I'm still sort of new here so just for some background info:

Purchased a 98 SE last week for $500 (222,XXX miles).

Anyway, I drove it for over 500 miles since and since my Jimmy needed a service I figured it would be a good day to bring them both.

Problems:

Rattle from exhaust
Check Guages light comes on all the time
Missing Remote Unlock
Trunk lock port doesn't work with provided key
Sensor/Wire hanging from bottom of car

Here'* what they did:

1. Full oil change, Mobile 1 Full Synth (my idea for FS)
2. New Remote + Coding
3. Rattle Fixed (apparently bolts on exhaust shield rusted and broke, replaced bolts)
4. Ordered new trunk cylinder, will replace when arrives
5. Wire was e-brake...zip-tied, told never to use again.
6. Check Guages Light - Problem in I/P Cluster

Total: $178.26

I can't tell you how happy I am. Nothing major is wrong with the vehicle, even for the high miles. I know I could have gotten the remote cheaper on ebay but since I wasn't sure if the system would work, I'd rather spend more and have the dealer do it, and if it didn't work I wouldn't be charged, vs spend money on ebay and it might not work. He said my guages are fine, levels are good, the I/P Cluster thing is the problem...$500 or so fix. Obviously I'm not doing it.

Is this a common issue?

I asked about using a junker cluster...they said they would do the swap of the I/P thing for $100 if I provided the part. Is it worth it?

Overall he said it'* in good shape for the miles and saw very little wrong with the car, especially considering it'* a MI vehicle.

Thanks,
Erik

IP swap is easy. Don't pay. Instructions are in Techinfo.

Yeah I saw those, still seems compliated for me.

I'm not very good at DIY type things. :(

Maybe I'll have a friend look at it and see if we can do it together (two heads and all).

Erik

ok the cluster swap is simple....not hard at ALL....hook up with another MI Member on here (there are tons) and get er done

Can we back up and have you drive to an Autozone or like place and ask that they scan the car for free.

To my knowledge there hasn't ever been a bad cluster with an issue of Check Engine Light.

That'* actually tough to get because that'* simply a wire running to the cluster from the PCM.

Actually it'* not a CEL it'* a Check Guages Light. There are both on this car, right?

Erik

Haha, that'* an idea. Any Central MI resident want to help, 6-pack and a pizza pie in it for you.

Erik

Ok, well..if the dealer diagnosed that, they had to unplug the PCM and check two wires for short to ground to come up with that diagnosis.

Seems a little low cost for the dealer. Looks like you got a good deal.

I trust the dealer, they've done a lot of work (well, not a lot, but 2 years worth) on my Jimmy, always good service. They actually charged me $10 more for the clicker then they original quoted, but since they did so much and the price wasn't bad, I didn't complain.

Erik

No one thinks it odd for a DEALER to zip tie up the e-brake and say never use it again?