issues. He swapped the coils to correct the misfire issue. He washed out the fan to get all the excess cotton build up out of there. I thought the issue was fixed.

Well, today I am driving around 60 mph for about 5-10 minutes tops. It's 78 degrees outside. I look down and see my temperature gauge is maxed out at 280 degrees. I pull over and open the hood. I touch the coolant container and it doesn't feel all that hot. I touch the engine and it doesnt feel all that hot. I'm able to squeeze the hose with little resistance.

I go back to start it up and then I see the temperature gauge at this level:



I drive it home around 60-70 mph for another 10ish minutes. I get home and pop the hood, it's definitely warmer and the hose is harder to squeeze.

What gives?? Water pump? Bad temperature gauge? I'm so confused.

Bad stepper motor in the cluster. Your car is fine, mechanically speaking.

_________________
-Car Guy Carl
"Penelope" - 2003 SLE - 247k Miles
"Sydney" - 2000 Honda S2000 - 98k miles

I just brought it in to Valvoline to flush the coolant and even they said the engine was pretty *dang* hot. 107k miles. Thoughts?

Also this is the first coolant flush it's had. We will see if this helps.

This. Super common problem. I repair them if you want it fixed.

_________________
Andrew - owner/operator of Bonnevilles Unlimited

2004 Bonneville GXP | 60k | White Gold Tricoat | custom built supercharged 3800 hot rod | garage queen
1997 Corvette | 55k | Silver Metallic | Z06 wheels | Date-night Hauler/Parts runner
2014 Town & Country Limited | Cashmere Pearl | 95k | Family Hauler
2002 Ram 1500 Quad Cab Sport | Black| 260k | Official Bonneville Hauler

Yes, I do...I see you are in MN...how far from the Twin Cities? And what's the price? Lord have mercy on a poor college student...

I'm 2.5 hours from the cities, but I repair and ship back the same day I receive it if you mail it. $75 for a repaired cluster with all new stepper motors and all new bulbs.

_________________
Andrew - owner/operator of Bonnevilles Unlimited

2004 Bonneville GXP | 60k | White Gold Tricoat | custom built supercharged 3800 hot rod | garage queen
1997 Corvette | 55k | Silver Metallic | Z06 wheels | Date-night Hauler/Parts runner
2014 Town & Country Limited | Cashmere Pearl | 95k | Family Hauler
2002 Ram 1500 Quad Cab Sport | Black| 260k | Official Bonneville Hauler

If I'm not mechanical at all (I max out at changing brake pads and oil changes) how hard is it to remove and re-install the cluster?

Pretty easy. Pull the dash bezel off, and the cluster comes out with 5 spring clips (no tools).

First remove the fascia from around the instrument panel and radio. There are two plastic rivets going up into the fascia above the instrument cluster. Press the center of the rivets upward (pics 1 & 2) and then carefully pry the rivets out (pic 3).



Pry the trim ring off the ignition switch (pic 4) notice I put electrical tape around the screwdriver blade to avoid marring the trim. Then pull out the 'cubby hole' on the left of the wheel (pic 5). Tilt the wheel all the way down and pull the panel off the dash (pic 6).



Reach behind the right side and disconnect the connector(pic7). Carefully tweek the panel to get it around the wheel and out of the way. It will help to have the wheel tilted down as far as it can go.

Then you have full access to the cluster, which pulls straight out.

_________________
Andrew - owner/operator of Bonnevilles Unlimited

2004 Bonneville GXP | 60k | White Gold Tricoat | custom built supercharged 3800 hot rod | garage queen
1997 Corvette | 55k | Silver Metallic | Z06 wheels | Date-night Hauler/Parts runner
2014 Town & Country Limited | Cashmere Pearl | 95k | Family Hauler
2002 Ram 1500 Quad Cab Sport | Black| 260k | Official Bonneville Hauler

If the engine is truly hot, the DIC should tell you.

What is also a dead giveaway that it's electrical (be it the bad stepper motor, or bad sensor, etc...), is that it pegs at max which is indicative of infinite resistance, or a short/open.

_________________


Retired Bonneville Owner and former GM Tech:
2004 Pontiac Bonneville GXP: Black/Ebony *SOLD*

Summer Toys: Combined 827 RWHP / 877lb/ft RWTQ
2004 Pontiac GTO: Impulse Blue Metallic/Black/M6: lots 'o mods, 415 RWHP / 405lb/ft RWTQ!
2006 Cadillac STS-V: Light Platinum Metallic/Light Gray/A6 - Spectre CAI, Magnaflow exhaust, Speed Inc. tune, 412 RWHP / 472lb/ft RWTQ

Daily Drivers:
2019 Chrysler Pacifica Limited: Mommy's new RGC
2015 Chrysler Town & Country Limited Platinum: Kids new RGC
2007 Chrysler Town & Country Limited: Sold to neighbor
2009 Pontiac G8 GT: L76, Sport Red Metallic
2003 Chevrolet Suburban 2500: Doeskin Tan - 8.1L Big Block... new plow truck
1999 Chevrolet Suburban: Sunset Gold Metallic - Daddy's winter beater and plow truck