Sold a sunken sailboat for a friend, and got an 05 Spunfire on part trade. 194 Kms/115ish Miles. 2.2 is fairly spunky, sadly a Slushbox, but timing chain is a good thing.

Problem: Tach needle is spun all the way forward and intrudes in the speedo zone. Needle would be at about 15,000 RPM if there were numbers. Now, driving tonight in the rain, with most electrics on; the speedo reads 160kms when I'm doing about 90. In the driveway, needle sits at about 80 after ignition shut off and key removed. I've put less than 100kms on it so far.

Mechanic says he'll hook it up; there's a report for every problem. Thanks for any ideas, hoping it won't be an expensive fix. A.

Posted by A. Lien Sold a sunken sailboat for a friend, and got an 05 Spunfire on part trade. 194 Kms/115ish Miles. 2.2 is fairly spunky, sadly a Slushbox, but timing chain is a good thing. Problem: Tach needle is spun all the way forward and intrudes in the speedo zone. Needle would be at about 15,000 RPM if there were numbers. Now, driving tonight in the rain, with most electrics on; the speedo reads 160kms when I'm doing about 90. In the driveway, needle sits at about 80 after ignition shut off and key removed. I've put less than 100kms on it so far. Mechanic says he'll hook it up; there's a report for every problem. Thanks for any ideas, hoping it won't be an expensive fix. A.

the cluster is shot.
2003-2005 J-bodies were known for that failure.

the cluster is maybe $75 from ebay, or $50 from a salvage yard. Takes about 45 minutes to get the dashboard cover off and then 45 minutes to let the car program it.
my friend V had the cluster fail on his 2005 Cavalier in the same fashion.
it's honestly not that bad a repair should you attempt it.
last I knew, J-body.org had a really detailed step-by-step breakdown on their site in the DIY tab.

Thanks Sam!

Great to know what's up with this Tijuana Taxi. Maybe one from an 06 or newer would fit, and not have the risk of a used one going bad, or already defective. Will try to sell as is. Car feels tight, not a bad little ride.

Posted by Samurai the cluster is shot. 2003-2005 J-bodies were known for that failure. the cluster is maybe $75 from ebay, or $50 from a salvage yard. Takes about 45 minutes to get the dashboard cover off and then 45 minutes to let the car program it. my friend V had the cluster fail on his 2005 Cavalier in the same fashion. it's honestly not that bad a repair should you attempt it. last I knew, J-body.org had a really detailed step-by-step breakdown on their site in the DIY tab.

Posted by A. Lien Thanks Sam! Great to know what's up with this Tijuana Taxi. Maybe one from an 06 or newer would fit, and not have the risk of a used one going bad, or already defective. Will try to sell as is. Car feels tight, not a bad little ride.

2005 was the last year for the Cavalier and Sunfire. In all reality, 2004 and 2005 J-bodies are nothing more than renumbered 2003 models. Lordstown OH, where the j-bodies were built, started converting over to build the Cobalt/G5/Pursuit production for the 2005 model year in early 2004 or so.

luckily, I am pretty sure the 2003-2005 cluster will fit your car, but I forget the learn procedure... it's literally been over a decade since I changed the cluster on my 98 coupe.

Gracias. Always impressed by your knowledge and auto experience! Mine is made in Mexico, July '04. Must be a future collectable, last run and all, lol.

Called a dealer. In his 16+ years experience, the service tech had 'never' heard of this problem. He did though say make sure your battery is strong, and alternator not defective. He said any extra drain will steal/eff up energy from other electronics to keep the motor running.

Memories of air cooled VW's in the 70's... (yes, I's old) If your voltage regulator went, about twenty minutes to get home. Try not to use the headlights.

Serious dealer denial here; am thinking yes. An independent garage said this is a common problem. Also on Venture vans and other cars. Already found two clusters. 125.00 and 80.00. Today the speedo is working better. Not a bad car really. Gas mileage is growing on me. Wish it was a sportwagon, or better yet, Fiero if going small and sporty. (besides the 70's 911 S thing of course)

A.

Posted by Samurai 2005 was the last year for the Cavalier and Sunfire. In all reality, 2004 and 2005 J-bodies are nothing more than renumbered 2003 models. Lordstown OH, where the j-bodies were built, started converting over to build the Cobalt/G5/Pursuit production for the 2005 model year in early 2004 or so. luckily, I am pretty sure the 2003-2005 cluster will fit your car, but I forget the learn procedure... it's literally been over a decade since I changed the cluster on my 98 coupe.

Posted by A. Lien Gracias. Always impressed by your knowledge and auto experience! Mine is made in Mexico, July '04. Must be a future collectable, last run and all, lol. Called a dealer. In his 16+ years experience, the service tech had 'never' heard of this problem. He did though say make sure your battery is strong, and alternator not defective. He said any extra drain will steal/eff up energy from other electronics to keep the motor running. Memories of air cooled VW's in the 70's... (yes, I's old) If your voltage regulator went, about twenty minutes to get home. Try not to use the headlights. Serious dealer denial here; am thinking yes. An independent garage said this is a common problem. Also on Venture vans and other cars. Already found two clusters. 125.00 and 80.00. Today the speedo is working better. Not a bad car really. Gas mileage is growing on me. Wish it was a sportwagon, or better yet, Fiero if going small and sporty. (besides the 70's 911 S thing of course) A.

that car can't be made in mexico... by the late 1990's all production was in either Janesvile WI, or Lordstown OH, with production shifting solely to Lordstown. Ramos Arizipe was only involved in the gen 1 and 2 cars and now the hatchback Cruze.
can you PM me the VIN #?

And that mechanic at the dealership was full of shit. The late 2003 thru 2005 Cavaliers and Sunfires were fucking KNOWN for cluster failure. Another bugaboo, most with the Cavaliers for some reason, was the HVAC controls and seats breaking.

True about the dealer. I'll send a photo of the door sticker and vin later, heading to work now. Seems Canada and Mexico have this NAFTA thing going on? U.S. not invited to that party? Does seem odd.

Posted by Samurai that car can't be made in mexico... by the late 1990's all production was in either Janesvile WI, or Lordstown OH, with production shifting solely to Lordstown. Ramos Arizipe was only involved in the gen 1 and 2 cars and now the hatchback Cruze. can you PM me the VIN #? And that mechanic at the dealership was full of shit. The late 2003 thru 2005 Cavaliers and Sunfires were fucking KNOWN for cluster failure. Another bugaboo, most with the Cavaliers for some reason, was the HVAC controls and seats breaking.

Will PM if needed, as you suggested, not really worried, but probably best not to put the VIN out there.

Here's info, thanks, interested in whatever you find on it. My (now sold) 95 Tahoe was built in Janesville. 80 Malibu wagon; Leeds Plant Kansas City. 80 Cheyenne not sure. Still have those two.

Posted by Samurai that car can't be made in mexico... by the late 1990's all production was in either Janesvile WI, or Lordstown OH, with production shifting solely to Lordstown. Ramos Arizipe was only involved in the gen 1 and 2 cars and now the hatchback Cruze. can you PM me the VIN #? And that mechanic at the dealership was full of shit. The late 2003 thru 2005 Cavaliers and Sunfires were fucking KNOWN for cluster failure. Another bugaboo, most with the Cavaliers for some reason, was the HVAC controls and seats breaking.

Seeing if a higher res photo will send... Guess it did.

See other post.

wow, you were right... that's a Mexican sunfire

Thumbs up and thanks. Kind of funny how the auto industry has it that a car built mid year can be the next years model. 64 1/2 Mustang maybe the exception in modern cars...

https://www.though...rd-mustang-2464594

https://www.youtub...atch?v=uUK79LRP-Nc

On that note; The nasty film U Turn features this Mustang. Worth watching alone for Billy Bob Thornton as a mechanic.

Posted by Samurai wow, you were right... that's a Mexican sunfire

The vin starting with a 3 wasn't a give away?

I had a tow call the other day on a Sunfire with the same issue. I ended up fixing it on the spot as the owner didnt have the chassis ground wire on the engine connected.

Did someone really call for a tow because their tach quit and speedo was acting up? Or their car conked out and you got them going with the ground wire fix? Good job. Did the ground wire fix bring the tach back to life? I'm hoping there might be other reasons for the cluster acting up.

Also; the previous owner said he fills up at about 1/3rd of a tank, because it ran rough or something at lower fuel levels. Starting now at 1/4 tank, there a one or two second buzz, (fuel pump?) before it starts. Then fires up fine, no stumbling. Is this maybe a sign my fuel pump is weak, or on the way out? Thanks for any input. The gas mileage is amazing, but prefer my 96 Cutlass for size comfort etc. Decent little car though.

Posted by Agent Skelly The vin starting with a 3 wasn't a give away? I had a tow call the other day on a Sunfire with the same issue. I ended up fixing it on the spot as the owner didnt have the chassis ground wire on the engine connected.

Posted by A. Lien Did someone really call for a tow because their tach quit and speedo was acting up? Or their car conked out and you got them going with the ground wire fix? Good job. Did the ground wire fix bring the tach back to life? I'm hoping there might be other reasons for the cluster acting up. Also; the previous owner said he fills up at about 1/3rd of a tank, because it ran rough or something at lower fuel levels. Starting now at 1/4 tank, there a one or two second buzz, (fuel pump?) before it starts. Then fires up fine, no stumbling. Is this maybe a sign my fuel pump is weak, or on the way out? Thanks for any input. The gas mileage is amazing, but prefer my 96 Cutlass for size comfort etc. Decent little car though.

All the gagues on the cluster were out; the owner didn't like the idea of not knowing how fast he was going. He wanted to tow it to a shop to fix it at least.