I know there are some mechanics on this board so I'm looking for advice. I drive an older (2000) high mileage (139,000) Buick. It runs and operates perfectly, or at least it did until yesterday. I took the car in for an oil change since the little window sticker said I was due at 138,000 miles. I also had a headlight out so I had it fixed as well. After I left I noticed the new window sticker said my next oil change was due at 228,080 miles. My natural initial thought was that the sticker was wrong then when I looked at the odometer it read 225,080! This morning I noticed the temperature gauge was not working and the speedometer is all out of whack. I usually drive around 70MPH on my way to work (I-70 into Columbus) but today the speedometer was showing 120MPH. I doubt the car will even go that fast but I know it wasn't this AM. So, there is an obvious electrical issue but I've had the oil changed dozens of times at this same location and never had any issues. Also, because it is older, I plan to drive it until it dies or I give it away. I will never trade or sell it.

Any suggestions on what I can do? Is it possible, without costing an arm and a leg, to get the dashboard electronics changed or fixed?

take the headlight out. Maybe your socket is grounded and you're getting noise on the ground. I only say headlight b/c that's what was replaced.

Sounds like low blinker fluid.

Can you solder a circuit board?

I can.

Google thinks it's a circuit board. Quite a few different videos. This is a '99 Buick. Hopefully the same.


[video=youtube;jTQIVS_uB4g][/video]


Not a mechanic but just searching the net what I've found.

Good luck, I'd hate to know what a mechanic would charge ya for electrical work.

Trade it in.

Flip your KM/ MPH button on your dash

1 kmh = 0.621371192 mph

Devils Advocate;1240973 wrote:Flip your KM/ MPH button on your dash

1 kmh = 0.621371192 mph

That would be fucking awesome. (if that is the problem)

Devils Advocate;1240973 wrote:Flip your KM/ MPH button on your dash

1 kmh = 0.621371192 mph

Interesting. I will try this. Still doesn't explain the temp guage tho.

hilliardfan;1240989 wrote:Interesting. I will try this. Still doesn't explain the temp guage tho.

If you went to a discount lube/oil place, it explaines everything. They probably knocked a wire off of your sending unit checking the oil. On a 2k Buick, It probably is a 3.1 L V6. The thermostat is diagonal from your Air con compressor and the sending unit is right beside it follow the big radiator hose from the top of radiator back to the engine. the thermostat will be very close to where it ends.. Look for a 2 lead wire floating around the top of your engine and plug it back in. ( or see if it is loose ) Or better yet, take it back to the place and tell them WHAT THEY DID.

Devils Advocate;1241000 wrote:If you went to a discount lube/oil place, it explaines everything. They probably knocked a wire off of your sending unit checking the oil. On a 2k Buick, It probably is a 3.1 L V6. The thermostat is diagonal from your Air con compressor and the sending unit is right beside it follow the big radiator hose from the top of radiator back to the engine. the thermostat will be very close to where it ends.. Look for a 2 lead wire floating around the top of your engine and plug it back in. ( or see if it is loose ) Or better yet, take it back to the place and tell them WHAT THEY DID.

We have a winning answer ... DA perfect reply to the mileage and the sensor sender

you might be low on gas....