Hello everyone my name is Mason. I just purchased a 2000 Pontiac Bonneville a week ago. Time for some background... First of all, I am 18 years old. I purchased my first car at 16. It was a 1993 Grand Prix. I got it into an accident, and so I purchased another one, it was a 1994 Grand Prix. Four months later the trans blew. All of these cars when I purchased them hardly worked at all. Now, I turn 18. I saved up some money, and after working for 1 full summer, and one full school year, purchased an American car, rather the the current foreign trend, that I really wanted. I purchased a Black 2000 Pontiac Bonneville 3800 II. Built in my home state of Michigan. The car was in great physical shape, and it was a good price with only 80,000 miles. I bought it, but I knew it needed a little TLC. Here is where my problems start.

I am going to list these problems that I am currently having from the time that I have discovered them, none of them have been fixed, and I am not sure how to fix them. I have worked on cars in the past and am pretty up to date with the lingo associated with repairing vehicles. I personally own a GM Tech II Diagnostic that I can use if need be. I am also close with GM Directors and Electronic Engineers, but I would like to use those resources as a last resort. OK, here we go.

1. Power Windows / Power Locks : So far, only the driver door power locks and power windows work. I am not sure why, but neither the lights for the switches or the switches themselves actually work on any other door but the driver door.

2. Backlit gauges : This is a multi part problem and the most important that I get fixed, or it might be solved by one solution, you tell me...

Part A. My gauges were for some reason not backlighting. I checked out this issue, but found out that the bulb was burned out. Later, I replaced it, but still nothing. I ran a 12V power to the same channel as the positive and negative and another light turned on inside of the unit, this light only lit up part of the dash. So currently, none of the back lights work on my main gauges, so at night they are useless.

Part B. I have access to change the main red bulb on the back of the gauge cluster, I did so, but when I lit up the gauges, I noticed that there were others that I did not have access too. Two of the lights work, but now I notice that there is another part of the cluster that looks to be burnt out, how do I replace the other bulb in the cluster? So far, I have popped off the black backing to the cluster, and found out that the needles to the gauges are connect to the whole cluster. Do I need to take the needles off?

Part C. Is there a part of the vehicle that would override the manual interior on and off of the gauge cluster back light dimming?

3. Oil Pressure : Despite the lack of back lighting on the gauges, they work great during the day, so they are not a problem during that time. One gauge however is locked which is the oil pressure gauge. It is literally tacked on 120. Now, I have a hunch that it is the oil sender switch, but if anyone else has had this problem, please let me know before I go buy the wrong part. I would like to know what the part is, and if there is a link, because no auto stores around here supply that part, so it would need to be ordered either through them or via the internet.

4. Backlighting on Delco Deck : I have a Delco deck. It has a red back lighting. The left 2/3 of the screen works great, but the right side seams to be burnt out. I have been doing a little research, and have seen that it is possible to fix this. I am wondering if anyone has a guide to doing so, or a little insight on how to fix, or better yet, where to order the bulb needed.

Thanks everyone, I really want to thank you for taking your time to read this. I really hope to hear from you!

Okay..this is quite the list of problems. In the future, try to limit one problem to a post in the appropriate area...that way you can get better help and not scare readers away with a long post.

The back lighting on the radio - I have read varying degrees of success on fixing it. However; I have not found any detailed How To'*. When mine burned out, I found a replacement on eBay that was in my budget.

Oil Pressure - Yep..it'* the sender. The sender is mounted on the oil filter adapter on the passenger side of the car.

Back Lit Gauges - I've never replaced bulbs in my cluster, but having had similar problems on different vehicles, the needles need to come off, so you can pull the screen printed part off to get to the gauges. Let'* see if someone else can chime in on your particular back lit problem.

Power Window/Locks - Sounds like there is a communication loop problem from your drivers door module to the other door modules. The dealer can run a Tech II scan of you communications system and can provide a list of what'* being pinged and not pinged. you can then go to a salvage yard and get the parts and replace them yourself.

Thanks for the reply, I really appreciate it. Ok, when it comes to the gauges... If I pull them off, will they possibly loose their location and not be accurate anymore, or is it a type of thing where they will only go on one way. I know that the bonneville will re-calibrate them when it starts up and stuff, but I am not sure. I think I have someone that will fix my radio for me and fix the back lighting. Thanks for the help with the sender, I have ordered the part and it is on its way. Here is the only problem. I have hooked up 12Volts to the entire cluster and nothing lights up except the Park, Drive, Reverse, Etc. and the Odometer.

agree a scan would be good choice better than buying parts you dont need not counting the time to install not needed goods

So, If I were to look at your dashboard at night, only your PRND321 in the instrument cluster would be lit up?

My sender was also doing the same thing as yours. Rockauto.com is the way to go. You will want the part called the oil pressure switch, with gauge.

As far as the lights in your climate control, those need LEDs to be re-soldered.

Edit -- Late Post.

That is correct, only the PRDN321 is lit up. Along with the blinkers, brights, service engine soon, mph, and the leds on the system diagnostic thing (not the glow around it). The red back glow isn't lighting up, nor is the RPM x1000. here are some pictures of where I am at currently. I have been working everyday after school until late at night, trying to figure these problems out. I am working on the largest problems first, and that is the back lit gauges. Please if anyone knows what might be wrong please let me know. So far I have replaced the light bulb in the gauge cluster, but i am unsure if that is the only one, or if i need to take it apart. Taking it apart : The needles appear to be connected, so it looks like I would have to remove them to take the main board off. Would this mess up their positioning? Please let me know before I do this. Thanks.

Pictures Taken 12:36PM EST May 15, 2009

Mine burnt out in my SE in the fall. I gave up trying to figure it out, and caved in and paid $75 at the local yard to replace mine.

If you choose to go this route, make sure you swap out your mileage chip!!!